Out of State News: Nevada Fire officials are callings the Hawken Fire as “unprecedented” and “setting new records” for Nevada.

Hawken Fire - 209:
Fire officials are callings the Hawken Fire as “unprecedented” and “setting new records” for Nevada.

Fire officials are callings the Hawken Fire as “unprecedented” and “setting new records” for Nevada.
For a fire to reach that level of danger, certain conditions must exist. The Hawken Fire has them all: Unpredictable fire behavior, gusty winds and high-density homes beside steep wildlands that are extremely dry.

From fire officials incident plan
The following excerpts are from “Night Shift HAWKENS,” the fire’s incident action plan for Tuesday evening, intended to provide firefighters with everything they need to know for their shift.
The report is organized into sections on personnel, assignments, fire behavior, weather forecast, safety messages and coding system used by fire chiefs to record the percentage of a slope’s grade, types of vegetation, and resources used and required. The report ends with a log-in sheet for firefighters to keep track of their hours. Incident commanders compile one for each shift.

Incident Objectives:
1. This area is experiencing extreme fire conditions and fire behavior with record low moisture. Pay special attention (to the orders).
2. Public Safety is of paramount importance.
Heavy smoke may pose significant driving risks along major roadways.
Drive with extra caution, particularly on major roads.
Handle any needed evacuation with sensitivity and ensure that those who are evacuated receive regular updates.
3. Maintain effective communication with local cooperators, news media, appropriate elected officials, local fire districts and the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest ranger.
4. Follow appropriate cost containment strategies in decision making while not compromising safety.
5. Your actions will be highly visible and a reflection upon all fire fighting agencies. Please practice your utmost professionalism.
6. Minimize the acres burned utilizing direct attack with aircraft, dozers, handcrews and engines.

Forecast Weather
Summary: Partly cloudy. Temps minimum 56 to 62 degrees. Winds 14 to 18 mph Southwest to West, gusts 35 mph. Winds will continue ... Higher ridges expect gusts up to 40 to 45 mph.

Forecast Fire Behavior
Intense burn activity experienced (Tuesday) afternoon in timber, brush and grass on most flanks of the fire is expected to continue into the night. Surface burning, tree torching short crown runs, spotting and rollout are anticipated to contribute to downhill, cross slope and uphill fire movement. Nighttime forecasted winds could favor sustained downslope direction of fire spread and spotting. Rising humidity during the night could moderate this burning where terrain is sheltered, but not as likely on ridge tops and areas expanded to wind gusts.

Smoldering hot spots are likely in locations along the perimeter and withn the interior of the burn. Flare-ups and new fire activity could produce intense burning and rapid spread in directions influenced by wind.
The fire could move rapidly downhill towards the powerline corridor with wind alignment with terrain such as Evans Canyon.
Visibility for air operations for the remainder for today’s daylight hours may be limited. ... Turbulence and high winds continuing over the fire can limit air ops.

Safety
Remember standard firefighting order: Base all actions on current and expected behavior of the fire.
Remember Watch Out: In country not seen in the daylight.
Very High to Extreme fire conditions across the Great Basin.