News and Notes: California Fire Situation 09-02-09

National Weather Service has issued a RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR THE COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES...for central Siskiyou County including Shasta Valley and for Siskiyou County from the Cascade Mountains east and south to Mt. Shasta.

Station Fire Satellite Thermal and Perimeter map
09-01-09 P.M.

National Fire Activity
Initial attack activity: Light (175 new fires)
New large fires: 1 (*)
Large fires contained: 2
Uncontained large fires : ** 15
Area Command Teams committed: 0
NIMOs committed: 1
Type 1 IMTs committed: 4
Type 2 IMTs committed: 3
Nationally, there are 78 large fires being managed with minimal or no resource
commitment that are not shown on today’s report.
** Uncontained large fires do not include confine/contain and resource
benefit incidents. **
Link to Geographic Area daily reports.

Southern California Area (PL 3)
New fires: 41
New large fires: 0
Uncontained large fires: 5
Type 1 IMTs committed: 3
Type 2 IMTs committed: 1

STATION CA-ANF-3622 140150 acres 22% contained. The Mount Wilson Communications is directly threatened. This facility is a major communications hub for all of Southern California. Fire behavior was moderated by a weather change. Low to moderate fire intensity except for isolated high intensity areas. Firing operations continue to be successful. Total personnel on the incident is 4,128.

Significant Events: Firing operations and line construction continue to be successful and will continue as conditions allow.

Remarks: Angeles Crest Highway remains closed and is the primary access route for 18+ Camps/residences , numerous private residences, and the Mount Wilson Communication Facility and Observatory. Multiple evacuation centers have been established. The Mount Wilson Communications is directly threatened. This facility is a major communications hub for all of Southern California. The spike camp at Central Park in Santa Clarita is operational. Critical needs are required to complete line preparation and firing operations on southeast corner of the fire.

Observed Fire Behavior: Fire behavior was moderated by weather change. Low to moderate fire intensity. Firing operations continue to be successful.

Planned Actions: Triage, prepare, and protect structures when and where necessary. Construct handlines and dozer lines. Protect critical communication sites. Initiate firing operations to contain fire. Improve existing lines, burnout as needed.

OAK GLEN 3 CA-BDU-9598 1,012 acres 75% contained. Afternoon thunderstorms are expected to produce variable winds and lightning with only light rain if any. Evacuation orders have been changed from mandatory to advised. Residents only are being allowed back into the fire areas. Total personnel assigned are 1,744.

Significant Events: Evacuation orders are being evaluated, in coordination with the San Bernardino County Sheriff, for a possible lifting of those orders.

Remarks: Injuries: One firefighter suffered first and second degree burns to the wrist and hand. Another firefighter had a severe reaction to poison oak. Pendleton Fire is being supported by aircraft from the Oak Glen Fire due to close proximity of both fires and air space safety.

Observed Fire Behavior: There was minimal daytime spread of the fire. Concerns continue for rollout, snags and wind.

Planned Actions: Continued line construction with air operations in support of containment.

PENDLETON CA-BDU-9640 860 acres 70% contained. Afternoon thunderstorms are expected to produce variable winds and lightning with only light rain if any. Evacuation orders have been changed from mandatory to advised. Residents only are being allowed back into the fire areas. Total personnel assigned are 860.

Significant Events: In coordination with the San Bernardino County Sheriff, evacuation orders are being evaluated at 1800 for a possible lifting of those orders. Planning for possible progressive release of type 1 engines.

Remarks: Injuries: One firefighter suffered heat exhaustion. The Pendleton Fire is being supported by aircraft from the Oak Glen Fire due to close proximity of both fires and air space safety.

Observed Fire Behavior: The fire made a mid morning run of 120 acres that was stopped by heavy air resource allocation. Concerns continue for rollout, snags and wind.

Planned Actions: Continued line construction with air operations in support of containment.

BIG MEADOW CA-YNP-3660 5,933 acres 55% contained. An Evacuation order remains in effect for the community of Foresta. The evacuation order for El Portal was lifted at 12:00 yesterday. Access to Yosemite National Park has been impacted with road closures including Big Oak Flat Road. Tioga Road is closed or restricted at this time due to fire impacts. Thunder storms on the Sierra crest are predicted and air stability will begin to change from previous operational periods. Total personnel assigned are 1,329.

Significant Events: The main body of the fire in DIV C impacted Tioga Road. There were spots across Tioga Road. Tamarack Creek Road may have to be abandoned as the containment line due to one or more large spot fires.

Remarks: The injury today in block 21 was a bruised rib.

Observed Fire Behavior: The fire was active today with spotting in timber litter with heavy dead and down along Tamarack and Tioga Road.

Planned Actions: Contain the spots across Tamarack and Tioga Roads. Continue to evaluate firing when conditions are favorable and hold existing line from firing operations.

Northern California Area (PL 3)
New fires: 11
New large fires: 0
Uncontained large fires: 2
Red Rock, Klamath NF. Fifteen miles west of Fort Jones, CA. Timber with heavy dead and down fuels. Creeping fire.

Hawaii Fires: Kaunakakai Incident, HI-CNTY /Maui FD , is 7,800 acres and 50 percent containment. Kaunakakai, . One mile north of Kaunakakai, HI. Timber, brush and grass. Moderate fire activity. Residences threatened.