Wednesday, June 27, 2007

California Fire News

California Fire News

ANGORA FIRE - UPDATED:Perimeter maps of South Lake Tahoe

Posted: 27 Jun 2007 02:42 PM CDT

Composite GEO-MAC maps of South Lake Tahoe

ANGORA FIRE MAPS


ANGORA FIRE PERIMETER MAPS

REPORTED FIRE PERIMETERS

angora fire map

GEO-MAC REPORTED FIRE PERIMETERS ANGORA FIRE


Thermal satellite map view of ANGORA FIRE

angora fire map perimetersAngora fire map perimeters
CLICK MAPS TO ENLARGE


UPDATED: HMS 2007-06-26; Thermal MODIS: 2007-06-27 1539 (GMT); Fire Perimeters 2007-06-27; Sit Reports 2007-06-26

Perimeters are collected in the field by a variety of means, including infrared flights, and by using a GPS unit to map the perimeter. Please NOTE: GeoMAC only displays perimeter data as they are submitted by field offices. Since data are not received for all fires, you may not be able to view perimeters for every fire.

A perimeter is displayed in one of two ways depending upon how old it is. Once a perimeter is more than two days old, or is replaced by a more current perimeter, it is displayed in blue-gray in the Past 2007 Perimeters layer. Also, perimeters are usually no longer collected in the field once a fire is no longer growing in size and is mostly contained.

News: Governor To Conduct News Conference Regarding Lake Tahoe Fire

Posted: 27 Jun 2007 02:40 PM CDT

Governor To Conduct News Conference Regarding Lake Tahoe Fire

A day after a flare-up forced thousands of residents to flee, Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger is scheduled to conduct a news conference regarding the wildfire
near Lake Tahoe.

FIRE WEATHER WATCH - Modoc National Forest

Posted: 27 Jun 2007 01:31 PM CDT

Increasing southwest winds and low humidities Thursday afternoon over the
Modoc National Forest:


FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING FOR STRONG GUSTY SOUTHWEST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEDFORD HAS ISSUED A FIRE WEATHER WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING FOR STRONG GUSTY SOUTHWEST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES. AN UNSEASONABLY STRONG LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM LOCATED OFF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST COAST WILL SHIFT CLOSER TO THE COAST THURSDAY. THIS WILL CAUSE THE UPPER LEVEL WINDS TO INCREASE OVER THE REGION THURSDAY THEN SURFACE ACROSS MUCH OF THE MODOC NATIONAL FOREST THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING. EXPECT SOUTHWEST WINDS TO INCREASE TO 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 35 MPH THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

Instruction:
A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR THIS EVENT TO OCCUR. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE RED FLAG WARNINGS.

Area: MODOC COUNTY EXCEPT FOR THE SURPRISE VALLEY-

Affected Counties: Shasta, Modoc, Trinity, Siskiyou, Lassen, Del Norte, Humboldt

CA-TMU-Angora - Wildland fire

Posted: 27 Jun 2007 12:43 PM CDT

Angora Fire Area
Mapping by LTBMU and California Team 1
Current as of 6-26-2007_2336hrs
Data Conversion by NorthTree Fire International.
http://www.northtreefire.com/gis

CA-TMU-Angora
Condensed from morning 209 0530 hours

28: Major problems and concerns.
Firefighter and public safety. A wind event is expected to develop over the next couple of days potentially bringing gusts to over 40 mph. A Red Flag Warning will be in effect for the next operational period due to the wind and extreme fuel moistures. A mandatory evacuation for the communities just south of Highway 89 remains in effect. Highway 89 remains closed at the Highway 50 and Highway 89 junction.

29: Natural and Cultural Resources to be protected (kind(s) and value/significance):
Cultural resources including historic Angora Lookout and Baldwin, Pope and Valhalla Estates remain threatened. Scenic Byways and high use tourist locations are threatened as well. Important wildlife and aquatic habitats exist within fire area including: Spotted Owl and Goshawk nesting sites, Federally threatened Lahontan Cutthroat Trout, and other wildlife and sensitive plant species.

