Wednesday, November 21, 2007

California Fire News

California Fire News

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Inciweb: Jack Wildland Fire - 330 acres - 15%

Posted: 20 Nov 2007 11:00 AM CST

Jack Wildland Fire

INCIDENT UPDATED
Jack Fire behavior 11.14.07

South aspect, north of the community of Wawona
Credit: NPS

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Summary

The Jack Fire started on Oct. 29 from lightning associated with thunderstorms moving over the Park. Jack is located on the north and south sides of Turner Ridge north of Wawona. It was originally placed under wildland fire use management for resource benefits and public safety. On Nov. 8, the fire spread outside the fire use management zone causing a change in strategy. At this point, management actions were taken to slow fire spread south toward Wawona. Crews are constructing control line in areas that will inhibit future fire spread if necessary. At a public meeting held in Wawona Monday fire managers explained to community members that the prevailing conditions, shorter daylight hours, cooler nights and elevated moisture levels in the vegetation, are conducive to managing the fire until the weather puts it out. The fires this year in Lake Tahoe and Southern California are a reminder that is important to use fire as an ecological restoration tool as well as to create defensible space around fire prone communities.

Basic Information

Incident Type Wildland Fire
Cause Lightning
Date of Origin 10/29/2007 at 1500 hrs.
Location 1.5 miles north of Wawona
Incident Commander Jeff Hinson

Current Situation

Total Personnel 15
Size 330 acres
Percent Contained 15%
Estimated Containment Date 11/20/2007 at hrs.
Fuels Involved

South half of the fire is in oak woodland, manzanita, and bear clover. This is the portion of the fire nearest Wawona. The North half of the fire is heavy ponderosa pine and mixed conifer.

Fire Behavior

Some activity along north and south edge. The smoke production that is visible are fuels burning inside the perimeter. Fire behavior remains low.

Significant Events

Line constructed along northeast edge. Existing fire line improved south of fire. Helicopters dropped water on southeast edge hot spots. Mop-up began today along cold perimeter lines. The fire lines are holding.

Outlook

Planned Actions

Construct line on southwest edge. Improve existing line on the soutt, and continue mop-up operations.

Projected Movement

Fire activity should increase as Sunday's moisture dissipates. A dry cold front is moving south across the district bringing an increase in humidities and wind over the higher terrain. TEmperatures will be slow to rebound behind the cold front.

Growth Potential

Medium

Terrain Difficulty

High

Containment Target

November 30, 2007 is the expected containment date.

Remarks

Visible smoke was diminshed on the south side od the fire throughout the week. Fire line construction has been holding the fire in the southern section also. The helicopter has been utilized throughout the incident to continue to cool any part of the fire lines. Fire information and education outreach has continued within the community of Wawona, Wawona Hotel, visitors and other interested parties. Fire managers have noted the increased attention by homeowners to increasing there defensible space around their property. Thank-you. There are no new photos of note today. The fire growth has been to the northern flanks below Turner Ridge.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions 2 mph NW
Current Temperature 35 degrees
Current Humidity 60 %

TCU - Tuolumne-Calaveras strike teams formed up to head south

Posted: 20 Nov 2007 10:56 AM CST

CAL FIRE Strike teams headed For Southern California, Numerous Cal Fire resources headed south

San Andreas, CA -- The Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit (TCU), according to Emergency Command Center Battalion Chief Mike Olivarria is sending, Three Charlie strike teams of engines (15 engines), Five Golf strike teams of hand crews (10 crews), Two Lima strike teams of dozer's (1 team confirmed formed up via scanner) to augment resources from all over the state prepositioning in the southern areas of the state in anticipation of forecasted Santa Ana wind event and the associated dangerous fire conditions.

The teams are currently making last minute checks with North Ops before heading out.

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