CA-LNF-Hat Creek Complex - Wildland Fire(Lightning) 3,043 acres 5%

Hat Creek Complex CA LNF update - 30430 acres 5 percent contained.

Evacuations of Hat Creek and Old Station, closure of Highway 89.
Advisory evacuations: are in effect for Hat Creek and Old Station communities as well as associated campgrounds. Highway 89, a major corridor for transportation, commerce, and recreation is closed between Highway 44 and Highway 299 to all traffic except for residents. Pacific Gas & Electric (PF&E) power lines adjacent to Highways 89 & 44 are threatened.
Command of the Hat Creek Complex transition to NorCal Team 2 (Molhoek) effective 0600 on August 4, 2009.

Threats to power and communication infrastructure, Observed fire behavior included significant uphill runs with short duration crowning, spotting, flanking and backing fire. Roll-out was observed in addition to isolated single and group tree torching.

The Hat Creek Complex consists of the Sugarloaf Fire, approximate acreage of 2000 and zero percent contained,
The Brown fire at approximately 1000 acres with five percent containment, and the Butte Fire at 43 acres.
The Butte fire is lined and holding within containment lines.
Expected Containment (Block 17) of fires in the Hat Creek Complex are Butte; 8-6-09, Brown 8/8/09, Sugarloaf 8/17/09. Structures threatened in Block 23 are broken down as; 100 from the Sugarloaf Fire and 30 Structures from the Brown Fire.
Critical resource needs will be utilized for bucket drops (Type 1) and mapping and reconnaissance flights (Type 3). Resources assigned to the Hat Creek Complex will also have I.A. responsibility within the T.F.R. for the Hat Creek Complex.

Hat Creek Complex Map - 8.4.09
Credit: Forest Service - Inciweb -Link

On Saturday evening, August 1, widespread heavy thunderstorms brought nearly 1,800 lightning strikes in northeastern California which resulted in 43 reported fires on the Lassen National Forest.

Northern California Inter-agency Incident Management (NorCal) Team II assumed command of the Hat Creek Complex to manage the three fires for the forest.

The Hat Creek Complex consists of three fires burning on the Hat Creek Ranger District: Sugarloaf Fire, Brown Fire, and the Butte Fire. The Butte Fire is 100% contained while the Brown Fire is 5% contained and the Sugarloaf Fire is predicted to be contained by August 17.


Basic Information
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause: Lightning
Date of Origin: Saturday August 01st, 2009 aprox 12:00 AM
Location: 60 miles east of Redding, CA
Incident Commander: Joe Molhoek

Current Situation
Total Personnel: 798
Size: 3,043 acres
Percent Contained: 5%
Estimated Containment Date: Monday August 17th, 2009 aprox 12:00 AM
Fuels Involved: 10 Timber (litter and brush understory)
Fire Behavior: Observed fire behavior included significant uphill runs with short duration crowning, spotting, flanking, and backing fire. Roll-out was observed in addition to isolated single and group tree torching.
Significant Events

Outlook - Planned Actions: Firefighters seek opportunities for containment line construction, hold constructed containment line, burnout where appropriate, conduct fire perimeter control around structures, and mop up hot spots as needed. Infra-red fire perimeter mapping will be conducted by airplane today.

Growth Potential: High

Terrain Difficulty: Extreme

Remarks: Northern California Interagency Incident Management (NorCal) Team II assumed command of the Hat Creek Complex to manage the three fires for the Lassen National Forest. The Butte Fire is 100% contained. The Brown Fire is about 5% contained and is expected to be 100% contained on Saturday, August 8. There are approximately 30 structures threatened by the Brown Fire near the Hat Creek community. The Sugarloaf Fire is burning near the Old Station community where approximately 100 structures are threatened. Fire managers expect that the fire will be 100% contained on Monday, August 17. Objectives for fire managers are to keep the fire within existing fire containment lines while minimizing fire suppression impacts to riparian and cinder cone areas.

Current Weather:
Wind Conditions 6 mph SE
Temperature 54 degrees
Humidity 45%