Cal Fire News: Morning Report - 1032 Fires burning

CWCG PL HAS BEEN ELEVETED TO LEVEL 5

1032 Fires burning in the State as of yesterday

Fires: 1,032
Acres: 132,235
Contained Fires: 232
Personnel Committed: 11,989
Water Tenders: 360

California (CFN) — Firefighters continued making progress against raging fires in northern California Wednesday as Cal Fire and the United States Forest service had achieved 100% containment on approximately 35% of the large fires burning in the State.

More than 149,000 acres (60,300 hectares) has been burned so far, destroying nearly 40 structures and forcing the evacuation of more than 900 people.

A total of 7,000 firefighters, 536 engines and more than 50 aircraft had been deployed to pummel the flames, most of which were triggered last week when dry lightning from thunderstorms struck drought striken tinder-dry forest land.

Weather: Nor Cal - Dry Lightning will become a big concern by Thursday
Very active weather the next few days. The short term weather issue for the region will be the smoke shield across the area. The smoke should limit daytime heating, keeping temperatures 4-8 deg cooler than they otherwise would be, along with humidity levels 3-6% higher. The next change in the weather is expected Thursday, as an upper low begins to approach the Central CA coast. This system will shift the upper level winds to the S to SE, and make the atmosphere more unstable. An isolated Thunderstorm or two is possible on Thursday, mainly south of Lake Tahoe and along the Sierra Crest. Friday looks to be a more widespread thunderstorm day, as upper level moisture gets better organized. At the same time, low level moisture will be fairly dry, so Dry Lightning will become a big concern. With SE steering flow, a lot of the storms that initially form across the Sierra may move into the Sierra foothills and eventually into the Coastal Range. At this time, it appears that few, if any storms would reach the Bay Area, with the southern thunderstorm cut-off along the Coastal Mtns being around the Napa/Sonoma Valleys. Thunderstorms will continue for the weekend, generally trending wetter, but maybe not really wet until late Saturday or Sunday. Additional concerns, Thursday night-Early Friday for the West Slope of the Sierra for locally breezy nighttime NE winds of 10-20 mph. Also, by Saturday into Sunday there should be a fair amount of smoke ventilation, resulting in more daytime heating, lower RH and gustier surface winds. -Basil-

Weather: So Cal - ISOLATED TO SCATTERED MAINLY DRY AFTERNOON THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE SIERRA THROUGH SUNDAY -
A weak ridge of high pressure over the southwestern states will bring near normal temperatures to the region through Thursday. This ridge will strengthen bringing warmer temperatures to the region Friday through this weekend. Morning low clouds and fog will push into the coastal valleys through Thursday and then only make it over the coastal areas Friday through this weekend. Humidity will remain very low above the marine layer. Southeast flow aloft will bring isolated to scattered mainly dry afternoon thunderstorms to the Sierra through Sunday. The ridge of high pressure over the southwestern states will weaken bringing cooler temperatures and a little higher humidity to the region early next week. Morning low clouds and fog will push back into the coastal valleys early next week. END/Shameson

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Safety Statement: Predictive Services, North Ops
Subject: Smoke, Inversions, and potential changes in coming days
Issued: 1900 PDT, Wednesday June 25, 2008

Current conditions: Smoke from the growth of our many lightning fires has now become widespread across much of northern CA. Since Sunday the 22nd the atmosphere has been generally stable which, along with shading caused by the smoke itself, has tended to limit smoke rise. In the most-affected areas inversions have lasted into the afternoon hours, and even where they break or lift, the vertical lapse rates have not become as steep as they could under totally sunny conditions. Due to these factors, some (or most?) of our fires have probably not yet seen the maximum fire behavior/ spread rate/ spotting potential that they could see.

What could change soon: We expect to see a trend toward less airmass stability over the next few days. It may well begin Thursday p.m. over the Sierra Nevada fires, from about the Plumas NF southeastward, and continue into Saturday. But for most other portions of northern CA the trend will start Friday and continue through the weekend. This will be due to a low pressure area west of CA slowly deepening and gradually expanding its area of influence toward the state. While the overall shift toward less stability might be gradual, the effects seen locally on a given fire complex could occur within one day’s burning period. In fact, the switch from barely stable to moderately unstable can occur in as little as 1-2 hours. A change like that could cause a fire to vent much better and become considerably more active (compared to previous days) in short order. [It’s not all negative – a couple of upsides associated with these type changes would be better air quality, and increased opportunity for Air Ops].

