It is only Thursday of this week and, as one weather tracker said it perfectly – “It’s been the driest year in forty years including nearly all of the northern portion of the State, the entire length of Sierra Nevada and the wide areas of both the southern part and the Mohave Desert in California.”
Due to the sheer number of wildfires that ignited this afternoon and into the evening, we are going to group these together to help avoid catching your social media ablaze!
94 FIRE | Barrett Junction (San Diego County)
Credit: CAL FIRE/San Diego Co FD
Started 4/29/2021 Thursday.
Located in the intersection of Campo Road (CA-94) and Barrett Junction and near the community of Potrero.3 total acres. Tankers 70, 71 and Copters 12 and 129 were on-scene. Cause: Car fire into wildfire interface.
Status: Forward ROS stopped. Mopping up.
BURSO FIRE | South of Campo Fire (Calaveras County)
Started 4/29/2021 Thursday.
Fire reported 1502 PT. Located south of the Campo Fire. 2 acres with moderate rate of spread. One structure was threatened. Copter 404 was tasked with dropping overhead. Was located behind a church at Highway 12 and Burson Road.
Status: Forward ROS stopped.
CAMPO FIRE | Valley Springs (Calaveras County)
Started 4/29/2021 Thursday.
Located off of buckboard Lane x Campo Seco Road.
CAL FIRE firefighters responded at 1328 PT for a brush fire near Valley Springs in Calaveras County. 1st due reported 3-4 acres with moderate of spread burning uphill. 1620 PT to a fire approximately 30 acres. It has now reached 150 acres. 0% containment status.
Credit: PGE
Air resources dipped from a local resident’s pond.
Incident Cooperators include: Calveras County OES, CAL FIRE TCU.
Mandatory evacuation orders in effect for: Lorea Road and for portions of Watertown and Paloma Roads.
Temp shelter open: Calaveras HS. 350 Highschool Street, San Andreas.
Status: 150 acres. 0% contained.
COUNTRY FIRE | Near Thousand Oaks (Ventura County)
Started 4/29/2021 Thursday.
Firefighters arrived approximately at 1538 PT to a 1-acre brush fire with moderate rate of spread. Fire crews quickly evaluated the access point and entered towards the perimeter.
Fire increased to about 10 acres at 1559, with the fire moving towards and bumping up against Via Colinas and Country Valley Roads. Structure protection was in place.
About 1,191 contacts were notified via the Ventura County emergency alert system. Mandatory evacuations were put into place.
60 firefighters are still assigned to this incident but some air resources are being released. Incident cooperators: VCFD, VCFD PIO, ToaksVCSO, County Ventura and the Ventura County Sheriff. Lead Fire Agency: Sutter County FD.
No reports of damage or destruction to homes; or injuries reported to civilians or firefighters.
Started 4/29/2021. Brush Fire. Located about 4-5 miles west of Upper Lake in Lake County. In timber and running uphill towards the ridgetop. Forward progression stopped at 1754. Some engines and a copter were released.
Located off of Morgan Valley Road and Sloan Ranch Road, southeast of Clearlake in Lake County. Lead Agency: CAL FIRE SLNU.
Status: 45 acres. 20% contained. [1615 PT]
VIRGENES FIRE | Agoura Hills (Los Angeles County)
Credit: Edison
Started 4/29/2021.
Located next to the 101 Freeway at Las Virgenes. VCFD units were dispatched at 1414 for a first alarm brush fire response. No structures were threatened but near a construction zone.
A wildfire is burning five miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada, near Highway 65 near the Peterson Reservoir (Miguel County), New Mexico. The fire ignited on April 23, 2021 around 1330 MT on private and state lands.
The fire has burned approximately 30 acres of brush and timber and is now 70% contained. Was burning on both sides of Highway 65.
Credit: Red Cross
Structures were under threat prompting evacuations but are no longer in effect.
Firefighters continue to work towards their full containment fire objectives, which include mopping up hot spots.
The cause is unknown and under investigation.
Incident cooperators include: NM Department of Forestry, Red Cross NM, San Miguel Office of Emergency Management, Miguel County Sheriff’s Office, Mayor Louie Trujillo.
Here is the Sit Rep for Monday, March 1, 2021, for all impacted United States of America and around the Globe as broken down by each state and country.
It’s dry out – wildfires can start in any area where dry brush and a spark meet. Roadside fires have been the most common, followed by escaped private burning, and fires in high-use target shooting and recreation and areas – always make sure your campfire is out cold. – BLM Arizona Fire
Photo Credit | BLM Arizona Fire
SPARROW FIRE. Black Water School Road and Sparrow Circle. Dispatched 1203 hours. 0.1 acre. Contained 1252 hours MST. Phoenix Interagency Fire Center.
LITTLE FIRE. I-40, mile marker 263 EB, seven miles southeast of Winslow. 400 acres. Resources BAT 1-1, BAT 1-2, CH1, CPTR 4-2and CPT 4-3. Originally dispatched 2/27/2021 1244 MST. AZ Dispatch Center.
