CA-LPF- Chalk - Wild land Fire - 15,359 acre and 80% contained

Chalk Fire Perimeter - 10/20/08 ~ Credit: USFS

CHALK FIRE UPDATE

Monterey Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest

Monday, October 20, 2008, 8:00 PM

Incident Fire Information: 866-534-6961 (7:00am-9:00pm)

Fire information online: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1551/

Fire Statistics

Acres burned: 15,359

Miles of fireline to build: 7.5

Date started: 9/27/08 (evening)

Percent contained: 80%

Expected containment: 11/01/2008

Firefighter injuries to date: 17

Structures threatened: 49

Structures destroyed: 0

Suppression cost to date: $18.8M

Firefighting Resources

Crews: 6

Engines: 28

Helicopters: 12

Air tankers: 10

Dozers: 5

Total personnel assigned: 633

Current Status: The firing operation along the pre-existing dozer line just east of the Camaldoli Hermitage, continued today as planned and was very successful. As of 6:00pm this evening, the firing was down to about 200 feet from Highway 1. In the Limekiln State Park area, the fire continues to back down slowly.

In the northern peak of the fire, permission was requested and granted by the USDA Forest Service Regional Office to allow a dozer line to be constructed in the wilderness. This request was made in order to tie in the upper portion, where the firing operation began, continuing in a northeast direction along a ridge ahead of the fire and tying into the Gamboa Trail. The dozers successfully completed the line at 6:30 this evening.

Tonight crews will continue to hold and support the firing operations. Structure protection continues in Limeklin State Park and the Hermitage. Firefighter and public safety continue to be the highest priority.

Evacuations:On Friday, October 17, The Monterey County Sheriff's Department issued an EVACUATION WARNING for Limekiln State Park north to the New Camaldoli Hermitage. Approximately 9 residents are within the evacuation area. This stage of Evacuation Warning is given for affected areas where there is imminent threat to life and property. Persons who receive notification of this warning should evacuate in accordance with the direction given to them by Sheriff's Department Deputies who are on scene.

An EVACUATION WATCH was also issued by the Monterey County Sheriff's Department for Lucia north to Lopez Point. This stage of Evacuation Watch is for areas where a threat to life and property exists. Persons who receive notification of this watch are not required to evacuate but should be prepared to evacuate should an Evacuation Warning be issued. Significant resources (hand crews, engines and dozers) are engaged in structure protection.

Highway, Road and Area Closures: Highway-1 is open. Nacimiento-Fergusson Road remains closed, as well as South Coast Ridge Road, south to Willow Creek Road.

Weather: Below 1,000 ft. fog with temperatures 44-52 degrees; RH 75-85%; winds N to NE 5 - 10 mph. . Above 1,000 ft. clear; temperatures 57-65 degrees; RH 20-25%; winds N to NE 5mph with gust to 10mph.

Agencies: This incident is being managed by a U.S. Forest Service, Type-2 Incident Command Team, Incident Commander Dana D'Andrea (USFS), of Central Coast Interagency Incident Management Team 7.