Telegraph Fire update: 34,091 acres - 90%

Telegraph Fire Incident Information: Telegraph Fire Incident Fact Sheet Sunday, August 3, 2008 Morning Update Unified Command –CAL FIRE, U.S. Forest Service Mariposa County Sheriff and Mariposa County Fire Department Fire Information - Phone (209) 966-4784 Media Information – Phone (209) 742-7964 Evacuation Hotline (209) 966-1133 (recorded)
Last Updated:	August 3, 2008 8:00 am
Date/Time Started:	June 25, 2008, 3:15 pm
Administrative Unit:	CAL FIRE Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit
County:	Mariposa County
Location:	Telegraph Road and Sherlock Road in the Midpines Area.
Acres Burned:	34,091 acres
Containment	90% contained
Expected Containment:	Full containment expected on August 4, 2008.
Structures Threatened:	No current threat
Structures Destroyed:	21 Residences and 33 Outbuildings
Injuries:	37 minor
Evacuations:	8/2 - All evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted. (8/1) - Residents allowed back into evacuated areas. Click Here. (7/31) - Residents allowed back into evacuated areas. Click Here. (7/30) - Residents allowed back into evacuated areas. Click Here. For the latest on current evacuations contact (209) 966-1133. Evacuation Center: Mariposa Elementary School 5044 Jones St, Mariposa
Cause:	Human (Target Shooting)
Estimated Cost:	$31.6 million
Resources Committed :	3,2,89 Personnel (2,115 CAL FIRE) 260 Fire Engines 80 Hand Crews 31 Dozers 44 Watertenders 7 Helicopters 4 Airtankers
Cooperating Agencies:	CAL FIRE, Mariposa County Fire, Mariposa Sheriffs Department, BLM, USFS, National Park Service, OES, CCC, CHP, and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Conditions:	No anticipated growth unless a significant event occurs. Interior islands continue to experience significant fire behavior with no direct threat to the primary containment lines. Concerns still remain in the northeastern portion of the fire. Air support will be critical in holding efforts. Fire suppression repair is ongoing. Significant demobilization of resources is in progress. Road restrictions on Highway 140 East of Mariposa may affect access to Yosemite National Park. Visitors to Yosemite National Park are encouraged to explore other access routes. Various other road restrictions remain in place in and around the fire area. Sherlock Road remains closed to residents. For the latest highway conditions visit Caltrans. The incident will have a North operations area (Incident Command Team # 6) and a South operations area (Incident Command Team #8). Download the latest fact sheet Click Here to view a map of the fire
Phone Numbers:	(209) 966-4784 or (209) 966-4785 Evacuation Hotline: (209) 966-1133 (recorded)

Telegraph Fire Incident Information: Telegraph Fire Incident Fact Sheet
Sunday, August 3, 2008 Morning Update
Unified Command –CAL FIRE, U.S. Forest Service
Mariposa County Sheriff and Mariposa County Fire Department
Fire Information - Phone (209) 966-4784
Media Information – Phone (209) 742-7964
Evacuation Hotline (209) 966-1133 (recorded)
Last Updated: August 3, 2008 8:00 am
Date/Time Started: June 25, 2008, 3:15 pm
Administrative Unit: CAL FIRE Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit
County: Mariposa County
Location: Telegraph Road and Sherlock Road in the Midpines Area.
Acres Burned: 34,091 acres
Containment 90% contained
Expected Containment: Full containment expected on August 4, 2008.
Structures Threatened: No current threat
Structures Destroyed: 21 Residences and 33 Outbuildings
Injuries: 37 minor
Evacuations:

8/2 - All evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted.

(8/1) - Residents allowed back into evacuated areas. Click Here.

(7/31) - Residents allowed back into evacuated areas. Click Here.

(7/30) - Residents allowed back into evacuated areas. Click Here.

For the latest on current evacuations contact (209) 966-1133.