30: Current Weather Conditions
Wind Speed: calm mph
Temperature: 42
Wind Direction:
Relative Humidity: 55%

31: Fuels/Materials Involved: 2 Timber (grass and understory)
Heavy Timber with large dead and down component

32: Today's observed fire behavior:
Fire behavior was light last operational period. Some active burning was observed in Divisions E and D.

33: Significant events today:
Control line was reestablished in Div-E and Div-D. Crews continued to hold and mopup. Line improvement was continued in Divisions S and V with light activity in these Divisions. A mandatory evacuation remains in effect for the communities South of Highway 89. A road closure will remain in effect for Highway 89 at the Highway 50 Junction.

37: Actions planned for next operational period:
Structure protection will continue in threatened communities in preparation for predicted wind event. Continue line improvement in all Divisions. Patrol and Mopup to a depth of 200'. Crews will continue to remove potentially dangerous snags.

InciWeb: Angora Fire News Release #5

Posted: 27 Jun 2007 11:59 AM CDT

Hiway 89 at West Way
Credit: Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

Angora Fire News Release #5

Incident: Angora
Released: 2007-06-26 12:59:00 ET

Today's Date: Tuesday, June 26, 2007 9:00 p.m.
Contact: Kristi Schroeder, Public Information Officer
Incident Fire Info: LTBMU Forest Supervisor's Office
Start Date: June 24, 2007, 2:00 p.m.
Location: South of Lake Tahoe and west of Fallen Leaf Lake
Acreage: 3,100 Containment: 44% Expected Containment: July 3, 2007
Fuel type: Heavy timber Injuries: 1 minor Cause: Under Investigation
Committed Fire Resources: 1,889 (updated numbers not available)
Engines: 145 Crews: 54 Helicopters: 11 Dozers: 2 Water Tenders: 14
Discussion:

· Two U.S. Forest Service firefighters were forced to deploy their fire shelters when the wind direction shifted about 2:30 p.m. The firefighters were uninjured and checked at the hospital.

· Afternoon gusts generated increased fire activity along the north end of the Angora Fire. This resulted in spot fires outside the fire line along Highway 89 and extended the fire perimeter on the north end by about 200 acres. Firefighters were able to extinguish all the spot fires.

· Evacuation: Local enforcement agencies instituted additional evacuations based on the threat.

Current evacuations are now listed on the City of South Lake Tahoe website at http://cityofslt.us. As
these may change please refer to this site for the latest information.

At this time the new additions as of 4:00 P.M, Tuesday, June 26, 2007 are:
o Gardner Mountain area: The following streets are under mandatory evacuation: 13th Street,
Gardner Street, Taylor Way, Panther St., Julie Lane, Clement St., Roger Ave, Shady Lane,
Tata Lane.
o The following streets in the Tahoe Keys area are under mandatory evacuation: West Way,
Lukins Way.
o The following streets are under voluntary evacuation: 15th St. and Venice Dr.

· Mandatory evacuations are still in effect for Tahoe Paradise, Fallen Leaf Campground, Tahoe Mountain, and Upper Angora areas.

The Evacuation Center is at South Tahoe Parks and Recreation at

1180 Rufus Allen Blvd. (530) 541-2850.

The County Sheriff has established an Evacuation Re-Entry hot line with information at (530) 621-5860.

· Increased winds are predicted starting Wednesday potentially bringing gusts up to 30 mph. A Red Flag warning will be in effect.

· A Public Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. at the South Lake Tahoe Middle School.

#####

· Road Closures: Highway 89 is closed between the intersection with Highway 50 (Y) and Emerald

Bay. Fallen Leaf Road remains under checkpoint.

· Incident Management Team 1 assumed management of the Angora Fire effective 6:00 a.m., Tuesday

June 26.
For All Fire Information: (530) 543-2842 and 2824
END

Update: 'White Fire' costs estimated at $1.5million

Posted: 27 Jun 2007 11:28 AM CDT

Update: 'White Fire' costs estimated at $1.5million - Tehachapi News - Tehachapi News:

Photo of a heli-drop on the White Fire, on June 26.
Title: white fire helidrop fabmom05.jpeg
Credit: fabmom05

Update: 'White Fire' costs estimated at $1.5million
By: Carin Enovijas, Tehachapi News Editor

Description: Blaze is now 40 percent contained
Posted by editor Tue Jun 26, 2007 14:39:08 PDT

As of 1:30 p.m. PST, the "White Fire" has burned more than 10,400 acres as it continues to spread across the steep ridges of Oak Creek and Horse Thief Canyon areas, approximately 20 miles northwest of Rosamond and due south of Tehachapi, according CAL Fire public information officer Craig Tolmie.

