California Fire News

EDIS fire weather watch in effect from thursday afternoon through thursday evening for strong winds and low humidities

Posted: 14 Aug 2007 03:30 PM CDT

EDIS - Fire weather watch in effect from thursday afternoon through thursday evening for strong winds and low humidities... ...THE FIRE WEATHER WATCH FOR THIS SAME AREA ON WEDNESDAY HAS BEEN CANCELLED. SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO BECOME BREEZY ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON... BUT THIS WOULD NOT REACH RED FLAG WARNING CRITERIA

MODOC, SISKIYOU, KLAMATH, FREMONT, AND WINEMA NATIONAL FORESTS

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEDFORD HAS ISSUED A FIRE WEATHER WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 281...284 AND 285 IN CALIFORNIA AND ZONE 624 IN OREGON. THIS INCLUDES THE MODOC... SHASTA...KLAMATH... FREMONT...AND WINEMA NATIONAL FORESTS. THE FIRE WEATHER WATCH FOR THIS SAME AREA ON WEDNESDAY HAS BEEN CANCELLED. SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO BECOME BREEZY ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON... BUT THIS WOULD NOT REACH RED FLAG WARNING CRITERIA. SPEEDS OF 10 TO 20 MPH AND GUSTS TO 25 MPH ARE EXPECTED. SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL BE STRONGER THURSDAY AFTERNOON AT 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 35 MPH. THE AIR MASS WILL REMAIN VERY DRY THROUGH THURSDAY WITH MINIMUM AFTERNOON HUMIDITIES BETWEEN 5 AND 15 PERCENT.
Instruction:
A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE.
LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE RED FLAG WARNINGS. A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE RED FLAG WARNINGS.

Area: CENTRAL SISKIYOU COUNTY INCLUDING SHASTA VALLEY-SISKIYOU COUNTY FROM THE CASCADE MOUNTAINS EAST AND SOUTH TO MTSHASTA-MODOC COUNTY EXCEPT FOR THE SURPRISE VALLEY-KLAMATH BASIN AND THE FREMONT-WINEMA NATIONAL FOREST-

Affected Counties or parts of: Modoc, Siskiyou,

Sent: 2007-08-14T12:11:30-07:00

Original Sender: KMFR@nwws.oes.ca.gov

From: NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR

CA-SKU-Bear Fire - 700 acres at 50% contained

Posted: 14 Aug 2007 02:44 PM CDT

CA-SKU-Bear Fire
Location: 20 miles south of McCloud
Initial Sizeup: 8 acres and crowning in Bug kill timber.
Resources: 1AA, 4AT 1 additional Heavy on order, 4 T2S helicopters, 1T2L coming from ELk Complex. LMU Engines 2263, 2265, 2266, 2269, 2260 immediate need to SKU-Bear.

Update: Morning 209 shows 700 acres at 50% contained with 100% containment expected tomorrow

Local News - Dome Fire - Stanislaus National Forest

Posted: 14 Aug 2007 02:48 PM CDT

Local News - Dome Fire:

Dome Fire 75 acres 90 Percent Contained

Monday, August 13, 2007 - 04:45 PM
Bill Johnson MML News Director Sonora, CA

According to Spokesman Pat Kaunert of the Stanislaus National Forest, the 75 acre Dome Fire is now close to full containment. Enough progress has been made that resources have been reduced to three engines and two hand crews totaling 65 firefighters. At the outset of the fire Friday there were over 700 firefighters on hand. Kaunert adds that residual smoke will be visible during the early morning and evening hours over the the next couple of days as the fire burns itself out in the contained area. Full containment is expected by 6pm Tuesday.

CA-FKU- Tar Fire - 5,600 acres 75 % percent contained

Posted: 14 Aug 2007 01:24 PM CDT

TAR Fire;The fire has burned 5,600 acres and is 75 % percent contained. Firefighters were successful in holding the line on the Black Mountain Ridge at Castle Mountain. A Senior Geologists from the California Geological Survey conducted a field survey of the designated Natural Ocurring Asbestos Area and collected rock and soil samples and confirmed that the area contains Asbestos bearing rock. Therefore, until the samples are tested and results known, firefighters will continue to use precautionary health measures when traveling through the Asbestos areas and firefighting aircraft and infrared will be used for fire control to limit personnel contact. During Firefighting operations a CAL FIRE Bulldozer rolled 30 feet down the hill, the operator was uninjured and efforts are being made to right the dozer.

