CA-LPF-Indians - Wildland Fire - 31% contained - 47,012 acres

Indians Fire - Wildland Fire - 31% contained - 47,012 acres
Potential for the fire to continue growing remains extreme.

Indians Fire Perimeter 06/18/08
Credit: USFS

Summary

June 19, 2008 @ 12:00 PM

Last night, while north to northwest winds threatened to move the fire toward the eastern containment lines in the vicinity of Pine Canyon, the fire continued to back towards the line and did not challenge it. Slow growth continued on the north flank in Santa Lucia Canyon.

Today, the fire is expected to continue growing to the north, backing down slopes on the north flank. Weather permitting, a firing operation is expected to begin this morning on the eastern flank of the fire above Pine and Thompson Canyons. If successful, the firing operations will help secure this critical portion of the line. Pine Canyon residents can expect to see smoke to the west above the canyon as the firing operations proceed this morning. Structure protection engines will be in place throughout the Pine Canyon area. Additional dozer line will be constructed on the western flank of the fire south of Arroyo Seco.

The Voluntary Evacuation Notice remains in effect for the residents of Upper Pine Canyon. The Evacuation Advisory for the residents of Lower Pine Canyon and Thompson Canyon also remains in effect. Evacuations remain in place for cabins in the Santa Lucia Tract and six residences on private land at the north edge of Fort Hunter Liggett.

Weather predicted for today: At/below 2000': 92-103 degrees, 5-18% RH, winds north-northeast 6-13 mph with gusts to 16 mph. Above 2000': 78-87 degrees, 5-18% relative humidity, winds north-northeast 6-13 mph becoming north-northwest with gusts to 16 mph by morning. The northerly flow will carry most smoke south today.

A portion of the Ventana Wilderness and adjacent forest lands are closed. Arroyo Seco-Indians and Cone Peak Roads are closed. Pine Canyon Road (at end of pavement) and Reliz Canyon Road at Elm, are closed except to residents. Memorial Campground, Escondido Campground, Arroyo Seco Campground and Day Use Area are closed. Coastal campgrounds and Nacimiento-Fergusson Road are open.

For more information about the Indians Fire: Los Padres National Forest Fire Information Call Center (805) 961-5770.

Press Release

Indians Fire

Monterey Ranger District---Los Padres National Forest

June 19, 2008 11:00 AM

Basic fire information is posted at: www.inciweb.org and www.fire.ca.gov

Los Padres NF Fire Information Center: (805) 961-5770 (8:00a.m. to 8:00p.m.)

For Immediate Release

In an effort to improve service to the public, the Monterey County Sheriff's Office has requested that all calls related to the Indians Fire, including evacuations and road closures, be directed to the Los Padres National Forest Fire Information Center (see contact information above). The Sheriff's Office is not staffed to handle the volume of calls they are currently receiving. The Sheriff's Office will advise the Fire Information Center of any changes to the current situation.

For information and assistance regarding evacuation of pets and livestock during the Indians Fire, please contact the SPCA of Monterey County at (831) 373-2631. The SPCA staff is prepared to help residents with advice for preparing their animals for evacuation, and can assist them with transporting pets and livestock during an evacuation, if needed. In addition, the SPCA is working with the Red Cross to provide an animal evacuation center next to the Red Cross Shelter at King City High School. SPCA Public Information Officer, Beth Brookhouser advises residents to "Take your pet with you when you evacuate."

Additional information about pet and livestock evacuations is available on the SPCA-MC website at www.spcamc.org

Indians Fire

Monterey Ranger District---Los Padres National Forest

June 18, 2008 11:00 AM

Voluntary Evacuation Notice has been issued for the

Residents of Upper Pine Canyon

A Fire Evacuation Advisory has been issued for Lower Pine Canyon and for all of Thompson Canyon

The Monterey County Sheriff, in cooperation with the Indians Fire Incident Commander, has issued a Voluntary Evacuation Notice for residents of upper Pine Canyon who access their property from the dirt portion of Pine Canyon Road. Contact phone numbers below for further information and updates.

A Fire Evacuation Advisory has been issued for the residents of lower Pine Canyon who access their property from the paved portion of Pine Canyon Road and for all of Thompson Canyon. An advisory is a precautionary notice and you should prepare for a possible future evacuation.

EVACUATION ROUTES: East on Pine Canyon and east on Thompson Canyon Roads

Update: 6/16 1800hrs - CA-LPF-Indians- (CA-LPF-1491), Today there was active fire with sustained slope runs and torching. Indirect line construction is continuing on the northeast. Hold and patrol direct line on the southwest. Preparation for burnout operations to be initiated in the near future along the east and north flanks. This includes any necessary structure protection work.
Extreme difficult Steep terrain, limited access, heavy fuel loading, drought conditions
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Update: 6/16 0800hrs - 32 miles of hand line to build. Last night there was active backing fire on north aspect slopes with some rollout. Isolated runs and single tree torching.
Basic Information
Incident Type: Wildland Fire
Date of Origin 06/08/2008 at 1236 hrs.

Current Situation
Incident Commander: Molumby
Size: 47,012 acres
Percent Contained: 31%
Total Personnel: 2,510
Location: 21 miles west of King City in Ventana Wilderness, west of Fort Hunter Liggett Ventana Wilderness of the Los Padres National Forest
Administrative Unit: Los Padres National Forest
Date Started: June 8, 2008 12:36 pm
Provide structure protection. Continue indirect line construction on north and northwest. Hold and patrol containment lines on south and west. Firing operations along the eastern flank of the fire are scheduled to take place as weather conditions permit.
Projected Movement: Primary spread of the fire will be to the north and east.Growth Potential remains high, Long range strategic plans continue to be developed.

Unified command: CIIMT2 (Molumby, IC), Cal Fire (Hutchinson, IC), and Fort Hunter Liggett (Crum, IC). Long range contingency plans continue to be developed. Due to extended travel times, a spike camp has been established at Greenfield High School.
Actions planned for next operational period:
Continue indirect line construction on northeast. Holding and improving direct line on southwest. Prepare for burnout operations to be initiated in the near future along the east flank. Provide structure protection. Survey and triage potentially affected structures north of fire.
Notes: Observed fire behavior:- The fire continued to remain active throughout the night with low to moderate rates of spread observed.
Previous fire behavior: Primarily backing fire on north aspect slope with isolated runs and single tree torching.
Fire growth potential remains high.- Fire actively spreading primarily to north and east. Fire behavior during yesterdays firestorm extreme. According those on fire it was pulling Oak trees out of ground during run. Fire has now burned into Reliz and Vaquero Canyons on NE side, over Pinyon Peak into Horse Canyon on NW and over Junipero Serra into the Santa Lucia drainage on the West side.
Fuels: Grass, brush and oaks.
Weather
Current Wind Conditions 22 mph NW
Current Temperature 50-60 degrees
Current Humidity 15-25 %
Information: Phone Numbers (805) 961-5770 (Indians Fire Information)