"With the given erratic winds, the fire will continue to spread to the northeast and northwest," predicted a CAL Fire 12 hour status summary, prepared at 7 p.m. yesterday, prior to the destruction of the last 1,100 acres.

A unified command report from early this morning estimated that $1.5 million in resources have been utilized so far, with 865 firefighting personnel on the scene, currently achieving 40 percent containment of the wildfire.

According to Tolmie, one member of the CAL Fire team has been transported to an unspecified medical facility for treatment of injuries sustained while fighting the blaze. The firefighter's condition is unknown at this time, Tolmie reported.

Tolmie also confirmed that five structures have been destroyed in the Oak Creek Canyon area, although the type of structure remains unknown. As many as 150 structures remain at risk in the Oak Creek and Blackburn Canyon areas, and according to CAL Fire updates, area wind farms and the community of Tehachapi could be at risk within the next 24 to 48 hours.

One Tehachapi News reader responded via email to a previous fire update, stating that her home had been destroyed. Attempts to contact the homeowner were unsuccessful as of press time.

"Falling snags and rolling material are causing slopovers in steep portions of the fire line. Adverse weather conditions are causing rapid fire growth. Perimeter control and structure protection is being hampered by poor access to the incident," stated CAL Fire updates.

Firefighters continue to access the blaze via Tehachapi Willow Springs Road, said Tolmie, adding that local wind farms should be safe for at least 24 hours before any potential threat becomes imminent.

Representatives from Oak Creek Wind Energy Systems were unavailable for comment at press time, although office staff indicated those representatives are currently cooperating with firefighting crews.

"At this point, things are looking good," reported Tolmie, adding "Steep terrain is causing difficulties and requiring a lot of effort by hand crews."

Update: Oak Creek Energy Systems offers to aid firefighters

Stuart Smith, project developer for Oak Creek Energy Systems, reported at approximately 2:30 p.m. today, that the White Fire remains at a safe distance from the Oak Creak Canyon wind farm facility.

Smith said he has met with firefighters to show them different access routes to the area's canyons and steep, wilderness terrain.

"It's not threatening us at this point," Smith said. "The fire crews have cut a wide path between the fire and our site."

Smith also said that the fire has burnt some of the surrounding areas that have been proposed for future wind energy sites.

"That's the unfortunate part. It's beautiful country out there to begin with and wind energy preserves the country. It doesn't tear it up," Smith said.

Smith also indicated that the smoke and overall air quality has improved drastically since yesterday.

"The smoke was fairly thick yesterday it's much better today," he said. "Yesterday it blocked out the sun. We didn't see blue skies until we left at the end of the day."

Smith said that due to their rural location, the company is "used to" making themselves available to help firefighters in any way they possibly can during an emergency or other situation.

"We're happy to open up the conference room to the fire department if they need assistance. They know they can come up and get maps or water or just use it as a pit stop place if they need to," said Smith.

Topics: White Fire, kcfd, CAL Fire, BLM, Tehachapi, Oak Creek, rosamond

White Fire General Information - CAL FIRE

Posted: 27 Jun 2007 10:57 AM CDT

CAL FIRE - White Fire General Information:

White Fire

White Fire Incident Information:
Last Updated: June 27, 2007 8:00 am
Date/Time Started: June 24, 2007 8:57 am
Administrative Unit: Kern County Fire
County: Kern
Location: Twin Oaks, 20 miles northwest of Rosamond
Acres Burned: 10,700 acres
Containment 50% containment - 10,700 acres
Twin Oaks, 20 miles northwest of Rosamond
Structures Destroyed:8 residence and 5 outbuildings destroyed
Threatened: 150 residences threatened
Evacuations: Evacuations continue for the community of Oak Creek.
Injuries: 1
Cause: Under Investigation
Cooperating Agencies: Kern County Fire, Office of Emergency Services, USFS, CHP, Kern County Sherrifs Office, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Red Cross, Sierra Sands Unified School District
Total Fire Personnel: 1,441 (936 CAL FIRE)
Fire crews: 53 (38 CAL FIRE)
Engines: 72 (40 CAL FIRE)
Airtankers: 6 (2 CAL FIRE)
Helicopters: 7
Dozers: 20 (12 CAL FIRE)
Water tenders: 12
Costs to date: $2 million
Major Incident Command Team: Incident Command Team #7 (Hutchinson)
Conditions: Adverse weather conditions are causing rapid fire growth.
Cal Fire Incident Command Team 7 has assumed command of the Incident and has established and implemented Unified Command with Kern County Fire, and BLM.
Phone Numbers (661) 391-7086 (White Fire Information)