What you should do: For reasons varying from firefighter safety to aiding tactical success, we strongly recommend that you keep these things in mind:

• Over the next few days, the atmosphere will trend toward being less stable than it has been the past few days.
• Smoke will begin to lift better, and probably earlier in the day, in many areas on Friday.
• On a given fire, the stability lid ‘could come off’ in rather short order, leading to rapid fire behavior increases, while also allowing for increased winds at the surface.

And take these steps:

• If a vantage point exists, have someone monitor for changes in observed smoke behavior (such as the ending of smoke pooling /layering in your area, or increasing rates of smoke rise, with smoke thinning quickly).
• Be aware of the possible indicators of increasing instability, which can include:

- winds begin to blow after a previous calm, or existing winds become more gusty
- indrafts to your fire begin to strengthen
- clouds (if any are present) become more vertically oriented
- faster-growing columns and/ or they are reaching greater heights
- increased up and downdrafts
- in some cases visibility starts to improve quickly.

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Northern California Wildfire Overview

Current Situation: State and Federal firefighters continue to battle hundreds of wildfires throughout Northern California. Priority of firefighting effort is for the protection of life, property and natural resources. Fire activity remains high due to weather and fuel conditions.
Download the latest fact sheet.

Total Fires: 1,032

Acres: 132,235

Contained Fires: 232

Personnel Committed: 11,989

Resources Committed:

Fire Engines: 941

Hand Crews: 271

Dozers: 291

Water Tenders: 360

Helicopters: 42

Air Tankers: 6

(These numbers are totals from state, local and federal firefighting agencies. Updated 6/25 at 11:45 p.m.)

Items of Interest:
Highway closures: State highways and local roads are closed throughout northern California due to wildfire activities. Closures are in place for state highway 32, 36, 70, 89, 96. Delays are in place for state highway 299. Numerous county and local roads are closed as well. Travelers are advised to check with law enforcement agencies prior to traveling.

Evacuations: Areas of Butte County and Shasta County are under evacuation orders at this time. Precautionary evacuation orders are in place for areas in Lassen, Modoc, Mendocino, Trinity and Shasta counties. Residents are advised to monitor the fire situation in their areas, check with local law enforcement agencies for information, and be prepared to evacuate when necessary.

Structures Destroyed: 17 residences, 1 commercial, 19 outbuildings.

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Current Situation Summary: State and Federal firefighters continue to battle hundreds of wildfires throughout northern California. Priority of firefighting effort is for the protection of life, property and natural resources. Fire activity remains high due to weather and fuel conditions. Please see summary of fire resources, closures, and evacuations below.

Fires: 1,032
Acres: 132,235
Contained Fires: 232
Personnel Committed: 11,989
Resources Committed: •Engines: 941, •Crews: 271, •Dozers: 291, •Water Tenders: 360, •Helicopters: 42, •Air Tankers: 6,
Incident Management Teams: 17
Management/Overhead Personnel: 2,447
Items of Interest:
Highway closures: State highways and local roads are closed throughout northern California due to wildfire activities. Closures are in place for state highway 32, 36, 70, 89, 96. Delays are in place for state highway 299. Numerous county and local roads are closed as well. Travelers are advised to check with law enforcement agencies prior to traveling.
Evacuations: Areas of Butte County and Shasta County are under evacuation orders at this time. Precautionary evacuation orders are in place for areas in Lassen, Modoc, Mendocino, Trinity and Shasta counties. Residents are advised to monitor the fire situation in their areas, check with local law enforcement agencies for information, and be prepared to evacuate when necessary.
Structures Destroyed: 17 residences, 1 commercial, 19 outbuildings.
Northern California Joint Information Center - 530-226-2749
This Joint Information Center (JIC) is providing support to all the fire information centers and the CAL Fire state and Forest Service regional offices.

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Summary of Fires by Unit

Butte Unit: The Butte Lightning Complex consists of 31 fires burning 7,000 acres. The fires are evaluated each day to determine potential risk. Click Butte Lightning Complex for more specific information regarding the fires, closures and evacuations within this incident. The Butte Fire Information Number is (530) 538-7826.

Siskiyou Unit: All fires have been contained. The Klamath National Forest has the Siskiyou Complex which is near Happy Camp that is 2,000 acres with 5% containment. The Siskiyou Fire Information Number is (530) 493-1518.

