CFN - CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS - CAL FIRE NEWS : Inciweb Update: China-back Complex - Wildland Fire- total acres burned at 2,828, and containment at 50%

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Inciweb Update: China-back Complex - Wildland Fire- total acres burned at 2,828, and containment at 50%

China-back Complex Wildland Fire

INCIDENT UPDATED 19:09 hrs.

Summary

The China and Back fires which started as a result of severe lightning from thunderstorms last week, continue to have smoke visible from Yreka and motorists on Interstate 5. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), US Forest Service, and multiple agencies remain in Unified Command and continue to engage in fire suppression throughout the area.

The last 48 hours of aggressive firefighting and favorable weather have again given fire crews an advantage with the China Fire. The fire control line established two days prior has held the fire in check, with total acres burned at 2,828, and containment at 50% . Forty structures along the control lines near the Klamath River continue to be threatened and are being monitored by firefighters as life safety is still the priority in this battle.

State Highway 96 between State Highway 263 and Scott River Road have been reopened to all motorists. However, motorists are cautioned to drive carefully since fire crews are working in the area, and smoke may occasionally reduce visibility.

The Back Fire has a fire containment line established around the fire perimeter and will require additional work to ensure complete extinguishment.

691 firefighters are working on the fires. Three firefighters sustained heat related injuries yesterday and are expected to recover.

Trees of Heaven Campground on Highway 96 still has remained closed for public use.

Basic Information

Incident Type	Wildland Fire
Cause	Lightning
Date of Origin	07/10/2007 at 00 hrs.
Location	12 miles west of Yreka, Calif
Incident Commander	Norm Walker

Current Situation

Total Personnel	769
Size	2,828 acres
Percent Contained	85%
Estimated Containment Date	07/21/2007 at hrs.
Fuels Involved	Timber
Fire Behavior	The fire continues to burn through the dry vegetation, and remained moderately active through the afternoon and early evening each day. All burning occurred well within the fire containment lines.
Significant Events	Not available

Outlook

Planned Actions	Firefighters will continue to improve and extend fire lines around the perimeter of the fire.
Growth Potential	Low
Terrain Difficulty	The terrain is extremely steep in many locations.
Remarks	Smoke is visible along Interstate 5 from Weed, CA to the Oregon border. State Highway 96 is open to all motorists.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions	5 mph SW
Current Temperature	69 degrees
Current Humidity	49 %

No comments:

How fires get their names

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.

CAL FIRE is the largest fire department in California and the second largest fire department in the United States. CDF - CAL FIRE Firefighters answer the call more than 300,000 times a year. CAL FIRE Firefighters make up the fire department for 30 of our 58 counties in California and more than 100 local communities. We serve as the incident command during many of California’s most serious disasters. CAL FIRE Firefighters respond to many various types and forms of calls ranging from structural fires, to auto accidents, to earthquakes, to floods, to the spilling of hazardous materials, to every conceivable disaster; CAL FIRE answer's the calls. CAL FIRE is the largest fire department in California and the second largest fire department in the United States . CAL FIRE firefighters protect 33 million acres of State Responsibility Area (SRA). We have over 4,000 members within CAL FIRE and CAL FIRE is associated with the California Professional Firefighters (CPF) and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF).

CFN - CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS - CAL FIRE NEWS