DUB FIRE. BIA lands. 1 mile east of San Carlos. 402 acres. 80% contained. Brush and short grass. Moderate fire with running and torching. 15 total personnel. 1 crew and 2 engines. $50,000 cost-to-date. NIFC
CORONADO NATIONAL FOREST. Douglas Ranger District will burn up to 10 acres on Tuesday, March 2nd in the Cochise Stronghold to reduce hazardous fire fuels and the extreme threat of wildfire. This will also improve forest health, wildlife habitat and range/watershed conditions. – CNF
Photo Credit | CNF
CALIFORNIA
Did You Know?
The State of California continues to aid Butte County in its recovery from the Camp Fire. Wildfire residential debris recovery ended in November 2019. California is now focused on removing more than 80,000 trees at risk of falling on public property and public rights of way. Cal Recycle.
COVID 19 PAN IMT SUPPORT . Resource Order. Oakland, California. Dispatched 1623 hours. Plumas Emergency Comm Center.
CLEAR CREEK PILE BURN. Prescribed Fire. Clear Creek Ranger Station. Dispatched 1508 hours PT. Angeles ECC.
CALVERT FIRE. Started at 1505 hours. Off of Aberdeen Station Road and Old Hwy 395. South of Big Pine in Inyo County. 90 acres. 30% contained (1801). CAL FIRE.
GASQUET RANGER DISTRICT – COMPOUND ADMIN PILE. Prescribed Fire. Dispatched 1048 hours PT. North Coast Interagency Comm Center.
Did You Know?
Wildfires accounted for 1/2 of all air pollution in the Western US over recent years. – State of California CFO Steve Westly
CF/AB/37 FIRE. Bonita Falls. Dispatched 1427 hours. 0.1 acres. Federal Interagency Comm Center.
BDU-CALVERT FIRE. Aberdeen Road, east of Hwy 395. Dispatched 1336 hours PT. Owens Valley Interagency Comm Center.
VEG/AB/82A FIRE. Brush fire. 21500 block of Papago Road. Dispatched 1141 hours PT. Federal Interagency Comm Center.
VALLEY FIRE. Southbound I-5 South of 138 highway, Gorm. Dispatched 1108 hours PT. Resources SO #14RD #iEKIS. 0.3 acres. Angeles ECC.
EVERGREN FIRE. Brush fire. Units responded around 1500 hours. Off of Evergreen Road and Old Gold Road in Bowman. Contained to 5 acres. Firefighters in mop up operations. Photo Credit (below). CAL FIRE TGU.
BIG PINE UNITS 1 BURN. Jackson Lake. Dispatched 0941 hours PT. Angeles ECC.
MINDEN HTF MARKLEVILLE. Prescribed Fire. Dispatched 1040 PT. 5-10 acres. Tahoe National Forest.
CORBIN FIRE. Dispatched 0959. Mendocino National Forest.
LOUISIANA
CRACKLIN FIRE. 6 miles south of Hackberry. 300 acres that’s 50% contained. No resources on this fire. $15,000 cost-to-date. Moderate fire behavior with backing, smoldering and flanking. NIFC.
BURGER CAMP FIRE. Wayne County, Jones County Line. District of Chickasawhay. Dispatched 1120 hours.5 acres. Mississippi Interagency Coordination Center Dispatched 2/28/2021 1120 hours. Contained 2/28/2021 1404 hours PT.
HIGHWAY 200 FIRE. Highway 200. 150 acres. Dispatched 1453 hours. E272 and E672 responded. North Dakota Interangecy Dispatch Center.
OKLAHOMA
FIELD FIRE. Okmulgee Field Office. 355 acres. 100% contained. 9 total person with two engines. Bureau of Indian Affairs land. NIFC
DEAD PASTURE FIRE. Oklahoma Department of Forestry. 385 acres. 100% contained. 4 total personnel and 2 engines. $2,000 cost-to-date. NIFC.
. BURRIS VALLEY ROAD FIRE. 3 miles NE of Daisy. Hardwood litter. Started 2/28/2021. 195 acres. 75% contained. 5 total personnel. 2 engines. $3,000 cost-to-date. Moderate fire behavior with creeping. NIFC
BLACKSMITH FIRE. 2 miles NE of Peggs. Timber fire fuels. 203 acres. 90% contained. 4 total personnel with 2 engines. Moderate fire behavior that is threatening structures. NIFC.
BLUFF FIRE. 1 mile south of Bluff. 120 acres. 95% contained. 1 person on 1 engine on-scene. Hardwood litter and grass. Minimal fire behavior. NIFC.
SOUTH DAKOTA
RAP ATB SUPPORT 2121. Resource Order. Rapid City Air Tanker Base. Dispatched 0846. Great Plains Interagency Dispatch Center.
DRIFT FIRE. 4 miles ENE of Summerset (Meade County), South Dakota. SDS E669 resources sent. 0.1 acres. Contained 3/1/2021 1718 hours. Controlled 3/1/2021 1816 hours. Great Plains Interagency Dispatch Center.
TEXAS
Did You Know?