Evacuation Information:
Mariposa Elementary School
5044 Jones St, Mariposa
Evacuations: All evacuation orders and warnings were lifted as of 2200 on 08/02/2008.
Evacuation Center: The evacuation center at Mariposa Elementary School is now closed. A Red Cross Local Assistance and Distribution Center has been established at the Midpines Community Center.
Animal Evacuations: Contact the animal evacuation hotline at 209-966-3615.
Community Meetings: Community meetings have been suspended due to residents being allowed home.
Cause: Human (Target Shooting)
Estimated Cost: $31.6 million
Resources Committed : 3,2,89 Personnel (2,115 CAL FIRE)
260 Fire Engines
80 Hand Crews
31 Dozers
44 Watertenders
7 Helicopters
4 Airtankers
Cooperating Agencies: CAL FIRE, Mariposa County Fire, Mariposa Sheriffs Department, BLM, USFS, National Park Service, OES, CCC, CHP, and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Conditions:
No anticipated growth unless a significant event occurs. Interior islands continue to experience significant fire behavior with no direct threat to the primary containment lines. Concerns still remain in the northeastern portion of the fire. Air support will be critical in holding efforts. Fire suppression repair is ongoing. Significant demobilization of resources is in progress.

Road restrictions: Fire operations on and near Highway 140 East of Mariposa may affect access to Yosemite National Park. Visitors to Yosemite National Park are encouraged to explore other access routes. Various other road restrictions remain in place in and around the fire area. Sherlock Road remains closed to residents. For the latest highway conditions visit Caltrans.

The incident will have a North operations area (Incident Command Team # 6) and a South operations area (Incident Command Team #8).

Telegraph Fire fact sheet
Fire Name: Telegraph
Geographic Location: Mariposa, Mt. Bullion, Bear Valley, Midpines, Briceburg, and Greeley Hill
Acres Burned: 34,091 acres (53 square miles)
Start Date and Time: 7/25/2008 @ 3:10 pm
Percent Contained: 90 percent
Estimated Containment Date: 08/04/2008
Cause: Target Shooting
Injuries: 9 reported yesterday, 37 total (all minor injuries)
Structures Destroyed: 21
Outbuildings Destroyed: 33
Structures threatened: 0
Resources
Crews: 80
Engines: 260
Helicopters: 7
Air Tankers: 4
Dozers: 31
Water Tender: 44
Total Personnel Assigned: 3,289
Cost to Date: $31,644,851
Current Situation:
No anticipated growth unless a significant event occurs. Interior islands continue to experience significant fire behavior with no direct threat to the primary containment lines. Concerns still remain in the northeastern portion of the fire. Air support will be critical in holding efforts. Fire suppression repair is ongoing. Significant demobilization of resources is in progress.
Current Threats: There is no threat to structures in the communities of Midpines, Mariposa, and Bear Valley.
Control Difficulties: Steep terrain, difficult access, dry vegetation, high temperatures, and low humidity.
Current Road Closures: Road restrictions on Highway 140 East of Mariposa may affect access to Yosemite National Park. Visitors to Yosemite National Park are encouraged to explore other access routes.
Cooperating Agencies: CHP, Merced County Sheriff, Mariposa SPCA, Air National Guard.

National Fire News Report ~ 8/3/08

National Preparedness Level 4

(On a scale from 1 to 5)

Current hours for the National Fire Information Center are
(MST) 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday
208-387-5050
This report will be updated daily.

August 3, 2008

Nationally, 38 large fires have burned 521,306 acres. One new large fire was reported in Texas as well as one large fire contained.

Australia and New Zealand are providing 44 fire specialists and managers to assist with fire suppression operations in California.

Weather Discussion: Weather conditions will be very hot and dry today for Texas and Oklahoma. Breezy conditions will develop in the Northern Rockies. Thunderstorms are predicted for the Rockies, mainly east of the Continental Divide.

