CFN - CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS - CAL FIRE NEWS : Antelope Complex Wildland Fire - UPDATE

Sunday, July 8, 2007

Antelope Complex Wildland Fire - UPDATE - 14,700 acres

Antelope Complex Wildland Fire

INCIDENT UPDATED 1750 hrs

Antelope Complex Briefing Map
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Summary

Antelope Complex

Fire Information

Plumas National Forest

Phone: (530) 283-7882 / (530) 283-7883

Rapid growth continued yesterday on the Antelope Complex, fueled by unseasonably high temperatures and low humidity. Active burning create smoke plume visible throughout the area. The fire is estimated to be 14,700 acres and 10 percent contained. No structures have been lost from this large blaze.

A forest closure remains in effect for an approximately 60 square mile perimeter around Antelope Lake to ensure public safety. As of 6:00 p.m. Saturday July, 7, a California Type 1 Management Team under Incident Commander Jeanne Pincha-Tulley assumed control of the Antelope Complex Wildland Fire in support of the Plumas National Forest. Firefighters have confirmed that campground facilities, as well as private property in the area, remain undamaged due to significant protection efforts. Spotting over containment lines to the has proven to be the most significant challenge.

Campers that left equipment at evacuated campsites can retrieve it at 9:00 a.m. Monday. They will be escorted by CHP from the checkpoint on Genesee-Antelope Lake Road to the campsites and must immediately remove their equipment. The same opportunity will be available through Wednesday, unless fire behavior prohibits entry.

Statistics: Acres - 14,700 Containment - 10 percent Personnel - 828

Outlook - Weather is predicted to be hot and dry through Sunday with thunder storms predicted Monday and Tuesday. Extremely dry fuels are significantly affecting fire behavior.

Basic Information

Incident Type	Wildland Fire
Cause	Lightning
Date of Origin	07/05/2007 at 1600 hrs.
Location	Antelope Lake Recreational Area
Incident Commander	Jeanne Pincha-tulley

Current Situation

Total Personnel	828
Size	14,700 acres
Percent Contained	10%
Estimated Containment Date	07/12/2007 at hrs.
Fuels Involved	Mature heavy timber overstory with brush understory, large quantities of dead fuels, snags, mixed conifers, large brush components. Extremely dry 100/1000 hour fuels and live fuels.
Fire Behavior	Moderate, but active fire behavior from 8:00 p.m. hrs. through early morning. Slow and continuous fire spread on all flanks. Minor amounts of torching with spotting.
Significant Events	Held and improved hand and dozer line. Scouted for dozer line on S/E perimeter. Evacuations in Plumas County continue on the North and East of the fire. Plans are being considered for the evacuation of Janesville, if neccessary.

Outlook

Planned Actions	Continue to hold and improve hand and dozer line where safe. Scout for dozer line on southeast perimeter. Establish anchor points for portions of the Wheeler Fire to maximize use of roads, fuel treated areas, old burn scars and rocks.
Projected Movement	The fire is expected to move 1.5 miles to the Northeast and approximately ½ mile in all other directions.
Growth Potential	Extreme
Terrain Difficulty	High
Remarks	Not available

Weather

Current Wind Conditions	Not available
Current Temperature	Not available
Current Humidity	Not available

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Every year in California thousands of wildfires start throughout the state. In most cases, the dispatch center sending the initial resources to a wildland fire will designate a name for the fire, but the first on scene engine or fire official can also name the incident. Fires are usually named for the area in which they start – a geographical location, local landmark, street, lake, mountain, peak, etc. Quickly naming the fire provides responding fire resources with an additional locater, and allows fire officials to track and prioritize incidents by name. For example during the Southern California Fire Siege of 2003, the largest wildland fire in California history, the Cedar Fire in San Diego County, was named after the Cedar Creek Falls area where it started. The destructive Old Fire, which burned during the same time period in San Bernardino County, was named after the road along which it started - Old Waterman Canyon Road.

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