California Fire Situation - Quick look

 In the last operational period several thousand lightning strikes were detected, mostly east side San Bernardino Mountains into Mohave Desert. All were wet. As of 0800 today no large fires have been reported.

A flash flood watch has been issued by the National Weather Service through this evening for the San Bernardino Mountains and Deserts, the Riverside County Mountains, Inland Empire, Santa Ana Mountains, San Diego County Mountains, Coachella Valley and the San Diego County Deserts.

CA-BEU- Turkey Fire Monterey County, Turkey Flats and Cholame, Parkfield
CAL FIRE San Benito - Monterey Unit 2,700 acres - 60% contained.


CA-SHF Flat Fire. 874 acres, 20% contained. Fire burning along Highway 299 is a major route for commerce, recreation, and commuters. Traffic control is in place but could be closed due to fire, smoke, and rolling debris along highway. Steep rocky terrain. Major recreation activity along the Trinity River corridor could be negatively affected. Transmission lines in the area. Potential for growth to the north is high due to steep terrain, accessability, heavy fuels and continued spotting. 50 structures threatened. There was one minor injury the evening of July 11.

CA-MNF Mill Fire. 23,414 acres, 45% contained. The Mill Fire is burning in northwestern Colusa County on the Mendocino National Forest.  Northern California Team 2 (NorCal2), a Type 2 Interagency Incident Management Team assumed command of the Mill Fire this morning.
   The fire showed significant growth yesterday, driven by hot, dry, conditions. Growth was predominately to the east and north. Fire behavior including active torching, crown runs, and spotting up to one half mile in advance of the main fire. 
 Accessibility issues to construct direct line due to steep terrain, heavy vegetation, and fire behavior with high rates of spread with spotting. DIV T is a narrow, razorback ridge, without road access. Dozer line in place but only a single blade width in places due to terrain limitations.
 Complex burning and holding operations require the use of Type 1 crews with support from aviation assets. 
PG&E has repaired power lines in the Fouts Springs area and plans to reenergize them today.
Smoke: Firing operations will continue today on the southern and eastern flanks of the fire. Crews used aerial (helicopter plastic sphere dispenser) and hand ignition techniques to burn out fuels and stengthen containment lines. Fire continued to back down the slope and run uphill where slope and wind direction aligned throughout the day. Minimal fire activity occurred along the fire's northern edge.
 Firing operations on the north and east flanks of the fire were successful on Thursday. Crews secured fire lines where burn out operations occurred and completed preparations for additional burn out to the south. Structure protection is in place during burn out operations.
 Air Quality: Smoke generation from the firing operation will move into the Sacramento Valley similar to dispersion patterns on Thursday. 

CA-NEU- Robbers Fire. 1157 acres, 10% contained. Extreme fire behavior observed during this operational period.The fire is burning in heavy brush and timber in steep terrain where travel is slow and difficult with limited turnouts and bridges with weight limitations.

CA-SBC/BLM- Panorama Fire started at 1:54 pm on Monday July 9th. It burned 75 acres above State Highway 18 in Waterman Canyon near Panorama Point. On Tuesday firefighters completed and improved containment lines and mopped up hotspots within the interior of the burn. It is now 100% contained.

CA-LNU- Sites Complex Fires Sites Lodoga Road, west of Maxwell, Colusa County is now 4,185 acres, 100% contained.

California Fire News 2012 

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