Panther and North Ukonom Fires Update

Friday, August 22, 2008

Panther and North Ukonom Fires Update

Incident: Panther Wildland Fire
Released: 6 hrs. ago

Friday, August 22, 2008 - 8:00am

Today's Update: On Thursday, minimal fire behavior was observed on the Panther and North Ukonom Fires. Crews continued to make progress repairing firelines with trackhoes, excavators and chippers. Excavators were used on the north and northeast perimeter of the Panther Fire to clean up areas disturbed by line construction.

Today, fire crews will continue line repair, mop up and patrol outside of the wilderness. One crew will also work to construct a short segment of line using light on the land tactics to establish a firebreak to help contain fire activity to the wilderness area.

Containment objectives have been met on the fire outside of the wilderness area. Minimal suppression action is being taken on the fire in the wilderness area. The fires will continue to burn naturally and will be closely monitored by firefighters who will take appropriate suppression action if necessary.

Location: 15 miles south of Happy Camp, California

Current Size: 47,910 acres (Panther Fire 24,756 acres; North Ukonom Fire 23,154 acres)

Jurisdiction: US Forest Service, Klamath National Forest

Containment: 75%

Estimated Containment Date: 8/28/2008

Cost to Date: $14,251,363 (Panther $14,059,834; North Ukonom $191,529)

Cause: Lightning Injuries: 4 Fatalities: 1

Resources: 3 crews, 3 engines, 1 helicopter, 1 water tender Total Personnel: 175

Cooperating Agencies: US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Park Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service, Siskiyou County Sheriff, Cal-Trans

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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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Friday, August 22, 2008