Source: National Interagency Coordination Center

Daily statistics 8/3/08
Number of new large fires	1	States currently reporting large fires:
Number of active large fires	29 fires and complexes 38 total fires	Arizona (1) California (11) Colorado (2) Idaho (4) Montana (2) North Carolina (2) Oklahoma (1) Texas (3) Utah (2) Washington (2) Wyoming (3)
Acres from active fires	521,306
Number of Wildland Fire Use (WFU) fires	4
Number of Wildland Fire Use (WFU) acres	16,769
Fires contained since 8/2/08	1
Year-to-date large fires contained	578
Year-to-date statistics
2008 (1/1/08 - 8/3/08)	Fires: 46,278	Acres: 3,261,713
2007 (1/1/07 - 8/3/07)	Fires: 58,641	Acres: 5,213,838
2006 (1/1/06 - 8/3/06)	Fires: 73,045	Acres: 5,696,882
2005 (1/1/05 - 8/3/05)	Fires: 38,976	Acres: 4,770,286
2004 (1/1/04 - 8/3/04)	Fires: 48,233	Acres: 5,527,870
2003 (1/1/03 - 8/3/03)	Fires: 37,239	Acres: 1,833,799
2002 (1/1/02 - 8/3/02)	Fires: 53,308	Acres: 4,317,476
2001 (1/1/01 - 8/3/01)	Fires: 50,292	Acres: 1,546,227
2000 (1/1/00 - 8/3/00)	Fires: 61,932	Acres: 3,766,665
5-year average
2003 - 2008	Fires: 53,035	Acres: 4,894,118
10-year average
1998 - 2008	Fires: 52,687	Acres: 3,857,637

