Wildfire News, 7/12 - Sawtooth Complex and more

NICC, NIFC<WFAS ^ | 7/12/06 | Various

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Haines Index Map - Higher Haines means fire growth tends to be stronger:



Fuel Dryness:  Tells you how likely things are to burn if a fire gets started:







INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT
WEDNESDAY, JULY 12, 2006 – 0530 MDT
NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL 3


CURRENT SITUATION:

Initial attack activity was moderate nationally with 221 new fires reported.  Eight new large fires (*) were reported, four in the Eastern Great Basin Area and one each in the Southern California, Western Great Basin, Northern Rockies, and Southern Areas  Seven large fires were contained, two in Eastern Great Basin Area and one each in the Southern California, Western Great Basin, Northern Rockies, Rocky Mountain and Southern Areas.  Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Arizona, Alaska, California, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.

A Type 1 Incident Management Team (Opliger) is assigned to the 21,651 acre Wutlus Lake fire 60 kilometers west of Quesnel, British Columbia, Canada.  Smoldering was reported.  Favorable weather conditions are enhancing containment efforts.


SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

SAWTOOTH COMPLEX, San Bernardino Unit, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF). This complex, comprised of the Sawtooth, Waters, and Ridge fires, is near Pioneertown, CA, in chaparral. Numerous residences remain threatened.  Evacuations of several communities are in effect.  Weather and steep, inaccessible terrain are impeding containment efforts.  Extreme fire behavior with significant runs was reported.

ARCO, Kern County Fire Department.  This fire is five miles north of Lebec, CA in chaparral.  Steep terrain and difficult access are impeding containment efforts.  Numerous residences and utility infrastructure remain threatened.  No further information was received.

BECK, Bakersfield District Office, Bureau of Land Management. This fire is near California Valley City, CA in grass and brush. Several residences and resources are threatened.  Elkhorn Road is closed.  Weather and rapid rates of spread are hampering containment efforts.

MILLARD COMPLEX, San Bernardino National Forest. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Walker) is assigned.  This complex, comprised of four fires, is seven miles north of Cabazon, CA in chaparral and conifer.  Steep terrain is hampering containment.  Minimal fire behavior with creeping, smoldering, and rolling debris was observed.

MESQUITE, California Desert District, Bureau of Land Management.  This fire is 23 miles northeast of Baker, CA.  No new information was reported.


NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

CANYON, Santa Clara Unit, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF).  A CDF Type 1 Incident Command Team (Paul) is assigned.  This fire is 11 miles west of Patterson, CA in chaparral.  Del Puerto Canyon Road is closed to civilian traffic.  Difficult access, steep terrain, and weather continues to impede containment.  Very active fire behavior with significant runs, spotting, and torching was reported.

YOLLA BOLLY COMPLEX, Mendocino National Forest.  A Fire Use Management Team (Perkins) is assigned.  This lightning-caused Wildland Fire Use (WFU) incident is being managed to accomplish resource objectives.  This incident is 35 miles west of Red Bluff, CA in timber. Continued surface fire and torching were observed.


NORTHERN ROCKIES AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

SAUNDERS, Southern Land Office, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Heintz) is assigned.  This fire is four miles west of Columbus, MT in grass and timber.  Numerous residences and buildings remain threatened. Evacuations remain in effect. Brumfield and Countryman Creek Roads remain closed.  Adverse weather conditions are hampering containment efforts.  Torching, short runs and very active fire behavior were reported.


EASTERN GREAT BASIN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

LAKE RIDGE, Northwest Area Office Idaho Department of Lands.  This fire is eight miles east of Bear Lake, UT in grass, sage, and mountain brush.  Strong gusty winds are hampering containment efforts.  Creeping and smoldering were reported.

CANAL, South Central Idaho Area Office, Idaho Department of Lands.  This fire is five miles north of Wendell, ID in sagebrush and grass.  Moderate fire behavior with runs was reported.

CROOK, Boise District, Bureau of Land Management.  This fire is eight miles north of Mountain Home, ID in grass and brush.  Canyon Creek Road was temporarily closed.  Rapid rates of spread and runs were observed.

WESTERN GREAT BASIN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

STORM CLOUD, Carson City Field Office, Bureau of Land Management.  This fire is 35 miles northwest of Austin, NV in brush, grass, pinyon pine and juniper.  Active fire behavior and uphill runs in heavy fuels were observed.



