CA-BDF- Apache IC - Wildland Fire - 784 acres 25%

Apache Wildland Fire Update
Editor: This fire looks very cold via Geomac-Modis expect very little growth. Four helicopters and four aircraft will be available today to augment the ground forces consisting of 30 hand crews...

Perimeter map of Apache Fire
Credit: USDA Forest Service/Cal Fire news

Summary:

Incident Commander: Carlton Joseph
The Apache Fire is human caused "smoking" and is burning in the San Jacinto Wilderness on Apache Ridge and is visible from many areas especially at night.

Hand crews accessed the fire and established an anchor point and began building fire line along the ridgetop and the handcrews have spent the night Coyote on the fireline.

Weather: Winds have died down and based on fire weather forecasts, fires projected movement is expected toward the South by South East. Friday's forecast calls for sunny weather with a high of 72 and a low of 44 degrees. Relative humidity is predicted at 5%. Winds are expected out of the east in the morning at 5-10 mph with 15 mph upslope gusts and winds of 5 mph are expected in the afternoon.

Fire behavior: Fire moving into grass and brush, Fire backing into heavier fuels - downed timber and logs.
The Steep terrain have made accessing fire difficult and ground resources have lengthy travel times to access incident.

Resources: 710 personnel on fire - 30 handcrews, 10 engines, 3 water tenders, 7 helicopters and 7 fixed wing aircraft, working the fire in very steep terrain. Crews will work up to 36 hours and spike camp on the mountain.

Planned actions: Crews and Aircraft going direct on Fire, protection of structures as required. Full containment predicted for May 4, 2008.

Evacuations: There are no evacuations in place.

Park and trail Closures: The Palm Springs Tramway remains open.
The San Jacinto Wilderness and Mt. San Jacinto State Park are closed until further notice. The Devil's Slide, Spitler Peak, Southridge, Fobes Ranch, and Cedar Springs trails and a section of the Pacific Crest Trail are closed until further notice.

Agencies Involved: The Apache Fire is being managed by the USFS with assistance from CALFIRE and Riverside County crews, and cooperation with the BLM, BIA, and the Agua Caliente Tribe.

Perimeter of Apache Fire
Credit: USDA Forest Service