Quick look: Nearly 500k acres burning 08-24-12

Friday, August 24, 2012

Quick look: Nearly 500k acres burning 08-24-12

National Fire Activity
Initial attack activity: Light (99 new fires)
New large fires: 10 (*)
Large fires contained: 11
Uncontained large fires: ** 26
Area Command Teams committed: 1
NIMOs committed: 2
Type 1 IMTs committed: 8
Type 2 IMTs committed: 10
** Uncontained large fires include only fires being managed under a full suppressionstrategy.

Four MAFFS C-130 aircraft and support personnel from the 302nd Airlift Wing, Colorado Springs (US Air Force Reserve), and the 153rd Airlift Wing, Cheyenne (Wyoming Air National Guard) are supporting wildland fire suppression operations out of Boise, ID. One MAFFS from the 145th Airlift Wing, Charlotte (North Carolina Air National Guard), along with one MAFFS from the 146th Airlift Wing, Channel Islands
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California Wildfires Today

California Wildfires Map
Locations, Perimeters and Hot-Spots

Northern California ONCC

Northern California Area (PL 5)
New fires: 11
New large fires: 0
Uncontained large fires: 9
NIMOs committed: 1
Type 1 IMTs committed: 3
Type 2 IMTs committed: 3

CA-TGU Ponderosa Fire. 27,978 acres. 61% contained.
The fire continues its surface spread and makes runs where the slope and wind aligns; spotting in excess of 1/8th of a mile continues to be a problem for crews in Division U. Fuel beds are extremely receptive to fire brands with the probability of ignition in excess of 90%. Damage assessment continues with the collection of more accurate information. Power was restored to Manton and surrounding areas at 7:00 this morning. Evacuation warnings remain in effect for Highway 36 from Ponderosa Sky Ranch to Lassen Lodge and Mineral communities.
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CA-SHF Bagley Fire. 8,310 acres. 0% contained.
Steadily burning heavy timber and brush fuels with moderate rates of spread, isolated single tree & group torching and moderate-range spotting.Long travel times and poor access require spike camps. Steep terrain, heavy fuel loadings, low RH and erratic winds are hampering containment efforts. SPI timber lands in and around the fire area are a priority as are power lines integral to the Northern California electric grid.
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CA-PNF Chips Fire. 63,147 acres. 55% contained.
Fire behavior was moderate with short runs and spotting. There is a community meeting tonight in Hamilton Branch and a meeting tomorrow in Twain. Mandatory Evacuation of the communities of Canyon Dam, Big Meadows. Prattville has been lifted to advisement. Type 1 helicopters are essential to minimize fire spread and support ground troops in direct line construction.
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CA-NOD Rush Fire. 320,793 acres. 64% contained.
The southern portion of the northeast flank is actively burning towards the Buffalo Meadows Ranch and Poodle Mtn WSA. Lack of water sources, critically dry fuels,long travel distances and visibility issues for aircraft have continued to pose significant challenges. Live fuel moistures and ERC's are at record levels and are contributing to extreme fire behavior.
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CA-MNF North Pass Fire. 18,500 acres. 10% contained.
Aggressive fire behavior with crown fire runs and short/intermediate range spotting. Good progress was made in Divisions A, B, and Z. Fire moved to within 1 mile of contingency lines, and is still actively burning to the East. There are mandatory evacuations of residential structures, forest area closures, multiple road closures in place.
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CA-MDF Antelope Fire. 650 acres. 20% contained.
Near Jacks Butte in the Big Sage Management Unit. Very rough roads with lava rock making for a 1-2 hour drive in from the nearest decent Forest Road. Concern about other Forest holdovers difficult to detect due to regional haze and smoke. Control problems are a concern due to forecasted winds.
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CA-KNF Fort Complex. 6,683 acres. 37% contained.
mostly backing fire with some rollout, isolated torching, slope flanking and small uphill runs.
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CA-BTU Mill Fire. 1,641 acres. 100% contained.
Mop up still exist within the Mill Creek Drainage area and the use of crews is critical. Roll out potential and difficult terrain are still concerns. Snags actively falling in fire area. Extended travel time to incident and long difficult access.
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Southern California OSCC
Southern California Area (PL 3)
New fires: 20
New large fires: 0
Uncontained large fires: 1
Light initial attack in the GACC, and no large fire activity.

CA-STF- Ramsey, Stanislaus NF. 1,137 acres, 95% .

Eight miles east of Dorrington, CA. Timber. Creeping and smoldering.

Last report unless significant activity occurs.

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More Fireline Reading:

Hazard Tree Safety Web Page
Incident Response Pocket Guide
Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations, "Red Book"
Fireline Handbook

• 10 Standard Fire Orders • 18 Watch-outs • LCES •

CFN - California Fire News 2012

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How fires get their names

Every year in California thousands of wildfires start throughout the state. In most cases, the dispatch center sending the initial resources to a wildland fire will designate a name for the fire, but the first on scene engine or fire official can also name the incident. Fires are usually named for the area in which they start – a geographical location, local landmark, street, lake, mountain, peak, etc. Quickly naming the fire provides responding fire resources with an additional locater, and allows fire officials to track and prioritize incidents by name. For example during the Southern California Fire Siege of 2003, the largest wildland fire in California history, the Cedar Fire in San Diego County, was named after the Cedar Creek Falls area where it started. The destructive Old Fire, which burned during the same time period in San Bernardino County, was named after the road along which it started - Old Waterman Canyon Road.

CAL FIRE is the largest fire department in California and the second largest fire department in the United States. CDF - CAL FIRE Firefighters answer the call more than 300,000 times a year. CAL FIRE Firefighters make up the fire department for 30 of our 58 counties in California and more than 100 local communities. We serve as the incident command during many of California’s most serious disasters. CAL FIRE Firefighters respond to many various types and forms of calls ranging from structural fires, to auto accidents, to earthquakes, to floods, to the spilling of hazardous materials, to every conceivable disaster; CAL FIRE answer's the calls. CAL FIRE is the largest fire department in California and the second largest fire department in the United States . CAL FIRE firefighters protect 33 million acres of State Responsibility Area (SRA). We have over 4,000 members within CAL FIRE and CAL FIRE is associated with the California Professional Firefighters (CPF) and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF).

CFN - CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS - CAL FIRE NEWS

Friday, August 24, 2012