Current Wildland Fires
Arizona	Fires: 0	Acres: 0	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
WFU Fires: 1		Acres: 414	New WFU: 0
Oak (Kaibab National Forest): 414 acres. This fire is 110 miles south of Williams. This wildland fire use is being managed to accomplish natural resource objectives. Information: Call 928-635-5653 or visit the web site.
California	Fires: 11	Acres: 427,759	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
Bear Wallow Complex (Klamath National Forest): 11,475 acres at 17 percent contained. This complex of two fires is 13 miles southeast of Happy Camp. Residences are threatened. Information: Call (707) 467-1512 or visit the web site.
Blue 2 (Six Rivers National Forest): 6,636 acres at 52 percent contained. This fire is 12 miles east of Klamath. Cultural and communication sites are threatened. Trails and roads are closed. Information: Call (707) 457-3974 or visit the web site.
Canyon Complex (Plumas National Forest): 37,276 acres at 92 percent contained. This complex of five fires is 16 miles northeast of Paradise. Moderate fire behavior was reported. Information: Call (530) 283-7882 or visit the web site.
Iron and Alps Complex (Shasta-Trinity National Forest): 83,938 acres at 87 percent contained. This complex of three fires is one mile north of Junction City. Some residences remain threatened. Information: Call (530) 623-6415 or visit the web site.
Lime Complex (Shasta-Trinity National Forest): 62,676 acres at 85 percent contained. This complex of two fires is 14 miles west of Hayfork. Residences, ranches, and power lines remain threatened. Evacuations remain in effect. Information: Call (530) 226-2500 ext. 2 or visit the web site.
Panther (Klamath National Forest): 7,115 acres at zero percent contained. This fire is 14 miles southwest of Happy Camp. Structures and cultural resources are threatened. Information: Call 530-841-4406.
Rich (Plumas National Forest): 5,673 acres at 15 percent contained. This fire is 20 miles west of Quincy. Communities, communication sites, and power lines are threatened. Traffic is restricted on state highway 70. Information: Call 530-283-7882 or visit the web site.
Siskiyou Complex (Klamath National Forest): 59,678 acres at 60 percent contained. This complex of two fires is 18 miles southwest of Happy Camp. Cultural sites are threatened. Information: Call (530) 627-3532 or visit the web site.
Telegraph (Merced-Mariposa Unit, Cal Fire): 34,091 acres at 90 percent contained. This fire is five miles north of Mariposa. Power lines and water supply systems remain threatened. Information: Call (209) 966-4784 or (209) 966-4785 or visit the web site. Evacuation Hotline: (209) 966-1133 (recorded)
Yolla Bolly Complex (Mendocino National Forest): 77,006 acres at 48 percent contained. This complex of three fires is 47 miles southwest of Redding. Cultural sites are threatened. Information: Call (530) 934-1278 or visit the web site.
Ukonom Complex (Six Rivers National Forest): 42,195 acres at 66 percent contained. This complex is 10 miles east of Orleans. Structures, cultural sites, power lines and water supply systems remain threatened. Information: Call (530) 627-3532 or visit the web site.
Colorado	Fires: 1	Acres: 227	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
WFU Fires: 1		Acres: 400	New WFU: 0
Maverick (Ute Mountain Ute Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs): 227 acres at 80 percent contained. This fire is burning 11 miles west of Red Mesa. Information: Visit the web site.
Albin Draw (Grand Mesa/Uncompahgre/Gunnisom National Forest): 400 acres. This fire is 15 miles southeast of Nucla. This wildland fire use is being managed to accomplish natural resource objectives.
Idaho	Fires: 3	Acres: 8,570	New fires: 1	Fires contained: 0
WFU Fires: 1		Acres: 426	New WFU: 0
Rush Creek (Payette National Forest): 1,415 acres at an unknown percent contained. This previously reported fire is 50 miles east of McCall.
Cabin Creek (Payette National Forest): 3,315 acres at an unknown percent contained. This fire is 35 miles west of Cobalt. Residences are threatened. Information: Call 208-634-0700.
Sand Shed (Twin Falls District, Bureau of Land Management): 3,840 acres at 98 percent contained. This fire is five miles west of Richfield. Evacuation orders were lifted. Information: Call 208-308-5991 or visit the web site.
Willow (Caribou-Targhee National Forest): 426 acres. This fire is 11 miles west of Macks Inn. This wildland fire use is being managed to accomplish natural resource objectives.
Montana	Fires: 2	Acres: 10,238	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
Harley (Lewis and clark National Forest): 167 acres at 80 percent contained. This fire is three miles west of Neihart. Information: Visit the web site.
Cascade (Custer National Forest): 10,071 acres at 33 percent contained. This fire is 10 miles west of Red Lodge. Communities are threatened and evacuations are in place. Information: Call (406) 446-2103 or visit the web site.
North Carolina	Fires: 2	Acres: 40,954	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
Evans Road (North Carolina Division of Forest Resources): 40,704 acres at 80 percent contained. This fire is located seven miles south of Creswell. Residences are threatened. Information: Call 919-218-3179.
Double H (North Carolina Division of Forest Resources): 250 acres at 80 percent contained. This fire is 20 miles southeast of Asheville. Residences are threatened. Information: Call 919-218-3179.
Oklahoma	Fires: 1	Acres: 4,120	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
McMillen (Central and Western Office, Oklahoma Department of Forestry): 4,120 acres at 98 percent contained. The fire is located six miles northwest of Tishomingo.
Texas	Fires: 3	Acres: 2,452	New fires: 1	Fires contained: 1
Parks Complex (Texas Forest Service): The complex was contained at 1,920 acres.
NEW Dickey Loop (Texas Forest Service) 116 acres at 90 percent contaned. This fire is 12 miles west of Huntsville. Active fire behavior was reported.
Menard (Texas Forest Service): 1,024 acres at 70 percent contained. This fire is located nine miles northeast of Menard.
Taylor Road (Texas Forest Service): 1,312 acres at 65 percent contained. This fire is nine miles north of Rocksprings.
Utah	Fires: 2	Acres: 913	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
Little Bald Mountain (Wasatch-Cache National Forest): 513 acres at 15 percent contained. This fire is 11 miles southwest of Grantsville. Residences are threatened and evacuated and roads are closed. Information: Call 80-558-8016 or visit the web site.
Wagstaff (Northeast Area, Utah Department of Forestry): 400 acres at 40 percent contained. This fire is eight miles east of Tabiona. Information: Call 801-703-0225 or visit the web site.
Washington	Fires: 2	Acres: 15,113	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
Green Lake (Northeast District, Washington Department of Natural Resources): 2,600 acres at 50 percent contained. This fire is four miles northwest of Omak. Active fire behavior was reported. Residences are threatened. Evacuation orders were lifted. Information: Call 509-826-1677 or visit the web site.
Smith Lake (Washington Department of Natural Resources): 12,513 acres at 75 percent contained. This fire is four miles northwest of Grand Coulee. Active fire behavior was reported. Evacuation orders were lifted.
Wyoming	Fires: 2	Acres: 10,960	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
WFU Fires: 1		Acres: 15,529	New WFU: 0
New Fork (Bridger-Teton National Forest): 7,960 acres at nine percent contained. This fire is 15 miles north of Pinedale. Structures are threatened. Information: Call 866-651-4234.
Le Hardy (Yellowstone National Park): 3,000 acres at five percent contained. This fire is 65 miles west of Cody. Extreme fire behavior was reported. Residences remain threatened. Information: Call 307-344-7102 or visit the web site.
Gunbarrel (Shoshone National Forest): 15,529 acres. This fire is 40 miles west of Cody. This wildland fire use is being managed to accomplish natural resource objectives. Information: Call 307-578-5199 or visit the web site.

