CO-JEX-Lower North Fork 4,140 acres, 15% contained

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

CO-JEX-Lower North Fork 4,140 acres, 15% contained

Lower North Fork Fire CO-JEX-000176 Type: Wildfire Start: 03/26/2012 1436 Cause: U Priority:
Overhead Team Name: Mike Frary Type: Type 3 Team Local: GACC:

Lower North Fork Fire Perimeter / Hot Spot Map

Current situation: Size: 4,140 ACRES Containment around the Lower North Fork Fire remains at 15%. As of 6:00 AM this morning the Incident Command has transitioned to the Great Basin Type 1 Incident Management Team (IMT). The Jefferson County Type 3 will continue to work with the Type 1 team. Today firefighters will be working to gain further containment around the fire while also suppressing the spot fires inside the perimeter.
The two Heavy Air Tankers have been redeployed to fight another fire in South Dakota. The Colorado Air National Guard will continue to use four Blackhawks to dump water on the fire.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s office will continue to escort homeowners, whose structures we have confirmed were damaged by the fire, into the fire perimeter throughout the day.
Three citizen briefings are scheduled for today at the West Jefferson Middle School. The times are 9:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 5:00 PM.
PIO available at Staples Parking Lot: Highway 285 and Kitty Road
An Incident Management Managament Team Public Information Officer is available at the Staples Parking Lot located at at highway 285 and Kitty Road. Residence can come to this location to get additional information.
Significant Events: Persons whose homes have been affected by the fire are being escorted into the burn area to evaluate the damage. Three Colorado National Guard Blackhawk helicopters arrived to assist in suppression efforts. A FEMA US&R team, CO-TF1 arrived to conduct a search for a still missing individual. A National Type 1 Incident Management Team (Harvey) arrived and will shadow the current IMT3 (Frary) in preparation for transition tomorrow at 0600.
Remarks: 2 fatalities to date. Heavy air tankers continue to construct retardant lines. Evacuations continue for 900 homes throughout the fire area. Foxton Rd. remains closed from Reynolds Ranch to S. Platte River. River rd. remains closed from S. Platte to Buffalo Creek. Pleasant Park rd. remains closed from Hwy 285 to Deer Creek Canyon rd.
Observed Fire Behavior: Active surface fire. Some single and group torching observed.
Planned Actions: Continue to construct containment line. Evacuation zones will be reevaluated to try and allow for some residents to return to their homes.

Official Google Fire Map:
View Lower North Fork Wildfire in a larger map

CO-JEX-Lower North Fork Wildfire Perimeter and Hotspot Map

Update 03-29-2012-1000hrs: 3,790 acres, 0% contained, 23 structures destroyed, 2 civilian fatalities,162 personnel assigned. An Incident Management Public Information Officer is at Staples Parking Lot located at US Highway 285 and Kitty Drive., 3790 acreage number is as of 3/28/12 at 10:30 PM.
A media briefing is scheduled for 4:00 PM at the Conifer High School parking lot.
Update 03-28-2012-1000hrs: Latest News and Notes: North Fork: (CO-JEX) IMT3 (Frary) 1 mile E of Foxton, CO. IMT1 (Harvey) arrived and in briefed at 2000 yesterday and will assume command at end of shift today. The fire is 3,790 acres, 0% contained, 162 personnel assigned.Two non-firefighter fatalities are confirmed and a death investigation is being conducted by the Sheriff’s Office. An investigation team consisting of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colo State Forest Service and Sheriff’s Office is also investigation the cause of the fire. Twenty-three structures have been destroyed, and 900 are still under evacuation orders and threatened.
Significant actions: Heavy Air tankers constructed retardant lines to secure current perimeter while crews continued point protection for structures. Additional Type I and II crews have been ordered and will be arriving from the South West Area (R3).
Source News and Notes: RMCC Link
Fire Information is only through the JFCO blogspot: http://jeffcosheriff1.blogspot.com/
A press briefing will be held at 0730 today at Conifer High School.
Weather Outlook: Red Flags - High Fire Danger forecast for next 72 hours.

Predictive Weather links:
http://gacc.nifc.gov/rmcc/predictive/outlook/FirePoDay1.png
http://gacc.nifc.gov/rmcc/predictive/outlook/Fire_Weather_Briefing/Fire_Potential_Briefing.html
Spot weather: http://spot.nws.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/spo...20326.LOWER.01

Time-line Notes:

Update 03-28-2012-0730hrs: The wildfire is 3,790 acres, 0% contained, 23 structures destroyed, 162 personnel assigned. IMT1 (Harvey) arrived and in briefed at 2000 yesterday and will assume command at end of shift today.

