CFN - CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS - CAL FIRE NEWS : Inciweb update: Fletcher Wildland Fire - 8,121 acres

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Inciweb update: Fletcher Wildland Fire - 8,121 acres - 80%

Fletcher Wildland Fire

INCIDENT UPDATED 1800 hrs

Map of the Fletcher Fire on July 18
The wind-driven fire has crossed into Oregon.
Credit: Modoc National Forest

Summary

The Fletcher Fire has burned about 8,121 acres. Nor Cal Team II (Kaage), is managing the suppression efforts. The Lake County Sherrif's Office reports there are no new evacuations today. Monday's tornado-like wind up-rooted trees and caused tree tops to explode. Seven structures were destroyed by the fire on Monday, including five structures at the Point Ranch. The southwest and southeast flanks of the fire are holding well. Progress was made on the rest of the fire using air support followed by hand crews and dozers to construct and strengthen the fire containment line around the entire fire. California and Oregon agencies are working together and providing assistance in suppressing and containing the fire.

Basic Information

Incident Type	Wildland Fire
Cause	Under Investigation
Date of Origin	07/10/2007 at 1315 hrs.
Location	20 miles North West of Davis Creek
Incident Commander	Bill Kaage, Norcal 2

Current Situation

Total Personnel	629
Size	8,121 acres
Percent Contained	80%
Estimated Containment Date	07/19/2007 at hrs.
Fuels Involved	Timber (Jeffrey pine, white fir, juniper) and grass
Fire Behavior	Fire behavior has been less extreme than previously observed on Monday afternoon. A low pressure system is moving through the fire area that will bring higher relative humidity, cooler temperatures, but the potential for wind gusts and isolated thunder storms.
Significant Events	Significant progress was made on the fire yesterday. Air support dropped fire retardant along the perimeter, followed by hand crews and dozers building fire line.

Outlook

Planned Actions	The wind-driven fire has crossed into Oregon. Fire suppression efforts are being coordinated with the Modoc National Forest, Lakeview Interagency Fire Center, Oregon Department of Forestry, Fremont National Forest, and Oregon BLM units. Fire crews continue to make good progress on constructing direct and indirect dozer and hand line. Yesterday, the Infra-Red imagery mapping flight captured spot fires that were contained by firefighters. Firefighters continue to hold and strengthen fire lines surrounding the northwest and southeast flanks of the fire. Today, the crews will strengthen containment of spot fires near the north, northwest, and south flanks of the fire.
Projected Movement	Spread may occur to the north, east, and south.
Growth Potential	Extreme
Terrain Difficulty	High
Containment Target	7/19/07
Remarks	Closures: Road closures are still in effect for Modoc County Road 48, five miles west of Davis Creek; Crowder Flat Road at Forest Road 136, and the Westside Road near the T-Bone intersection at the California-Oregon border on the northwest side of Goose Lake. Evacuations: Structures at Cove Ranch, Everly Ranch and a cluster of ranch structures on the north east flank of the fire in Oregon remain threatened. Fire managers will be assessing whether the current evacuation order that is in place for parts of Modoc County and Lake County along the west-side of Goose Lake should be lifted. At this time, no evacuation is planned for the town of Lakeview, Oregon. Remarks: The fire has destroyed seven structures in the vicinity of Point Ranch. Additional Fire Information: www.inciweb.org (including other fires) and (530) 233-5811. Please go to the Forest Service website for more information on fire restrictions and closures at www.fs.fed.us/r5/modoc/.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions	5 mph SW
Current Temperature	47 degrees
Current Humidity	61 %

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