Bear Wallow Complex Fire Update - 10,775 Acres

Bear Wallow Complex Fire Update

Acres Burned: 10,775
Crews: 9
Engines: 14
Cause: Lightning
Helicopters: 3
Air Tankers: 0
Date Started: June 21, 2008
Dozers: 4
Water Tenders: 8
Percent Contained: 14 percent
Total Resources Assigned: 484
Expected Containment: 8/15/2008

Caribou Fire (9,133 ac.): The Caribou Fire is located about six miles southeast of Cecilville. On Thursday, firefighters continued burnout operations on the south and west flanks of the fire to consume forest fuels near containment lines. The fire is spreading west into the China Creek drainage and north toward the South Fork Salmon River.

Firefighters on the northwest flank of the fire burned forest fuels south of the river in anticipation of further spread in that direction. They have also laid hoses along the waterway to keep the fire south of the river as it approaches Summerville. Helicopters continue to support firefighters with water drops whenever smoke clears enough for safe flight.

Further burnout operations also occurred Thursday on the south flank of the fire on a containment line stretching from Grizzly Butte west to Rays Peak. Fire managers do not expect the fire to reach the western containment line for several days.

Anthony Milne Fire (1,642 ac.): The Anthony Milne Fire is deep within the Marble Mountain Wilderness, about 12 miles west of Etna. They will continue to monitor fire spread with helicopter flights during the day and infrared flights at night.

Area Closures: Effective July 23, 2008, the Trinity Alps Wilderness east of Cecil Lake within the Klamath National Forest is closed due to fire activity. Forest Road 38N01 is closed from its intersection with County Road 1C02 to its intersection with Forest Road 38N40. County Road 1E003 is also closed at the Petersburg Forest Service Guard Station.

About 16 miles of Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) remains closed on the Klamath National Forest to ensure the safety of hikers and equestrians during fire suppression activities. The PCT trail closure extends from Etna Summit to the intersection of the PCT with the Canyon Creek Trail (#5532). For more information about forest closures and recreational information on the Klamath National Forest, call 530-841-4451 or visit the Klamath National Forest web site at www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath.

Chief Packer was flown home to Washington

Members of the U. S. Forest Service and CAL FIRE Honor Guard carry the body of Fire Chief Daniel Packer aboard a U.S. Forest Service DC-3.
Chief Packer’s body was flown home to Washington with his wife, and representatives from the Forest Service and East Pierce Fire and Rescue of Bonney Lake, Wash. in attendance.