NORTHWEST AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

SPUR PEAK, Okanogan/Wenatchee National Forest.  A Washington Type 2 Interagency Incident Management Team (Jennings) is assigned.  This fire is 13 miles northeast of Winthrop, WA in spruce and lodgepole pine.  Forest road and trail closures remain in effect.  A campground remains closed.  Steep terrain and heavy amounts of dead and down fuel continue to hamper containment efforts.

TIN PAN, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.  A Fire Use Management Team (Furlong) is assigned.  This lightning-caused Wildland Fire Use (WFU) incident is being managed to accomplish resource objectives.  This fire is seven miles west of Lucerne, WA in timber.  Group torching and short crown runs were observed



SOUTHERN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

LINDSEY BAY, National Forests of Florida.  This fire is five miles southeast of Wilma, FL in southern rough.  Structure protection is in place, and an evacuation plan for an adjacent community has been prepared.  Minimal fire behavior was observed.

NORTHFIELD, Texas Forest Service.  This fire is 13 miles northeast of Matador, TX in brush and grass.  Rough terrain and strong winds are hampering containment efforts.  Active fire behavior with flame lengths up to 20 feet were reported.

ALASKA AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

PARKS HWY, Fairbanks Area Forestry, Alaska Division of Forestry.  This fire is one mile southeast of Nenana, AK in black spruce, tundra and grass.  No new information was reported.  This will be the last report unless new information is received.
OUTLOOK:

Red Flag Warnings: Wednesday afternoon and evening for northeast Montana due to isolated to scattered thunderstorms with gusty and erratic winds. For south-central and southeast Montana, and northwest South Dakota, Big Horn National Forest for very low humidity, gusty winds and isolated thunderstorms.

Fire Weather Watches: Wednesday for northeast Wyoming and western and central South Dakota for high temperatures, low relative humidity, and dry lightning.  For parts of northern and west-central Nevada due to gusty afternoon winds and low relative humidity.  In western Nevada for strong gusty southwest to west winds and low relative humidity. Wednesday afternoon and evening for the eastern plains of central Montana for low humidity, gusty winds and isolated thunderstorms.

Weather Discussion:  A low pressure trough will move across the Northwest and into the Northern Rockies today with gusty winds extending from the Great Basin into the northern Plains.  Elsewhere in the West, thunderstorms will develop over the Four Corners states, Wyoming and Montana.

Full NICC Report:
http://www.nifc.gov/nicc/sitreprt.rtf

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Yesterday, when they put the daily report data together, the Sawtooth Complex by Pioneertown was about 6000 acres. When I went to bed, it was over 10,000 acres. When I got up this morning, it was estimated at 17,000 acres.

This was not the only place where fires grew and initial attack increased after the reports were filed, but it is by far the worst. And today's weather is not in favor of them catching the fire easily.

There will be a good bit of fire news today. I will try to cover it, and dig out what I can about the other fires burning as well.

If you want on the wildfire ping, let me know.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Red flad and fire weather watches are in orange.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Last night, from the Southern California GACC site:

Filed at 9 pm
Due to strong winds,containment was lost on the Sawmill Complex (CA-BDU-7229). An additional 5,000+ acres have been burned and the communities of Pioneertown and Gamma Gulch have been evacuated. A CDF Type 1 IMT (Henson) has been ordered to take over the fire on Wednesday.

Filed at 5:30:

The complex made significant run this afternoon. Winds 25-40 MPH have split the fire into four heads. Roads for evacuations are narrow and one-lane. Some are dirt roads. Access for responding resources is very limited.

sTRONG WINDS HAVE SPLIT THE FIRE INTO FOUR FRONTS. EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR IS CURRENTLY BEING EXPIRENCED. SPOTTING IS OCCURRING 1/2 TO 3/4 MILES IN FRONT OF THE MAIN FIRE FRONT. HEAVY SMOKE HAS OBSCURRED THE MAIN FIRE FROM RESOURCES RESPONDING.

