Salmon River Complex

Yesterday, evening multiple fires started along the Salmon River near Sawyers Bar. Most were contained early and kept small. Two grew to significant size over the night.

As of 6 a.m. Aug. 1, the Boulder Fire was about 10 acres. The Shelly Fire was about 60 acres.

Fifty-three personnel, 10 engines and one water-tender worked through the night containing three fires and constructing line on the Boulder and Shelly fires. Multiple air resources, including retardant tanker planes, are planned to join the effort today if smoke allows.

The Shelly Fire is of the most concern at this time. It is burning in timber fuels on steep, difficult terrain.

Highway 93 is closed near Butler Flat for fire debris rolling across the road. Klamath National Forest Fire personnel ask motorists to use caution when traveling in the area.

The cause of these fires is under investigation.

Basic Information

Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Under Investigation
Date of Origin Wednesday July 31st, 2013 approx. 07:00 PM
Location Sawyers Bar, CA

Current Situation

Total Personnel 53
Size 60 acres
Fuels Involved Timber

Outlook

Planned Actions Line construction and containment. Air resources ordered.
Terrain Difficulty Difficult

 

Klamath National Forest
U.S. Forest Service
1711 S. Main Street
Yreka, CA 96097

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News Release Orleans Complex

Fire Information 530/618-2101 (phone line staffed from 8am to 8pm)

The Orleans Complex is comprised of two fires, the Butler Fire (new) and the Dance Fire (detected 7/29).

The Butler Fire, on the Six Rivers National Forest, is located approximately 10 miles east of Somes Bar, California. The fire was detected at approximately 10pm on July 31, 2013. It is currently burning on both sides of the Salmon River and is 0% contained, with active burning and torching. Northern California Interagency Team 2 (Johnson) will take command of the Butler Fire at 6pm tonight.

The following closures are in effect:

o Highway 93 (Forks of the Salmon Road) is closed at Oak Bottom Campground

o Nordheimer Flat Campground is closed

o The Salmon River, and land along the river, is closed between Wooley Creek and Nordheimer Campground

The Dance Fire, also located on the Six Rivers National Forest (adjacent to the community of Orleans) is currently 90% contained and holding at approximately 627 acres.

The causes of both fires are under investigation.

Basic Information

Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Under Investigation
Date of Origin Sunday July 28th, 2013 approx. 05:00 PM
Location near Orleans, California
Incident Commander Johnson

Current Situation

Total Personnel 500
Size 626 acres
Fuels Involved Timber and Brush
Fire Behavior Dance Fire– smoldering, Butler Fire– torching and spotting

Outlook

Growth Potential High
Terrain Difficulty High
Remarks The Orleans Complex is comprised of two fires, the Dance Fire (detected 7/29) and the Butler Fire (new). Norcal Team 2 (Johnson) will manage the Orleans Complex as of 6pm on August 1, 2013.

 

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Aspen Fire

Update #15

Release for Thursday, August 1, 2013/Time: 7:00 AM

Incident Statics

Acres Burned: 16,204 Structures Threatened: 3

Containment: 40% Structures Damaged: 0

Fire Start Date: July 22, 2013 Injuries: 2

Fire Cause: Lightning Total Personnel: 1947

Cost to date: $12.8 million

Summary

  • The Fire is located within the Sierra National Forest in Fresno County and is approximately seven miles North of Big Creek. It is currently burning off Stump Springs Road, North of Aspen Springs. The South Central Sierra Interagency Incident Management Team is in command of the Aspen Fire.
  • The inversion layer continues to cause smoke to accumulate in the low laying areas of the fire which hampers visibility of firefighters on the ground and in the air. As the smoke clears in the early afternoon, a more defined smoke column(s) may be seen from several miles away. As the evening progresses, the inversion returns causing the smoke to return into the lower levels.
  • Recreation and businesses remain open in the Shaver Lake, Huntington Lake, Lake Thomas Edison, Florence Lake and the Mono Hot Springs areas.