Yreka, CA (July 30, 2008)...US Forest Service and CAL FIRE Honor Guards transferred the body of Fire Chief Daniel Packer aboard a Forest Service DC-3 following a long procession of fire emergency vehicles from Yreka, Calif. to the Siskiyou County Airport. Over 150 firefighters came to offer a final farewell to the fallen firefighter. People aboard the plane escorting the body to Tacoma Narrows Airport included Chief Packer’s wife, representatives of the East Pierce Fire and Rescue of Bonney Lake, Washington, and the U.S. Forest Service.

Two memorial services were held for Fire Chief Daniel Packer on August 1, 2008. The first service was at the Fire Incident Command Post in Orleans, Calif. The second memorial service was at the River Park in Happy Camp, California.

A memorial service is also planned for August 7, 2008, 2pm at the Christian Faith Center, 33645 20th Ave. South, Federal Way, Washington.

The public is welcome to attend.
A memorial fund has been established. See web site www.eastpiercefire.org for more.

----------------------------
Related Information: Panther Fire Incident Investigation Team

Yreka, CA (July 29, 2008)...The Panther Fire Incident Investigation Team arrived on the Klamath National Forest on July 28, 2008 to gather information on the events leading up to the death of Fire Chief Daniel Bruce Packer while working on the Panther Fire on July 26, 2008.

The purpose of the accident investigation is to provide fire managers with information for accident prevention. Jim Reaves is the team leader; Ivan Pupulidy is the Chief Investigator. Reaves said, "The accident investigation team is brought together to gather and interpret information to help managers understand how and why the accident occurred."

Team members will gather physical and photographic evidence, interview witnesses, and prepare a safety investigation report. The team’s final report will be submitted to the Accident Review Board at the agency’s Washington, D.C. office within 45 days from the date that the investigation team convened. After their review, the Accident Review Board will submit that report to the Chief of the Forest Service.

A preliminary report was made 24 hours after the date of the accident. Reaves' team will submit a 72-hour report following their initial assessment. Both reports may be viewed on the Klamath National Forest website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath.

Chief Packer, Lake Tapps, Wash and Fire Chief of East Pierce Fire and Rescue, had responded to a request by the U.S. Forest Service to serve as a Division Supervisor for the incident management team managing the Siskiyou Complex. At the time of the accident Packer had been doing reconnaissance of the Panther Fire in preparation for his team to take over responsibility the next day for managing the Panther Fire.

----------------------------

72-hour report - Fatality of Andrew Palmer

72-hour report released on fatality of Andrew Palmer

REDDING, Calif. (July 31, 2008) – The U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service jointly released the 72-hour report on the fatality of 18 year old firefighter Andrew Palmer from Port Townsend, Wash.

"This report is published on a short time frame and thus the information is subject to revision as further investigation is conducted and additional information is developed," said Michael Odle, spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service.

"We are working closely with the National Park Service to ensure a thorough and efficient investigation is conducted," said Odle. "It is our hope the investigation will provide lessons learned to reduce the risk of a similar incident in the future."

"The next step it to continue or investigative process looking more thoroughly at all the information we have gathered over the last several days. We will take our time and be methodical in our review; we lost a life and we owe Andrew our diligence in this investigation," said Odle. "We have no time frame for the completion of our investigation."

Palmer was a firefighter assigned to the Iron Complex of fires on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The incident occurred on the Eagle Fire.

The Forest Service, National Park Service as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) continue their investigation into the tragic occurrence.

----------------

Subject:
72 hour Expanded Report, Dutch Creek Incident; Iron Complex; Shasta-Trinity NF, Region 5, July 25, 2008