Angora Fire General Information - CAL FIRE

Posted: 27 Jun 2007 10:55 AM CDT

CAL FIRE - Angora Fire General Information:

Angora Fire

Angora Fire Incident Information:
Last Updated: June 27, 2007 6:45 am
Date/Time Started: June 24, 2007 2:10 pm
Administrative Unit: Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
County: El Dorado County
Location: West of South Lake Tahoe
Acres Burned: 3,100 acres; Full containment expected on July 3, 2007.
Containment 44% contained - 3,100 acres
West of South Lake Tahoe.
Control:Full control expected on July 3, 2007 at 6:00 pm
Structures Destroyed:176 residence and 75 commercial structures have been destroyed
26 residence have been damaged
Threatened: 950 homes, 325 commercial properties and 300 out buildings.
Evacuations: Mandatory evacuations are in effect for the communities just south of Highway 89.
Volunteer evacuations to the north of Highway 89.
Injuries: 2
Cause: Under Investigation
Cooperating Agencies: All fire agencies within the Tahoe Basin, USFS, CAL FIRE, CHP, South Lake Tahoe Police Department, El Dorado County Sheriffs Office, Red Cross, Civil Air Patrol.
Total Fire Personnel: 1,809 (504 CAL FIRE)
Fire crews: 35 (23 CAL FIRE)
Engines: 186 (22 CAL FIRE)
Helicopters: 12
Dozers: 2 (1 CAL FIRE)
Water tenders: 14
Costs to date: $2.6 million
Major Incident Command Team: Unified Command.
Conditions: The fire is burning in heavy timber and rugged terrain.
A wind event is expected to develop over the next couple of days potentially bringing gusts to over 40 mph. A Red Flag Alert will be in effect for the next operational period due to the wind and extreme fuel moistures.

Highway 89 remains closed at the Highway 50 and Highway 89 junction.

Phone Numbers (530) 543-2694 (Angora Fire Information)

EDIS fire weather watch remains in effect from thursday afternoon through thursday evening for the eastern sierra and parts of western nevad

Posted: 27 Jun 2007 10:44 AM CDT

EDIS Fire weather watch remains in effect from thursday afternoon through thursday evening for the eastern sierra and parts of western nevada for gusty winds and low humidity:

"A FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING. A STRONG LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO BECOME STATIONARY OFF THE WEST COAST AND BRING GUSTY WINDS TO THE REGION THURSDAY. SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL INCREASE THURSDAY AFTERNOON TO 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS OF 30 TO 40 MPH LIKELY. VERY DRY CONDITIONS OVER THE REGION WILL ALLOW THE RELATIVE HUMIDITY TO DROP TO BETWEEN 6 AND 15 PERCENT. GUSTY WINDS AND DRY CONDITIONS MAY CONTINUE FRIDAY.

Instruction:
A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE. LISTEN FOR UPDATES FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AND POSSIBLE UPGRADES TO A RED FLAG WARNING.

