InciWeb: Elk Complex Wildland Fire - 9,748 Acres - 34% containment.

Elk Complex Wildland Fire
Expected Full Containment: 7/29/2007

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INCIDENT UPDATED 1:56 HRS. AGO

ANNOUNCEMENT

Elk Fire Complex Community Meeting 7/24/07
There will be a community meeting regarding the Elk Fire Complex Tuesday July 24, 2007 at 7pm, held at the Happy Camp Grange Hall. Representatives from the fire management team, local ranger district ... more

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Summary

ELK FIRE COMPLEX UPDATE

July 25, 2007

Total Complex Acreage: 9,748 acres Incident Resources: 1,151 personnel

Total Complex Containment: 34% Expected Full Containment: 7/29/2007

Cost to Date: $9,890,076 Injuries to Date (minor): 9

Structures Threatened: 550 Fatalities to Date: 1

After three days of burnout operations the Little Grider is 100% contained. Crews will continue patrolling and mopping up near the fire's perimeter. Smoke will continue to be produced as fuels burn within the interior. Suppression efforts continue on the five remaining uncontained fires. The protection of Happy Camp and Elk Creek communities remains a top priority.

Burnout and line construction activities continue on the Wingate, Titus and King Creek 2 with excellent results on the north and northeast corner of the Wingate fire. These actions are considered critical in order to secure the northern portion of the fire. To date, a total of 62 miles of fireline has been constructed consisting of 27 miles of dozer line and 35 miles of handline and brushed roads.

Complex Fire Details

Of the thirty identified fires in the Elk Complex, 25 are 100% contained. The fires will continue to be monitored, patrolled and staffed as safety, resources and access permit. The remaining five fires are as follows:

• King Creek II Fire (3,054 acres) 25 % contained. Line construction continued on the fire.
• Wingate (1,182 acres) 8% contained. Burnout operations are ongoing.
• Elk Fire (1,144 acres) 96% contained. Crews established direct line on the fire's northern and eastern perimeters.

• Titus Fire (2,043 acres) 5% contained. A recommended evacuation for homeowners, and closure for campers and miners, from Five Mile Bridge to Norcross Campground on Elk Creek Road remains in place. Firelines have been constructed and burnouts continue.

• Hummingbird Fire (80 acres) 0% contained.

Evacuation Planning:

The Siskiyou County Sheriff's Department has prepared an evacuation plan in the event evacuation becomes necessary. Individuals with special needs, such as mobility assistance, should notify the Sheriff's Department ahead of time.

Sources of info include: http://www.inciweb.org/ (including other fires) or the incident information office at (530) 841-4451. Visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath for information on fire restrictions and local closures.

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Basic Information

Incident Type	Wildland Fire
Cause	Lightning
Date of Origin	07/10/2007 at 00 hrs.
Location	Happy Camp Ranger District
Incident Commander	Mike Dietrich

Current Situation

Total Personnel	1,151
Size	9,748 acres
Percent Contained	34%
Estimated Containment Date	07/29/2007 at hrs.
Fuels Involved	Mature heavy timber overstory with brush understory, large quantities of dead fuels and snags.
Fire Behavior	Slow moving fire with isolated torching, creeping, smoldering and roll-out on steep slopes.
Significant Events	Not available

Outlook

Planned Actions	Continue burn operation on eastern flank of the Wingate and Titus fires in Branch I. Continues direct line construction on eastern perimeterwhere feasible to minimize fire size and reduce costs. Brush roads in southern portion of Branch I. Support NTSB on Norcross incident.
Projected Movement	12 hours: Continued spread expected due to futher drying of fuels and potential bounout/backfire operations. 24 hours: Continued spread expected due to further drying of fuels and potential burnout/backfire operations 48 hours: Potential for re-burn in areas wetted by previos rain event as drying continues. Short range spotting activity could increase fire spread 72 hours:Potential for re-burn in areas wetted by previos rain event as drying continues. Short range spotting activity could increase fire spread.
Growth Potential	High
Terrain Difficulty	Extreme
Containment Target	Likely to meet objectives based on current weather projections.
Remarks	The little Grinder fire contained yesterday. Expect an increase in containment as direct strategy and burnout continues. A total of sixty-two miles of fire line has been constructed to date. This includes twenty-seven miles of dozer line and thirty-five miles of handline and brushed roads. Fire acreages and containment: Of the thirty identified fires in the Elk Complex, 25 fires are 100%contained. The remaining five fires are as follows: titus 2,043 acres-5%, Wingate 1,182 acres-8%, King Creek #2 3,054 acres- 25%, Elk 1,1144 acres 96%, Hummingbird 80 acres-0%

Weather

Current Wind Conditions	Not available
Current Temperature	60 degrees
Current Humidity	94 %