The Following Information is Preliminary and Subject to Change

Location: Eagle Fire, Iron Complex, Trinity River Management Unit, Shasta-Trinity NF, California
Date of occurrence: July 25, 2008
Time of occurrence: Approximately 1350 hours
Mission: Mitigating Hazard trees during mop-up.
Activity: Felling a tree to secure the line.
Number injured: None
Number of fatalities: 1
Property damage: None
Narrative: On July 22, 2008, an Engine from Olympic National Park received a resource order to report to the Iron Complex on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest near Weaverville, CA.
Upon arrival to the Incident Command Post (ICP) on July 23, the crew reported mechanical problems with the engine that required the engine captain to drive the vehicle into Redding, CA for service.
The remainder of the engine module stayed at ICP and on July 24, were given a logistical assignment in camp. On July 25, while the engine captain was attempting to obtain a replacement engine from Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, the three crew members were assigned as a Class B falling team to Bravo Division on the Eagle Fire.
Their assignment was to support hand and engine crews during mop-up operations mitigating hazard trees ahead of them along the fireline.
At approximately 1350 hours, the crew called for medical assistance for a severely injured firefighter/swamper on their crew. Emergency medical personnel responded and treated the injured firefighter Andrew J. Palmer.
Due to heavy smoke conditions requiring IFR capability, primary helicopter resources were unable to respond to the injured firefighter’s location. Personnel carried Palmer, by litter, to a location where he was hoisted into a U.S. Coast Guard rescue helicopter at approximately 1630 hours.
En route to the Redding Municipal Airport, to meet the ambulance, Palmer went into cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead on arrival at approximately 1706 hours at the Redding Municipal Airport.
A Chief level Accident Investigation is ongoing.

----------------

Previous news release: July 25

Washington firefighter killed on northern California fire

REDDING, Calif. (July 25, 2008) – National Park Service firefighter Andrew Palmer, 18, a firefighter with the Olympic National Park headquartered in Port Angeles, Wash. died while en route to Redding, Calif. this evening. He was being transported for emergency treatment of multiple injuries.

Forest Service officials learned of the fatality at approximately 5:45 p.m.

"Each and every member of the firefighting community feels a tragedy of this type. We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Andrew, who selflessly served to protect," said Shasta-Trinity National Forest Supervisor Sharon Heywood.

Palmer was a firefighter assigned to the Iron Complex of fires on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The incident occurred on the southwest flank of the Eagle Fire late this afternoon.

"Andy was a dedicated and energetic firefighter who loved his job. We are all very sad, and our thoughts are with his family and the rest of the firefighters on this fire," said Olympic National Park Superintendent Karen Gustin.

A Critical Incident Management Stress team is being set-up to provide support to fellow firefighters who may need assistance dealing with the loss.

Next of kin have been notified. An accident investigation board has been assembled by the Forest Service as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) into the tragic occurrence.

A fund will be established by the Wildland Firefighter Foundation in Andrew's name. The foundation is online at http://wffoundation.org/ and can be contacted by calling 877-336-2950.

More information will be released as it becomes available.

Area Command Fire Information center closing

Area Command Information Center to Close - Iron, Lime, and Yolla Bolly Complexes

REDDING , Calif. (August 2, 2008) - The Area Command Information Center will be closing on Saturday, August 2 at 8:00 pm due to decreased fire activity. The Area Command Information Center has been compiling information concerning the Iron, Lime, and Yolla Bolly Complexes on the Shasta-Trinity, Mendocino and Six Rivers National Forests, as well as information on area closures across the Forests.

Beginning Sunday, August 3 information concerning fire activity can be found at the following phone numbers:

24-hour fire information recorded line: (530) 226-2500, press 2

• Iron Complex: (530) 623-6415
• Lime Complex: (530) 628-4392
• Yolla Bolly Complex: (530) 833-0357

Information concerning area closures on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest can be found at (530) 226-2500 and on the Forest website at www.fs.fed.us/r5/shastatrinity/conditions/closures/.

Information concerning area closures on the Mendocino National Forest can be found at (530) 934-1633 and on the Forest website at www.fs.fed.us/r5/mendocino/recreation/regs/closures/.

Information concerning area closures on the Six Rivers National Forest can be found at (530) 93416-33 and on the Forest website at www.fs.fed.us/r5/sixrivers/conditions/.