Area: MONO-EASTERN ALPINE COUNTIES-WEST CENTRAL NEVADA BASIN AND RANGE-MINERAL AND SOUTHERN LYON COUNTIES-

Affected Counties: Modoc, Plumas, Mono, Lassen, El Dorado, Madera, Alpine, Sierra, Shasta, Tuolumne, Placer, Inyo, Fresno, Nevada

Sent: 2007-06-27T05:17:45-07:00"

REDIS Red flag warning remains in effect from 1 pm this afternoon to 9 pm pdt this evening for parts of northeast california and northwest ne

Posted: 27 Jun 2007 10:41 AM CDT

Red flag warning remains in effect from 1 pm this afternoon to 9 pm pdt this evening for parts of northeast California and northwest Nevada for gusty winds and low humidity:

A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 9 PM PDT THIS EVENING. A FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING. A STRONG LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO BECOME STATIONARY OFF THE WEST COAST AND BRING GUSTY WINDS TO THE AREA BEGINNING THIS AFTERNOON. SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL INCREASE TO 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS OF 30 TO 35 MPH. VERY DRY CONDITIONS OVER THE REGION WILL ALLOW THE RELATIVE HUMIDITY TO DROP TO BETWEEN 6 AND 15 PERCENT. GUSTY WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO BECOME MORE WIDESPREAD AND SLIGHTLY STRONGER THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. HUMIDITY WILL INCREASE SOME THURSDAY ALTHOUGH LEVELS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN BELOW THE CRITICAL 15 PERCENT THRESHOLD SOUTH OF A LINE FROM SUSANVILLE TO GERLACH DURING THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

Instruction:
A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL OCCUR. A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE. STAY TUNED TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FOR UPDATES AS THESE CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS DEVELOP.

Area: EASTERN LASSEN COUNTY-NORTHERN WASHOE COUNTY-

Affected Counties: Modoc, Plumas, Mono, Lassen, El Dorado, Madera, Alpine, Sierra, Shasta, Tuolumne, Placer, Inyo"

Red flag warning remains in effect from 1 pm this afternoon to 9 pm pdt this evening for the tahoe basin for gusty winds and low humidi

Posted: 27 Jun 2007 10:38 AM CDT

Red flag warning remains in effect from 1 pm this afternoon to 9 pm pdt this evening for the tahoe basin for gusty winds and low humidity

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

Instruction:
A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL OCCUR. A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE. STAY TUNED TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FOR UPDATES AS THESE CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS DEVELOP.

Area: GREATER LAKE TAHOE AREA-

Affected Counties: Modoc, Plumas, Mono, Lassen, El Dorado, Madera, Alpine, Sierra, Shasta, Tuolumne, Placer, Inyo, Fresno, Nevada

THE PERFECT STORM? IS THIS THE BIG ONE?

Posted: 27 Jun 2007 12:07 AM CDT

Cal Fire news editors editorial thoughts:
  • BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD SPACE?.
  • BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL?.
  • WEATHER FORECAST DOES NOT BODE WELL FOR FIRE FIGHTING EFFORTS IN SOUTH LAKE TAHOE INCREASING RED FLAGS AND WATCHS MOST LIKELY NEXT FEW DAYS POSSIBLY CONTINUING TILL WEEKEND.
I was very impressed after watching the last Angora Fire press conference.

The fire Commander Rich Hawkins, IC appeared to be a leader of men, A man who had the t-shirt, been there done that, Git r' done, not his first rodeo kind of guy.

I think we have a great General on the Fireline but he has a difficult weather situation coming up and this thing could go all the way to the lake.

They won some mighty hard fought battles today with that mile wide crowning slop over, If he saves Camp Richardson and the Tahoe keys and lets the Lake stop it he wins the war

Angora Fire General Information

Posted: 26 Jun 2007 10:55 PM CDT

CAL FIRE Angora Fire General Information:

Angora Fire

Angora Fire Incident Information:
Last Updated: June 26, 2007 6:45 pm
Date/Time Started: June 24, 2007 2:10 pm
Administrative Unit: Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
County: El Dorado County
Location: West of South Lake Tahoe
Acres Burned: 3,100 acres; Full containment expected on July 3, 2007.
Containment 44% contained - 3,100 acres
West of South Lake Tahoe.
Control:Full control expected on July 1, 2007 at 6:00 pm
Structures Destroyed:200 residence and 75 commercial structures have been destroyed.
Threatened: 500 homes, 300 commercial properties and 150 out buildings.
Evacuations: Mandatory Evacuations to residence south of Highway 89 near the communities of South Lake Tahoe.
Volunteer evacuations to the north of Highway 89.
Injuries: 1
Cause: Under Investigation
Cooperating Agencies: All fire agencies within the Tahoe Basin, USFS, CAL FIRE, CHP, South Lake Tahoe Police Department, El Dorado County Sheriffs Office, Red Cross, Civil Air Patrol.
Total Fire Personnel: 1,889 (409 CAL FIRE)
Fire crews: 30 (13 CAL FIRE)
Engines: 171 (17 CAL FIRE)
Helicopters: 12
Dozers: 2
Water tenders: 14
Costs to date: $2.5 million
Major Incident Command Team: Unified Command.
Conditions: The fire is burning in heavy timber and rugged terrain.
A wind event is expected to develop over the next couple of days potentially bringing gusts to over 40 mph. A Red Flag Alert will be in effect for the next operational period due to the wind and extreme fuel moistures.
Phone Numbers (530) 543-2694 (Angora Fire Information)