Two non-firefighter fatalities are confirmed and a death investigation is being conducted by the Sheriff’s Office. An investigation team consisting of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colo State Forest Service and Sheriff’s Office is also investigation the cause of the fire. Twenty-three structures have been destroyed, and 900 are still under evacuation orders and threatened.
Significant actions: Heavy Air tankers constructed retardant lines to secure current perimeter while crews continued point protection for structures. Additional Type I and II crews have been ordered and will be arriving from the South West Area (R3).
Fire Information is only through the JFCO blogspot: http://jeffcosheriff1.blogspot.com/
A press briefing will be held at 0730 today at Conifer High School."

Update 03-27-2012-1330hrs: Pre-evacuation notice sent to an additional 6,500 homes. Lower North Fork (CO-PBC-JEX): One Type 1 Limited and one Type 2 Standard Helicopters mobilized from SWA today.

Update 03-27-2012-1100hrs: Second fatality has been located in the same area as the first according to the Jefferson County emergency blogspot.(Link)., Type 3 IMT ordered, Smokey Bear and Sacramento IHCs assigned, per SWCC. Additionally, one air tanker and one Type 2IA crew mobilized from Region 3, per SWCC News and Notes.

Update 03-27-2012-0930hrs: The Lower North Fork Fire is at 6000 acres, 1000 homes evacuated, 0% containment with no controlled fire line. However, current fire fighting strategy has changed from point protection to active fire suppression.

Grass, shrubs and “duff” are fueling the fire along with Ponderosa Pine Trees. The Ponderosa Pines will typically burn hot and continuous until they are nothing more than white ash. Heavy tree canopies combined with high temperatures and a lack of humidity are contributing to the volatile conditions as well.
Hot Shot Fire Crews are on the way from Utah, Arizona and South Dakota; upon arrival they will be immediately deployed to the fire zone.
One air tanker, two IHC's, and one Type 2 IA Crew mobilized from SWA.

Update 03-27-2012-0600hrs: 3050 acres. 1 civilian fatality, 15-25 homes destroyed.
Update 03-26-2012-2030hrs: 3000+ acres. One sheriffs deputy was almost over-run by fire this afternoon attempting to evacuate structures. He ditched his car on the side of the road and it later burned. Multiple structures have been destroyed and the fire continues to burn aggressively after dark. Winds are forecast to calm overnight but its supposed to be warm again tomorrow with light winds. 964 homes are currently under evacuation orders.

Update 03-26-2012-1600hrs: Structure protection priority. IC setting up structure protection group. Immediate Evacuation's evacuations and structure protection being ordered now on the Lower North Fork Fire with fire activity picking up significantly.in the Kuehster Road/Pleasant Park area, everything south of Critchell Road. structure threat of 500 homes. reported over 100 acres now

Update 03-26-2012-1530hrs: reported stating this ones "off to the races"

Update 03-26-2012-1500hrs: Reported at 10 to 15 acres and "running."

View Lower North Fork Wildfire in a larger map
CO-JEX-Lower North Fork Wildfire Perimeter, Evacuation and Information Map
Incident Name/Type: CO-JEX-Lower North Fork

Last Updated:
Date/Time Started:
Administrative Unit:
County:
Location: Approximately 6 miles southeast of Conifer, 1 mile E of Foxton, CO.
GPS: Latitude: 39° 26´ 9" Longitude: 105° 13´ 1"
Acres Burned: 3,790
ROS: Initial attack report 5 acres, "Slow ROS"
ROC: Initial report was slow growth potential. at some point it became rapid.
Containment: 0%
Conditions:
Structure Threats: Subdivisions to the North may be threatened if growth continues
Special Hazards:
Fuels: Ponderosa Pine trees, Grass, Shrubs and Duff
Evacuations: Yes
Cause: Prescribed fire ember escape
Cooperating Agencies:
Resources: Elk Creek FPD, North Fork FPD, CSFS, USFS E 11-2, Type 3 IMT ordered, Smokey Bear and Sacramento IHCs assigned, per SWCC. One air tanker, two IHC's, and one Type 2 IA Crew mobilized from SWA. Additionally, one air tanker and one Type 2IA crew mobilized from Region 3, per SWCC News and Notes.
Air Resources:
Comms:
Injuries:
Maps: http://www.scribblemaps.com/#id=COnorthfork
Weather Info: Red Flag Warning in effect. Southerly winds gusting to 40+ mph
RR Link: http://www.radioreference.com/apps/a...wp&feedId=4269
Online scanner:
Agency Link:

Some more Colorado fire info sources:

http://jeffcosheriff1.blogspot.com/2...ter-as-of.html
http://twitter.com/#!/jeffcocolorado
http://www.9news.com/news/article/25...on-County-fire

http://www.wildlandfire.com/hotlist/showthread.php?t=25417

http://gacc.nifc.gov/rmcc/links/fire_info/index.html

http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/predictive/intelligence/daily/swcc_news_notes.htm

Additional Maps:

http://www.scribblemaps.com/create/#id=COnorthfork&lat=39.48312490750097&lng=-105.19908995659858&z=12&t=Hybrid&y=0&p=0

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Wednesday, March 28, 2012