CA-PNF- Rich Fire - Plumas County - 5,198 acres and 10%

Updated: Rich Fire - Plumas County - CA-PNF - Rich = 5,198 acres and 10% containment

Location: 20 miles west of Quincy in the Plumas National Forest, Feather River canyon, about 150 miles northeast of Sacramento California
Evacuations: Residents in the enclaves of Rush Creek, Virgilia and Rich Bar were asked to evacuate. An evacuation center was set up in Quincy.
Road closures: Highway 70 through Plumas County was closed west of Quincy
The fire was burning in
Fuels / terrain: steep terrain, difficult access.
Resources: 500 firefighters

Telegraph Fire 34,034 acres and is 80% percent contained

Telegraph Fire Updates - Wildland fire - News and Notes -
All evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted as of 2200.
The Telegraph fire has burned 53 square miles
Telegraph (CA-MMU-9779) 08-02-08 0800 - 34,034 acres and is 80% percent contained. All evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted as of 2200. Fire suppression repair is ongoing. Significant demobilization of Type I and II Engine Strike Teams has begun.

Telegraph Fire
Taken on Saturday July 26th 14:01.
North Side of Sherlock Creek as it made it's run East towards Telegraph & Sherlock Road.
Credit: Tim Walton - Photo One Productions

Telegraph (CA-MMU-9779) 0008-01-08 08 - Fire is 34,034 acres and is 60% percent contained. The community of Midpines has minimal threat potential and is still under an evacuation advisory. Various roads between Mariposa and Midpines are under an evacuation order. The majority of residents were allowed to re-enter today, with the exception of Sherlock Rd. and parts of the community of Midpines. Hwy 140 will have various restrictions East of Mariposa.
Out of state Type 6 Engines are enroute to the incident. This could potentially free up some Type III Engines.
Containment on the southern portion and continued containment progress on the northern portion of the fire was directly related to the resource availably. Significant demobilization is planned for 8/1. Fire activity may alter this plan. resources continue to strengthen and improve fire lines while also progressing with fire suppression repair.

Telegraph (CA-MMU-9779) 07-31-08 0800 - The fire continues to burn some 33,705 acres of Timber (litter and understory)and
Mixed Conifer with litter and Manzanita underneath. . and s 40 % contained.

North end of the fire is a running surface fire with occasional single tree torching and short range spotting. The remainder of the incident is experiencing moderate fire behavior. Logistical support is now available at Kassabaum Spike Camp.

The incident is now operating in an Area Command (Hodson), with north and south operational areas. ICT 6 will command the north area and ICT 8 will command the south area. The Merced River will be the operational area break.

An evacuation center has been established at the Mariposa Elementary School. Kassabaum Spike Camp is now operational.

Fire suppression repair has begun.

Some residents were allowed to reenter last night.

Telegraph Fire - Other sources:
Fire victims 'ran for our lives' -

MIDPINES, Calif. — When a wall of flames shot up a canyon and forced Steve and Linda Hakanson to run from their home of 20 years they barely had time to grab a few photos, clothes and some of their pets.

"We basically all ran for our lives," said Steve Hakanson, 58, a contractor newspaper distributor.

"I'm looking in my rearview mirror, and all I could see was red," Linda said.

Thursday, they returned to the area for a brief visit along with residents of 150 other homes caught in a wildfire that has burned 53 square miles in and around Yosemite National Park. Ashes were no longer flying about, but the smell of smoke lingered.

They stood in front of the charred remains of their home for 10 minutes. That was all their sheriff's escort would allow because of the danger of a return of the flames.

Full story at USA Today - link

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Great Telegraph Fire slide show from the front lines of the Telegraph fire - Link -

Great Hot Shot photos, crew, equipment, aircraft action pictures, and of course Wild land Fire pictures.

This auto running slide show is set to rock music.

DC-10 dropping on Fremont peak Mount Bullion ridge.
July 26th Bear valley / Highway 49 Fremont Peak
Mt. Bullion ridge Repeater site - Cell phone tower site
Credit: Picture from slide show - Al Gollub - Al Gollub photography- Link