InciWeb: Angora Wildland Fire

Posted: 26 Jun 2007 10:05 PM CDT

InciWeb: Angora Wildland Fire:

Angora Wildland Fire

















INCIDENT UPDATED 1800 HRS PST

Perimeter Map of Angora Fire overlayed on topographical map

Perimeter Map of Angora Fire
Credit: Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

view pictures || view maps

Summary

Angora Fire Evacuations

ð West Way

ð Gardner Street

ð 15th and Venice

ð Camp Richardson

Highway 89 is closed from the Highway 50 junction to Emerald Bay

Basic Information

Incident Type Wildland Fire
Cause Under Investigation
Date of Origin 06/24/2007 at 1410 hrs.
Location West of South Lake Tahoe
Incident Commander Rich Hawkins

Current Situation

Total Personnel 1,889
Size 3,100 acres
Percent Contained 44%
Estimated Containment Date 07/03/2007 at hrs.
Fuels Involved

Heavy timber with large dead and down component. Large amount of snags in the fire area.

Fire Behavior

Extreme fire behavior was observed today on 2 Divisions with rapid rates of spread. Long range spotting occured in Divisions E and D to the North/NorthEast portion of the fire. Some isolated spotting occurred in the Southern Divisions.

Significant Events

Mandatory Evacuations of residences south of Highway 89 near the communities of South Lake Tahoe. Volunteer evacuations to the north of Highway 89. Fire jumped control lines on Divisions E and D with some long range spotting into the communities of South Lake Tahoe. Crews continued to provide structure protection to the communities threatened.

Outlook

Planned Actions

Continued structure Protection for threatened communities. Continue line construction / patrol / mop up 200' on all other divisions.

Projected Movement

Projected incident movement/spread during next operational period:

12 hours: Growth is expected to the North and NorthEast on Divisions E and D

Growth Potential

High

Terrain Difficulty

High

Containment Target

It is likely that suppression strategies will succeed.

Remarks

The Angora Incident will remain in a Unified Command.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions 10-20 mph SW
Current Temperature 75 degrees
Current Humidity 20 %

Tahoe Fire Update 5:30pm 6/26

Posted: 26 Jun 2007 09:29 PM CDT

El Dorado County Sheriff's Office:

Tahoe Fire Update 5:30pm 6/26


Residents are allowed back in from North Upper Truckee at Hwy 50 up to Wintoon effective immediately. Those streets include:

Algonquin Ct Chilicothe St Cholula St Delaware St
Kickapoo St Mewok Dr Mushogee St Nez Perce Dr
Normuk St Oaxaco St Pima St Pooewin St
Quinanetzin St Shawnee St Sheboygan St Teton Ct
Toppewetah St Ulmeca St W. San Bernadino Winnebago St
Wintoon Dr Yucatan St

Forest service crew deploys fire shelters - Angora Fire

Posted: 26 Jun 2007 08:47 PM CDT

Forest service crew deploys fire shelters during operations today
Two members of a U.S. forest service engine crew chasing small spot fires got caught by numerous spot fires around them today, The wind driven embers created hundreds of small spots and they were forced to deploy their fire shelters in meadow, no injuries just a lot of paperwork.

Also in todays wind driven event which allowed the fire to crown on one big tree jump the line creating about a mile wide slopover. Even with a mile of line lost on that division total containment was increased to 44% today from %40.

Big wind events to come for next few days into the week-end this fire could burn all the way down to the lake.

THE PERFECT STORM? IS THIS THE BIG ONE?