Inciweb: ZACA wildland Fire - 101,472 acres - 44%

Posted: 14 Aug 2007 01:07 PM CDT

Zaca Wildland Fire

INCIDENT UPDATED 11:00 hrs.

Zaca Fire Perimeter Map - 08/14/07
Credit: Zaca Fire GIS/FIO Unit

view pictures || view maps

Summary

Tuesday, August 14, 2007 8:00 AM

Red Flag Notification Has Been Issued

See Announcements

Fire Status

Acres Burned: 101,472 acres

Fireline to Build: 24 miles

Date Started: July 4, 2007 at 10:53 am

Percent Contained: 44 percent

Expected Containment: September 7, 2007

Injuries: 25

Structures Threatened: 595

Structures Destroyed: 1 outbuilding

Resources

Crews: 74

Engines: 95

Helicopters: 21

Air Tankers: 8

Air Attack: 2

Dozers: 41

Water Tenders: 69

Total Personnel Assigned: 2,783

Cost to Date: $69.2 million

Current Situation

The significant smoke that was visible yesterday was caused by dense brush within the interior of the fire burning well inside the containment line to the west of Little Pine Mountain. An additional island may burn today as pockets of unburned fuel remain in the same area. These areas are being monitored and any necessary action will be taken should they pose a threat. Crews continued to make progress on the containment line in the Indian Creek drainage and continuing north along the eastern flank of the fire. Favorable wind conditions have enabled firefighters to build firelines with direct attack tactics as the fire progresses to the North and Northeast. Crews will continue these operations as long as they remain effective and safe. To date, over 120 miles of containment line have been completed by firefighters. Tanker 910, the converted DC-10, made two additional drops on the fire yesterday in support of the line construction process. Santa Barbara County announced a "Red Flag Alert" yesterday as a reminder to local residents to be fire safe. Additionally, residents are being asked to report any suspicious observations or concerns to 9-1-1.

Last night, firefighters continued a backfire operation along the Sierra Madre Ridge from Sweetwater east towards Santa Barbara Canyon. The glow of the fire could be seen from Cuyama Valley. The active burning is still within the lines established to control this fire. Today, the fire will continue to be active in Logan, Alamar and Santa Barbara Canyon areas. Firefighters will continue to backfire along the indirect fire line established on Sierra Madre Ridge from Sweetwater Canyon towards Highway 33. The backfire operation is still 10 miles from Hwy 33. The active fire, burning in the interior, will continue to produce significant smoke and ash. The smoke and ash are not the result of the backfire operation.

The Camino Cielo Fuel Break contingency line has been finished. Other contingency lines in the areas of Paradise, Camuesa Road, the Sierra Madre Ridge, Pendola Road, and the Matilija Wilderness are nearing completion. When completed, these lines will reduce the need for firing operations and will provide firefighters with other suppression options that may be needed in the event that changing conditions warrant such action.

Forest, Road and Area Closures

Happy Canyon Road is closed at Los Padres National Forest boundary.
Figueroa Mountain Road is closed at the Los Padres National Forest boundary.
East Camino Cielo is closed between Painted Cave Road and Gibraltar Road due to fire equipment traffic.
Paradise Road is within the Evacuation Warning Area and is currently open to residents only.
The Los Padres National Forest expanded closure is in effect. It encompasses approximately 649,000 acres and is between Hwy 166 in northern Santa Barbara County and Highway 33 and Matilija Canyon in Ventura County. Detailed information on the closure can be found at www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres or http://www.inciweb.org/ or your local Forest Service Office.

Evacuations

The EVACUATION ORDER for Paradise Road residents, Los Prietos Boys Camp, and the Rancho Oso Guest Ranch has been downgraded to an EVACUATION WARNING.
The Santa Ynez River Road campgrounds, day use areas and trailheads remain closed.