There are currently 26 personnel responding to the winter weather incident. Since February 11, a total of 196 personnel from TFS and TIFMAS as well as Regional All-Hazard Incident Management Team members from across Texas have been mobilized to respond. – Texas A&M Forest Service
Photo Credit | Texas A&M Forest Service
PIGEON ROOST FIRE. 4 miles SW of Boswell. Tall grass fire fuels. Started 2/28/2021. 745 acres. 75% contained. 49 total personnel. 22 engines. $13,000 cost-to-date. Extreme fire behavior with running. Structures are threatened.
UTAH
QUARRY ROAD FIRE. Quarry Road. Dispatched 1413. Short grass fire fuels. 20 acres. Contained at 1610 hours and under control 1720 hours. Richfield Interagency Fire Center.
WEST VIRGINIA
Fire Fact | March 1st is the start of the State’s annual fire season through May 31st. Burn bans are now in effect. WV Forestry.
Photo Credit | WV Forestry
ALBERTA, CANADA
Did You Know?
Alberta’s wildfire season starts on March 1st and fire permits are required for most burning in the Forest Protection area. – Alberta Wildfire
Photo Credit | Alberta Wildfire
JAPAN
TOCHIGI PREFECTURE FIRE. Forest fire. Started 2/21/2021. Near the City of Ashikaga in the Tochigi Prefecture 85KM north of Tokyo. At least 1800 buildings were evacuated on February 24th. Has been fully contained after 9 days. It was a wind-driven wildfire. No injuries reported or structure loss or damages reported.
A second wildfire was burning in another prefecture north of Toyko in Gunma on February 24th but that one appears to be out. via Social Media, news outlets
WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA
JONKERSHOEK FIRE. Cape Winelands District Municipality. Unknown start date or acreage. Firefighters have a good knockdown on fire. Not fully contained. Fire lines in Jonkershoek through Blaauwklippen have been fully contained. Light rain fell over the fire ground and made some positive impacts. Crews will continue to complete mop-up objectives.
If you want to know what our firefighters have to contend with, this is only a few seconds of a 24+ hour operational period.
Video of @NCCEnviron Type 1 – Alpha and Bravo crews in the mountains high above the Helderberg Basin.
Fire in the Banhoek area still has active fire behavior in an accessible area. Teams are due to lay line throughout the night. No loss of lives but two Cape Nature field officers are in the hospital with serious burn injuries. Premier Alan Winde.
(c) 2021 NW Fire Blog – Updated3/1/2021 2230 hours PT
As the 2021 Fire Season starts ramping up across the United States, we will be bringing daily Sit Reps as a combined post excluding the Northwest (Washington State and Oregon). Should the fire season become like 2020, posts will be broken down by each State or if they are multiple incidents into separate Fire Incidents.
ALABAMA
SC QUAL 11, 12 and 6. Prescribed fires. Incident #ALF-210090. Shoal Creek. 758 acres. Dispatched 0742. Alabama Interagency Coordination Center.
KNOLLS FIRE. Malibu Canyon Road and Malibu Knolls Road. LA County FD units responded at 0429 hours this morning to a .25 acre fire in medium fuels with strong winds out of the north and structures threatened. The second alarm was called immediately and a request for two additional copters for a total of three. Copter 19 confirmed a second brush fire in the area of Serra Retreat just under a mile east of the KNOLLS FIRE. (0451 hours). At 0500 hours, main fire increased to two acres that were having immediate threats to structures in the area; the second fire was knocked down by Copter 19. Units were being set-up for structure protection. Forward progress was stopped at four acres. Residents were sheltering-in-place. Dozers and rest of the resources were released at 0542 hours. Two LACoFD Firehawk helos were used during the early morning aerial fire operations. Held at 4.8 acres and there were about 200 firefighters that fought this stubborn brush fire. No cause has been released. (Sources: LA Co Fire Ops, LA Co FD)
Credit | LA Co Fire Ops
PINE RIDGE FIRE. Mutual Aid call/wildfire. 4500 block of Pine Ridge Avenue (San Diego County). dispatched 1024. Incident #CNF-622. This was a house fire into brush. Firefighters held it to a 10 x 10 spot with heavy winds. Crews got it knocked down super fast. Cleveland National Forest Dispatch Center.
FLORIDA
FIRE FACT | Florida states they are the leader in the use of Prescribed Fires in the United States. They are reducing the risk of devastation, protecting lives and their homes. (Source: FFS Everglades)
FIRE FACT | In 2019, one of Missouri’s residents flew to California, rented a car and worked on setting 13 wildfires. He tried to fly home after attending his 50th high school reunion. Multiple agencies came together on this case. The MO man was arrested and charged. he committed no arsons in his own state. (Source: News media)
BURGER CAMP FIRE. Wayne County, Jones County Line. District of Chickasawhay. Dispatched 1120 hours. Mississippi Interagency Coordination Center
BIENVILLE CPT 64 FIRE. Prescribed Fire. Jasper County Roads 506 and 507. Scott Company. District of Bienville. Dispatched at 0842 hours. Mississippi Interagency Coordination Center.