Posted: 26 Jun 2007 08:32 PM CDT

Cal Fire news editors editorial thoughts:
  • BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD SPACE?.
  • BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL?.
  • WEATHER FORECAST DOES NOT BODE WELL FOR FIRE FIGHTING EFFORTS IN SOUTH LAKE TAHOE INCREASING RED FLAGS AND WATCHS MOST LIKELY NEXT FEW DAYS POSSIBLY CONTINUING TILL WEEKEND.
I was very impressed after watching the last Angora Fire press conference.
The fire Commander Rich Hawkins, IC appeared to be a leader of men and I think we have a great General on the Fireline but he has a difficult weather situation coming up and this thing could go all the way to the lake.
They won some mighty hard fought battles today with that mile wide crowning slop over, If he saves Camp Richardson and the Tahoe keys and lets the Lake stop it he wins the war!

Tahoe Blaze Jumps Fireline - But do not pick up the Pine needles!

Posted: 26 Jun 2007 06:54 PM CDT

Editors editorial note: Read this unbelievable paragraph in an KCRA news article does this incredibly insane law in Tahoe not fly in the face of the new CAL FIRE defensible space regulations?
Are we beginning to learn the reasons behind this tragedy already?
50 years of forest mismanagement?

"Of about a dozen homes on his street, Neal Cohn's was one of just two that was spared from the flames. He attributed its survival to the fact that he regularly removed fallen pine needles from his property, a practice that is banned and subject to fines by the regional planning agency, which says their removal exposes bare soil and causes erosion, a prime culprit in Lake Tahoe's declining clarity.

'You can see the fire line behind my house where the pine needles stopped,' he said, 'and the neighbors didn't do it.'"

This is the insanity behind this evolving tragedy it will probably take a Dozer line eight blades wide through those pine neeedles to stop this fire now!...Editor

FULL EVACUATIONS - ANGORA FIRE

Posted: 26 Jun 2007 06:02 PM CDT

CA-TMU-Angora

FIRESTORM

ANGORA FIRE - NEW EVACUATION ORDERS

Posted: 26 Jun 2007 05:16 PM CDT

NEW EVACUATION ORDERS IN PLACE

  • FIRE HAS JUMPED FIRELINE -The Angora Fire has just jumped containment lines and is now threatening
    numerous structures.

  • MORE UPDATES SHORTLY
Angora Fire Information Hotline
621-5866 or 573-7966


Webcam : http://www.kcra.com/wxcam/1471811/detail.html
Webcam:http://www.virtualtahoe.com/framesets/sierra-at-tahoe_cam_set.html
--

DISASTER RELIEF & ASSISTANCE: Assistance is available for residents affected by the Angora Fire from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday for the next two weeks at the Lake Tahoe Community College, 1 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe CA.

EL DORADO SHERIFF WEBSITE

InciWeb: Goldledge Wildland Fire

Posted: 26 Jun 2007 05:10 PM CDT

InciWeb: Goldledge Wildland Fire: "Goldledge Wildland Fire

Goldledge Wildland Fire

INCIDENT UPDATED 0800

Summary

Portions of the eastern perimeter of the fire remain unlined due to unsafe terrain which limits access by ground based firefighters.The fire is holding in steep, rocky terrain, however smoke may be seen for several weeks. For the next several days, the public is encouraged to find alternate forest areas for camping/recreation activities and not travel along the Cherry Hill Road. Campgrounds off Mtn 99 along the Kern River and the Sherman Pass Road remain open to forest visitors. Other available campgrounds on the Kern Plateau include Troy Meadow, Fish Creek, and Kennedy Meadows.

Basic Information

Incident Type Wildland Fire
Cause Shooting
Date of Origin 06/03/2007 at 1130 hrs.
Location 10 miles north of Kernville
Incident Commander Scott Williams

Current Situation

Total Personnel 62
Size 4,196 acres
Percent Contained 85%
Fuels Involved

Annual grass, low shrubs,chaparral and chamise at lower elevations. Fire burning into Jeffrey and lodgepole pine, mixed conifer forest.

Fire Behavior

Smokes and hot spots detected by IR have been reduced significantly. Unlined area with natural barriers held despite wind gusts to 41 MPH.

Significant Events

Fire Use module and Division Supervisors to be released today. ICT3 will transition.