Mendocino Unit: The Mendocino Lightning Complex has reported approximately 106 fires that have burned approximately 21,294 acres. 34 of these fires are contained. Incident Command Team #4 has been assigned to this complex. Click Mendocino Lightning Complex for more specific information regarding the fires, closures and evacuations within this incident. Evacuation Warning Issues. The Mendocino Fire Information Number is 707-467-6426.

Humboldt-Del Norte Unit: The complex has 56 fires that have burned for more than 973 acres. There are currently 13 active fires in this complex. The Paradise Fire is north of Shelter Cove and is 600 acres and 25% contained, The Redcrest Fire is 35 acres and 100% contained, the High Fire is in Humboldt Redwood State Park is 45 acres and 100% contained, the Carson Fire is 66 acres and 100% contained, the Hansen Fire is 6 acres and 100% contained, the Williams Fire is 40 acres and 100% contained, the Larabee Fire is 45 acres and 100% contained, the Lone Fire is 80 acres and 100% contained, the Williams Fire is 40 acres and 100% contained, and all the remaining fires of 5 acres or less have been contained. The Humboldt-Del Norte Fire Information Number is (707) 726-1225.

Shasta-Trinity Unit: Over 157 fires for a total of 12,000 acres. 68 of the fires have been contained. The Shingletown fire is 470 acres and 100% contained, the Venture fire is 1,200 acres, the Donkey fire is 3,000 acres and 60% contained, the Democrat fire is 500 acres and 20% contained, the Kirkwick fire is 2,400 acres and 80% contained, the Stien fire is 500 acres and 20% contained, the Withrow fire is 500 acres and 40% contained, the Moon fire is 2,000 acres and the Barkley fire is 1,000 acres. Incident Command Team #10 has been assigned to this complex. Shasta-Trinity Unit Information (530) 225-2510.

Lassen-Modoc Unit (including Plumas County): The Lassen-Modoc Lightning Complex consists of 49 fires burning more than 5,050 acres. Click Popcorn Fire for more information on this incident.

Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit: The Sonoma-Lake-Napa Lightning Complex consists of 6 fires. Two fires are still burning for a total of more than 12,686 acres. Click on Wild Fire Incident or Walker Fire Incident for more information on these incidents.

Tehama-Glenn Unit: The Tehama-Glenn Lightning Complex consists of 41 fires. 39 of the fires have been contained, while two remain active. The Antelope Fire is 4,200 acres and 20% contained and the Mill Creek Fire is 7,000 acres with no containment. Click Tehama-Glenn Lightning Series for more specific information on these incidents. The Tehama-Glenn Unit Information Number is (530) 528-5193.

Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit: 9 fires for a total of 153 acres. All fires have been contained. Currently the counties of Tuolumne and Calaveras are experiencing heavy smoke in low lying areas due to fires caused by heavy lightning activity yesterday. The Tuolumne-Calaveras Information Number is (209) 754-5527.

Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit: 15 fires have been reported for more than 6,000 acres. The Oliver Fire is located in the Ponderosa Basin and is 2,000 acres and 20% contained. Click Oliver Fire for more specific information regarding the fires, closures and evacuations within this incident. The Madera-Mariposa-Merced Fire Information Number is (209) 966-4784.

Santa Clara Unit: Click Whitehurst/Hummingbird Incident for more information on these fires.

San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit: All fires have been contained.

Amador-El Dorado Unit: All fires have been contained.

Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit: All fires have been contained.

Major Federal Incidents:

Basin Complex (Gallery and Basin Fires)

County: Monterey County
Location: 5 miles south of Big Sur
Administrative Unit: Los Padres National Forest
Status/Notes: Basin - 0% contained / Gallery - 5% contained - 12,000 acres
Phone Numbers:(805) 961-5770 (Basin Complex Information Number)

Lime Complex

County: Trinity County
Location: 5 miles south of Hyampom
Administrative Unit: Shasta National Forest
Status/Notes: 10% contained - 7,000 acres
Phone Numbers: (530) 225-2510 (Lime Complex Fire Information Number)

Indians Fire

County: Monterey County
Location: 10 miles west of King City in Ventana Wilderness
Administrative Unit: Los Padres National Forest
Status/Notes: 71% contained - 58,872 acres

A voluntary evacuation is in place for upper Pine Canyon and Arroyo Seco. An evacuation advisory is in place for lower Pine Canyon and Thompson Canyon. Reliz Canyon Road and upper Pine Canyon Road remain open to residents only. Although no evacuations orders have been issued at this time, decision points have been established. An evacuation center has been established at the King City High School.

