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Monday, July 9, 2007

InciWeb: Update - Antelope Complex Wildland Fire

Antelope Complex Wildland Fire

INCIDENT UPDATED

Credit: California Incident Managment Team

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Summary

Antelope Complex

Fire Information

Plumas National Forest

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

A town meetingwas heldtonight at 7 p.m. at the Janesville Elementary Middle School gymnasium on Main Street in Janesville. Representatives of the County Office of Emergency Services and the Antelope Complex Incident Commanderwere on hand to discuss fire activity, operations, and outlook as well as evacuation plans with members of the public.

No evacuations are currently in place for the Janesville and Milford areas. A contingency plan has been prepared to provide adequate time for residents should it become necessary. Residents should prepare personal effects in advance, as well as plan to take livestock to the Lassen County Fairgrounds.

Rapid growth continued yesterday on the Antelope Complex, fueled by unseasonably high temperatures and low humidity. Active burning created smoke plume visible throughout the area. The fire is estimated to be22,366 acres and 21 percent contained.

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. Spotting over containment lines has proven to be the most significant challenge.

Campers that left equipment at evacuated campsites around Antelope Lake as well as evacuated residents in the Hungry Creek, Frank Valley, Taylor Lake, and Wilcox Valley will also be permitted into the fire area at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday unless fire behavior becomes prohibitive. They will be escorted by CHP from the checkpoint on Genesee-Antelope Lake Road to campsites and residences for the immediate retrieval of personal property. Affected members of the public should call (530) 283-7882 or (530) 283-7883 for more information.

Statistics: Acres - 22,366 Containment - 21 percent Personnel - 1,487

Helicopters - 9 Crews - 40 Engines - 112 Dozers - 14

Outlook - Weather is predicted to be hot and dry 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 0400 hrs.
Location	Antelope Lake Recreational Area
Incident Commander	Jeanne Pincha-tulley

Current Situation

Total Personnel	1,386
Size	18,100 acres
Percent Contained	21%
Fuels Involved	Mature heavy timber overstory with brush understory, large quantities of dead fuels, snags, mixed conifers, large brush components. Extremely dry fuels.
Fire Behavior	An inversion remained over the fire for most of the day. A general north wind limited fire spread on the northern perimeter and caused the northeast portion of the fire to move primarily in a southerly direction. Intense burning with extensive torching occurred on active portions of the fire. The fire moved to the west across Middle Creek.
Significant Events	The fire made a run toward the south on the northeast perimeter due to north winds and on the west perimeter toward Franks Valley and Wilcox Valley. Hand and dozer line construction continued in all divisions. Burnout operations continued on the southwest perimeter. The Long, Slope, Creek and Meadow Fires were contained

Outlook

Planned Actions	Continue to establish anchor points on the Wheeler Fire to maximize use of roads, fuel treated areas, old burn scars and rocks. Continue to construct dozer and handline, secure and hold line. Patrol, mop-up and prep roads for burnout operations on southeast perimeter.
Projected Movement	The fire is expected to move 1.5 miles to the Northwest and approximately ½ mile in all other directions.
Growth Potential	Extreme
Terrain Difficulty	High
Remarks	Evacuations for the communities of Wilcox Valley, Taylor Lake, Franks Valley and Hungry Creek remain in effect with limited access for residents and coordinated through Law Enforcement. Evacuation plan with trigger points has been established for the community of Janesville with approximately 5,000 residents.

Weather

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

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