CA-LPF- Chalk - Wildland Fire - 12,168 acres 37%

Monterey Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest - Change in Evacuation Status, Effective Immediately
The FIRE EVACUATION WARNING has been REDUCED to an EVACUATION WATCH for residents in the immediate fire area west of Chalk Peak and South Coast Ridge Road, Alms Ridge, Dempsey Flats, Prewitt Ridge areas.

Persons issued this notice are not required to evacuate but should be prepared to evacuate should an Evacuation Warning be issued.

A FIRE EVACUATION WATCH remains in place for Lucia, Mill Creek, Hare Creek and Limekiln State Park.
Highway 1 is open, but is subject to traffic delays up to 20 minutes. Vehicles must drive slowly and watch for debris and emergency equipment and crews.
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Firefighter Injuries: - 11 - The increase in the number of firefighter injuries is due to three separate vehicle accidents Oct 3rd. - Nine injuries were reported during the last operational period. They were due to three unrelated vehicle accidents including a BDF unit roll over. All injuries were reported as minor with one possible broken nose.
Personnel were taken to a local hospitals, evaluated and released.

Chalk Fire Perimeter Map
Almost Useless map provided by Inciweb

Basic Information - Chalk Wildland Fire
Cause: Under Investigation
Date of Origin: Saturday September 27th, 2008 aprox 07:30 PM
Location: 22 mi southwest of King City, CA
Incident Commander Jim Smith / Alan Courier

Current Situation
Total Personnel: 1,319
Size: 12,168 acres
Percent Contained: 37%
Estimated Containment Date: Friday October 17th, 2008 aprox 06:00 PM
Fuels Involved: Chaparral (6 Feet). Large volume of dead and down material. Oak woodland and pockets of timber.
Fire Behavior: Minimal spread today due to last night's rain.
Significant Events: Dempsey Flat, Biere property, Nacaruby and Alms property have been removed from the list of areas/residences threatened by the fire.
Outlook Planned Actions: Current efforts focus on containment of northwest corner and holding southwest flank. Structure protection remains a priority.
Growth Potential High
Terrain Difficulty Extreme

Fire Statistics
Acres burned: 12,168
Miles of fireline to build: 21
Date started: 9/27/08 (evening)
Percent contained: 30%
Expected containment: 10/17/2008
Firefighter injuries to date: 11
Structures threatened: 19 residences; 30 outbuildings
Structures destroyed: 0
Suppression cost to date: $8.43 million

Firefighting Resources:
Total personnel assigned: 1,319
Crews: 25
Engines: 88
Helicopters: 12
Air tankers: 8
Dozers: 9

Current Status: Rain, cloud cover and humidity slowed fire progression last night and today. Weather related hazards were evaluated to ensure safe working conditions for firefighters. Crews mopped up on the west and southwest flanks of the fire, and constructed indirect line north from Hwy 1 toward Cone Peak. Structure protection preparation continued at Merle Ranch. There was little fire progression on the northeast flank due to favorable weather conditions.

Evacuations: The "Fire Evacuation Warning" has been REDUCED to an "EVACUATION WATCH" for residents in the immediate fire area west of Chalk Peak and South Coast Ridge Road (Alms Ridge, Dempsey Flats and Prewitt Ridge areas). Persons issued this notice are not required to evacuate but should be prepared to evacuate should an Evacuation Warning be issued. A "Fire Evacuation Watch" remains in place for Lucia, Mill Creek, Hare Creek and Limekiln State Park.

Highway, Road and Area Closures: Hwy 1 is open, but subject to traffic delays up to 20 minutes. Vehicles must drive slowly and watch for debris and emergency equipment and crews. Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd is closed. South Coast Ridge Rd is closed from Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd to Willow Creek Rd. Limekiln State Park is closed. Mill Creek Day Use area is closed due to emergency equipment in the area.

Weather: Temperature 66 degrees; relative humidity 68%; northwest winds at 4 mph.

Agencies: This incident is being managed under Unified Command with the U.S. Forest Service and Fort Hunter Liggett. The Incident Command Post is at Fort Hunter Liggett. Media access to Fort Hunter Liggett is restricted. Contact the Goleta Fire Information Center for assistance.

More Information: Goleta Fire Information Center: 805-961-5770 (8am-8pm)
Fire information online: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1551/