Fire Update

  • Firefighter and public safety remains the highest priority. Fire crews are being sensitive to environmental and cultural resources in and around the fire area.
  • Last nights infrared images showed the fire growth continued in the northeast and southeast areas of the fire perimeter. Fire crews continued to make good progress with indirect attack operations, but access and fire behavior are still a major safety concern for fire crews. Air and ground resources continue to construct and reinforce indirect line around the fires perimeter. The Very Large Air Tanker (VLAT) DC-10 was also utilized in the effort.
  • Due to the extremely steep, rugged and inaccessible terrain, fire crews are using a tactic called indirect attack which creates control lines away from the fires active edge. Air resources, including several helicopters and air tankers are being utilized along the fire-line to slow the forward progress of the fire and to cool down hot spots. As the situation changes and firefighters can safely gain access to the fire, a more direct attack will be implemented.
  • Smoke from the Aspen Fire continues to impact air quality in local communities. Crews will utilize firing operations over the next three days to assist with enforcing containment lines. Firing operations are actions taken to remove unburned fuels between the active fire line and the contingency lines which fire crews have been creating over the past several days. The operation will put additional smoke into the atmosphere.

An air quality monitoring device has been installed at the Huntington Lake Volunteer Fire Station. The device will provide smoke data from the Aspen Fire to the air resource advisor and the area air pollution control districts.

Individuals sensitive to smoke are advised to remain indoors and keep windows closed to minimize exposure to smoke. For more information regarding smoke visit: www.valleyair.org

Road and Trail Closures

Roads:

Stump Springs Road is closed to all traffic due to fire suppression activity. Minarets Road (4S81) from Fish Creek to Jackass Rock Organization Campground, Grizzly at Beasore Road to Minarets Road are closed to the public. Residents within the road closure are allowed into the area with valid identification.

Trails:

Per the U.S. Forest Service Closure Order Number 15-13-09, all trails within the Kaiser Wilderness are closed.

Closures

Campground closures within the Sierra National Forest are as follows:

Sample Meadow West Kaiser

Jackass Rock Organization Lower Chiquito

Little Jackass Soda Springs

Placer Sweet Water

China Bar Rock Creek

Mammoth Pool Wagners Mammoth Pool Resort

Fish Creek

The following campgrounds are closed to house firefighters for suppression efforts:

Midge Creek, Badger Flat and Rancheria.

Cooperating agencies include

The U.S. Forest Service, National Parks Service, U.S. Department of Defense, National Weather Service, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, Fresno County Sheriff, Madera County Sheriff, California Highway Patrol, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Southern California Edison, PG&E, California Conservation Corp.

For more information on this press release, please contact the Aspen Fire Information line at (559) 893-7018. Updated information can also be obtained at http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3552/ or by following the Sierra National Forest Twitter Account:@sierra_nf

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Dance Fire

Six Rivers National Forest

August 1, 2013, 8:00 a.m.

Dance Fire Update

Detected: Monday, July 29, 5:00 p.m.

Cause: Under Investigation

Fuels: Timber and Brush

Estimated Size: 627 acres (Acreage decrease is due to GPS mapping)

Containment: 90%

Committed Resources: Approximately 491

Structures Damaged or Destroyed: 1 home, 2 outbuildings

Summary:

Fire Information 530/618-2101 (phone line staffed from 8am to 8pm)

The Dance Fire, located on the Six Rivers National Forest, is located adjacent to Orleans, California. Northern California Interagency Team 2 is managing the incident and, effective 9:00 a.m. yesterday, July 31st, all evacuations have been lifted.

Good progress continues in strengthening control lines. Crews will continue mop-up around the edges of the fire, removing weakened trees and looking for hot spots. Residents and visitors to the area may continue to see smoke as isolated pockets within the fireline continue to burn remaining fuels.

Fire managers will be at the Karuk Department of Natural Resources at 6:00 p.m. August 2nd, to give an operational update.

http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3571

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Basic Information

Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Under Investigation
Date of Origin Monday July 29th, 2013 approx. 05:15 PM
Location Adjacent to community of Orleans
Incident Commander Matt Johnson

Current Situation

Total Personnel 491
Size 627 acres
Percent Contained 90%
Estimated Containment Date Friday August 02nd, 2013 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels Involved Timber and brush
Fire Behavior Fire smoldering and creeping. Backing fires occurring with less than two ft flame length.
Significant Events Acreage has decreased due to GPS mapping. Pockets of unburned vegetation within the fire perimeter continues to ignite.

Outlook

Planned Actions Crews will continue mop up and patrol today, with a special emphasis on residential areas.
Growth Potential Low
Terrain Difficulty High

Current Weather

Wind Conditions 20 mph W
Temperature 85 degrees
Humidity 30%

 

Source:  Inciweb.org

 

2013  The NW Fire Blog