{Spanish translation removed}

Basic Information

Incident Type	Wildland Fire
Cause	Human Caused
Date of Origin	07/04/2007 at 1053 hrs.
Location	15 miles NE of Buellton
Incident Commander	Molumby/ Schmit/ Dietrich

Current Situation

Total Personnel	2,783
Size	101,472 acres
Percent Contained	44%
Estimated Containment Date	09/07/2007 at hrs.
Fuels Involved	Heavy brush contains a high dead component. Some conifers at higher elevations. Live fuel moistures (49%)are well below critical levels. A continuous fuel bed lies ahead of the fire's dominant spread direction.
Fire Behavior	South side of fire: Active fire was observed overnight as the fire backed downslope into the Upper Alamar Canyon. North side of fire: Active fire behavior with 70 foot flame lengths. The fire will run when aligned with slope(s).
Significant Events	South side of the fire: Paradise Road is now under an evacuation warning, and open to residents only. The Santa Ynez River Recreation Area remains under an evacuation order, and is closed to everyone. North side of the fire: The fire has burned through Judell Canyon and Logan Canyon. A burnout operation was initiated north of Judell Canyon and Logan Canyon with burnout depth ranging from 500 feet to one quarter mile. Continue coordination efforts along Highway 33 with Ventura Co. Sheriffs Office, Santa Barbara Co. Sheriffs Office, Ventura Division of California Highway Patrol, Santa Barbara Division of California Highway Patrol, Ventura Division of California Dept. of Transportation and Santa Barbara Division of California Dept. of Transportation.

Outlook

Planned Actions	South side of fire: Patrol, mop-up, and improve existing control lines. Build direct line on the S/E corner tying into the Don Victor Jeepway. Prepare for burnout and holding operations. Structure preparation and fuel reduction will continue in the Paradise and Camino Cielo Branch. Perform recon, planning and contingency line construction on the far south east side of the fire. Scout for future firing operations. North side of the fire: Continue burnout operation north of Judell Canyon and Logan Canyon, bringing fire east to the north eastern side of the fire. Monitor fire spread decision points to guide burnout actions.
Projected Movement	Because of Red Flag Warning conditions, the fire is expected to accelerate spreading to the north and east.
Growth Potential	Extreme.
Terrain Difficulty	Extreme.
Containment Target	Selected strategy has been successful in keeping the fire moving to the north. The predicted weather has increased fire activity and will challenge firefighting efforts over the next 2-3 days. There is a moderate possibility that the containment target will be met, based on the ability to anchor and hold the fire on Sierra Madre Ridge.
Remarks	This incident status summary reflects the percentage of containment line completed and containment line to build, for the planned strategy of direct and indirect control lines. Total personnel on the north side of the fire, total 875. Acres, line to build, cost, and structures threatened/lost are the combined total of both the north and the south side of the fire. The break down is as follows: Acres: South-83,894 acres North:17,578 acres. Line to build: South 14 miles, North 10 miles. Cost: South 64,400,000 North: 4,844,435 Structures threatened: South 515, North 80.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions	5 mph NE
Current Temperature	72 degrees
Current Humidity	29 %

Zaca Two Fire - OSCC report - 101,472 acres and is 44 % percent contained

Posted: 14 Aug 2007 02:15 PM CDT

Southern California Geographic Area Coordination Center
Zaca Two Fire

The fire has burned 101,472 acres and is 44 % percent contained. Active fire was observed overnight in Live Oak Zone as the fire backed downslope into the upper Alamar canyon. Active fire behavior with 70¿ FL Richardson Zone. Fire will run when aligned with slope. Live Oak Zone: A red flag warning has been issued for San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles Counties. The weather pattern of high temperatures, single digit relative humidity (RH) and poor RH nighttime recovery is expected to continue through Wednesday morning. Dry heavy brush and north winds may impact the direct attack on the Don Victor Jeepway. Richardson Zone: Extreme fire behavior and wind pattern has pushed fire to within a mile of dozer line. Richardson Zone: Extreme terrain driven fire behavior when wind aligns with drainages. The Paradise Road is now under an evacuation warning open to residents only. The Santa Ynez River Recreation Area remains under an evacuation order. Richardson Zone: Fire has burned through Judell Canyon and Logan Canyon. Initiated burnout operation north of Judell Canyon and Logan Canyon with burnout depth ranging from 500¿ to ¼ mile. Continue coordination efforts along Highway 33 with Local Law Enforcement cooperators. Lve Oak Zone: This incident status summary reflects the percentage of containment line completed and containment line to build, for the planned strategy of direct and indirect control lines. Richardson Zone: The two Type 1 or Type 2 IA crews listed in block 27 are needed to replace crews timing out. Total personnel on the Richardson Zone are 875. Combined - The Acres, line to build, cost, and structures threatened/lost are the combined total. The break down is as follows: Acres - Live Oak-83,894 Richardson-17,578. Line to build - Live Oak-14 miles, Richardson-10 miles. Structures threatened - Live Oak-515 Richardson-80

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Tuesday, August 14, 2007