Outlook

Planned Actions

Continue water drops guided by IR ship in unlined area of Goldledge canyon.

Projected Movement

12 hours: Minimal

Growth Potential

Medium

Terrain Difficulty

Extreme

Remarks

Portions of the eastern flank remain unlined due to unsafe terrain which limits access by ground based firefighters. Fire is holding in steep rocky terrain, however smoke may be seen for several weeks. Smokes and hotspots near the unlined section have been greatly reduced over the past few days.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions 4-13 mph NE
Current Temperature 69 degrees
Current Humidity 19 %

ANGORA FIRE - NEW EVACUATION ORDERS

Posted: 26 Jun 2007 05:07 PM CDT

  • NEW EVACUATION ORDERS IN PLACE
  • FIRE HAS JUMPED FIRELINE
  • MORE UPDATES SHORTLY
Angora Fire Information Hotline
621-5866 or 573-7966

DISASTER RELIEF & ASSISTANCE: Assistance is available for residents affected by the Angora Fire from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday for the next two weeks at the Lake Tahoe Community College, 1 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe CA.

EL DORADO SHERIFF WEBSITE

Fire News: Boys playing with fireworks started Cottonwood fire

Posted: 26 Jun 2007 04:34 PM CDT

LINK TO ORIGINAL ARTICLE UPDATED:

Boys playing with fireworks started Cottonwood fire

COTTONWOOD — Two young boys playing with fireworks sparked a grass fire Monday that came dangerously close to burning a home, as well as threatening several other homes and a teen center.

The estimated two- to three-acre fire, which started around 12:15 p.m. behind Holiday Quality Foods on Gas Point Road in Cottonwood, was fanned by sporadic and gusty winds.

It quickly spread perilously close to nearby homes before it was contained at around 12:39 p.m., a California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokeswoman said.

''The fire moved really fast,'' said 38-year-old Todd Van Dixon, who lives behind the Holiday Quality Foods shopping center.

Van Dixon, as well as other neighbors, grabbed shovels when they saw the smoke and fire and hurriedly built a fire line to try to protect their homes from the oncoming flames until firefighters arrived.

Capt. Calvin Ciapponi of the Cottonwood Fire Protection District said the fire burned right up to one home before firefighters were able to quench it.

''It (the fire) got pretty dangerous,'' he said. ''It was pretty hot.''

Law enforcement and fire officials interviewed the boys — 12 and 10-year-old brothers — and their aunt had been called to the scene.

The 12-year-old said that he and his brother, both students at West Cottonwood School, were playing with fireworks and didn't mean to start the fire.

He promised he and his brother wouldn't ever do it again.

It was not known whether the boys were held or cited for starting the fire.

In addition to Cottonwood Fire Protection District volunteers, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Anderson and West Valley firefighters helped to battle the fire.

No one was injured.

CA-TMU-Angora - UPDATES from morning 209

Posted: 26 Jun 2007 03:31 PM CDT

From North Ops 209 0630 :

Angora Incident,
  • 2730 acres with 40% percent containment.
  • 275 structures reported damaged / destroyed.
  • The Angora Fire is now reported at 2,730 acres ( Acreage increase was due to better mapping after GPS flight.)
  • Currently 1,889 firefighters are on scene.

A backfire on the northeast side conducted last night is still sending up a lot of smoke. Good progress has been made and Rich Hawkins type 1 IMT team has taken over command of the incident.
The control problems continue to be large snags, steep rugged terrain with rocks. Downed powerlines in the area along w/ potential of hazardous enviroments while mopping up lost structures.

Hwy 50 and 89 are both open with local road closures in the affected area's.

The ICP is located at Heavenly Ski Park and is in Unified Command with USFS, South Lake Tahoe City and Lake Valley Fire District. Hwy 50 and 89 are both opened again without restrictions.

ANGORA FIRE - Information

Posted: 26 Jun 2007 03:17 PM CDT

El Dorado County:

ALL COUNTY OFFICES IN SOUTH LAKE TAHOE ARE CLOSED TODAY, JUNE 26, 2007 DUE TO THE FIRE SITUATION.

No comments:

CNN.com

News: Breaking News -- MercuryNews.com

AP Top U.S. News At 8:45 p.m.