Phone Numbers: (805) 961-5770 (Indians Fire Information)

For information on fires burning on the Sierra National Forest please call 559-877-2218.

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Quick Look Large Northern Cal Fires:

Corral CA-LMU 250ac 5% containment

Popcorn CA-LMU 3100ac 25% containment

Hells Half Complex CA-SRF 1,142 ac 6% containment

Orleans/Ukonom CA-SRF 500ac 3% containment

MNF Complex CA-MNF 2998ac 20%containment

Peterson CA-LNF 2000ac 0% containment

Yuba River Complex CA-TNF1750 ac 5 % contaiment

American River Complex CA-TNF1300ac ac 5 % containment

Walker CA-LNU 14,000 ac 5% containment

BLUE CA-SRF 175 ac 5% containment

Whisytown Complex CA-WNP 750ac 0% containment

TGU Complex CA-TGU 4629ac 15% containment

IRON Complex CA-SHF 3,200 ac 5% containment

LIME Complex CA-SHF 7500ac 10% containment

SHF Complex CA-SHF 22 ac 60% contaiment

Canyon Complex CA-PNF 4,810 ac 0% containment

LNF complex CA-LNF 500ac 0% containment

LMU complex CA-LMU 50 ac 80% containment

SHU Complex CA-SHU 12,000 ac 5 % containment

Whitehurst CA-SCU 200 ac 95% containment

Mendocino Lightining Complex CA-MEU 19,200 ac 5% containment

Humbolt Complex CA- HUU 950 ac. 40 % containment

BTU Complex CA-BTU 5,000 ac 5 % containment

Mad Complex CA SRF 1000ac. 10 % containment

Yuba River Complex CA TNF 2095 ac. 10% containment

Cub Complex Ca LNF 2000 ac. 0% containment

Siskiyou Complex Ca KNF 2000ac 5% containment

Quick Look large Southern California Fires:

The "Oliver Complex" has been broken down to the “Oliver Fire” (CA-MMU-8107) and the “Silver Complex” (CA-SNF-0715). Both of these incidents together were originally called the “ABC Misc June Lightning” incident (CA-SNF-0715) on 6/22

Silver Complex (CA-SNF-0715) 818 Acres, 50% contained. Within the Silver Complex are the Star, Silverknob, Chiquito, and Westfall fires. The Westfall is contained while the others continue to burn at moderate rates of spread. The Star Fire is heading towards the Yosemite National Park and town of Wawona with potential to burn into heavy timber that has no burn history on record. These fires only have ground resources assigned with all area resources depleted. The Star fire is 180 Acres at 0% in a steep, rugged, inaccessible area complicating suppression efforts adjacent to a large unburned drainage. Silveknob is 480 Acres at 60%, Chiquito is 52 Acres at 60%.
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Smokejumper counts: As of 6/25 - 119 Jumpers Committed

20 Sierra
30 Shasta Trinity
42 Mendocino
10 Klamath
10 Plumas
7 Six Rivers

Boosters From
30 Redmond
30 Missoula
23 McCall
12 Grangeville
9 North Cascades-Winthrop

Total of 104 Boosters
RDD jumpers 38

YTD
31 Fires
182 Jumps

Since 6/20
30 Fires
177 Jumps

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.Team Commitments as of 6/24 1300

• SHF - Lime Complex- T-2 Kaage/ T-1 Opiliger
• SHF - Iron Complex - T-2 Swarztlander
• SHF - Area Command Zimmerman
• SHF – FUMT Ourada/Soper
• LNF - Cub Complex – T-2 Batten
• LNF – Peterson – T-1 Ruggiero
• KNF- Siskiyou Complex- T-2 Paul
• PNF- Canyon Complex - T-1 Pincha -Tulley
• SRF – Ukonom/Orleans– T-2 Lund
• SRF - Hells Hat Complex – T-2 Secrest
• TNF - Yuba River Complex – T-2 Joseph
• TNF – American River Complex – T-I Summerfelt
• SHU - SHASTA COMPLEX – T-1 KERCHEN
• BTU - Butte Complex – T – 1 Lewin
• MEU - Mendincino Complex – T-1 Waterman
• LNU - Wild Fire – T-1 Morris
• ONC- NIMO - Gage
• ONC – Order 1 T1 team staging Sac.