CA-BTU- Ophir Fire in Butte County update

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

CA-BTU- Ophir Fire in Butte County update

Ophir Fire in Butte County - 50% - 1,600 acres

Scoop:Possibly as many as 100 structures (residences, barns and outbuildings) lost.
The fire has burned from Hwy. 70 all the way to Palermo Honcut Highway - A second fire burned 30 acres south of the Ophir fire, it was called the Cox fire.

Location: Hwy 70 & Ophir Road Butte County
Ground Resources: Engines-40, Dozers-4, Hand Crews-4, Water Tenders-4, Out of area resources from NEU, TGU, SHU, LMU, PNF, LNF, TNF, local government strike teams.
Air Resources: Helicopters-4, Air Tankers-5, AA-1
Total Personnel: 500+
Structures Threatened: 3000
Homes Destroyed: 21
Outbuildings Destroyed: 28
Vehicles Destroyed: 99

Road Closures: Powerhouse Hill road now open to residents only.
Lone tree and all side streets are open.
Palermo Honcut Highway is open to through traffic only.

The following roads are closed through out night and remain evacuated:
Palermo Road from Melvina to Hwy 70, Occidental, South Villa, Kennilworth, Williams, Ludlum, South Railroad Ave., Louis, Alice, Daly, Craig, Citrus, Almy, McIntosh, and South Reservoir.

Possible Evacuations:
The fire is currently burning in a an easterly direction.
Dunstone and Avocado may soon be evacuated.

Animals: Animals can be taken to SPCA on 5th Avenue to be sheltered by the North Valley Animal Disaster Group. Wind from the northwest at 25 - 40 mph are causing perimeter control problems.
Schools: Palermo & Honcut Schools will be closed today, Wednesday June 11, 2008.

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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.

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CFN - CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS - CAL FIRE NEWS

Wednesday, June 11, 2008