EVACUATION OF SEVERAL COMMUNITIES IS CURRENTLY OCCURRING. RESIDENTS EVAUATED WERE SENT TO HIGHWAY 62 AND A EVACUATION CENTER HAS BEEN OPENED AT YUCCA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

FIRE IS LOCATED IN STEEP INACCESSABLE TERRAIN. ONCE THE WINDS STOP THE FIRE WILL TRANSITION INTO A TOPOGRAPHY DRIVEN INCIDENT. SIGNIFICANT RUNS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE.

http://gacc.nifc.gov/oscc/predictive/intelligence/index.htm

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Sawtooth Threat To Mountains According To Officials

Breaking News

By RIMOFTHEWORLD.net
Wednesday, July 12, 2006

"We're concerned now about the spread of the fire southwest into Morongo Valley, which could then send it more in a westerly direction then up into the Big Bear area toward the northwest," said Battalion Chief Doug Lannon to the Desert Sun Newspaper of Palm Springs Wednesday morning.

The winds have shifted overnight, driving the fire further to the south, according to eyewitnesses. This exposes more of the San Bernardino National Forest to the threat. With nearly no containment, fire personnel are highly dependant upon the weather conditions today and the ability of hand crews and aircraft to slow the forward rate of spread of the fire.

The Sawtooth Complex Fire has consumed over 17,000 acres and destroyed at least 33 homes, as of late Tuesday evening. At least one Pioneertown man is missing and search and rescue teams are poised to search Pioneertown, Burns Canyon and Rimrock areas for others that may have been caught behind the fire lines. At least 50 Burns Canyon residents were trapped Tuesday evening as the advancing flames blocked their only exit. Firefighters have sheltered the stranded residents and may use air support to help evacuate them Wednesday morning.

The unofficial estimated perimeter of the Sawtooth Complex Fire based upon observation and eyewitness reports. Not all areas within the perimeter have necessarily been affected. (Photo by RIMOFTHEWORLD.net.)

The 17,000 acre fire hs reached Old Woman Springs Road in Yucca Valley and was burning just to the west of homes in the Morongo Valley. Canyon communities in the eastern San Bernardino Mountain foothills have been evacuated and many are cut off from the outside world. Nine people have been injured, including seven firefighters.

Fire Size	Unofficially about 17,000 Acres
Containment	0%
Cause	Lightning
Damage	Unofficial reports of two structures lost
Casualties	9 injuries: 2 civilians, 7 firefighters
Evacuations	Flamingo Heights , Pioneertown, Gamma Gultch, Pipes Canyon, Rimrock, and Portions of Yucca Valley. Specific roads: Annie Oakley Road, Kimosabe Road, Lariat Trail, Paloma Avenue, Sage Road, Wagon Trail, and Yucca Valley Road.
Evacuees	Approximately 800 people
Ecacuation Shelter	Yucca Valley High School, 7600 Sage Ave, Yucca Valley

Engines backed out of difficult to access areas late Tuesday afternoon to prevent becoming trapped. Citizens in the Rimrock gathered in large open fields while air support evacuated them.

On Tuesday evening, firefighters evaluated vegetation and access conditions for the 40 to 50 homes in the Onyx Summit area in case the fire approaches that area. While the fire posed no immediate threat to the Big Bear area as of Tuesday evening, officials remain concerned about the size of the fire.

Fire burns behind homes and businesses behind along Highway 62 in Morongo Valley. (Photo by Scott Straley.)

Click Here For More Photos.

The fire, about 8 to 12 miles east of the Big Bear area, exploded Tuesday afternoon. A wind direction shift sent smoke in the Big Bear area causing local fire resources to scramble. The "Sawtooth Complex Fire" is expanded rapidly from under 1,000 acres in the morning to nearly 17,000 acres by late Tuesday evening. The column of smoke was visible from both the Apple Valley and the San Bernardino Valley. The fire rolled through the dry chapparel, grasses, joshua trees, and pine forests chewing up 50 acres at a time as massive spot fires were consumed by the fires advancing head. http://www.rimoftheworld.net/columns/rotw/vegetation?PHPSESSID=7b3ce5683b40a8dd2042f92a47866c61

[Knitting A Conundrum]

San Bernardino County Declares State Of Emergency
100 Buildings And Homes Destroyed

(AP) YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. A wildfire ripped across the Southern California desert Wednesday, forcing more than a thousand people to flee and destroying at least 30 homes and outbuildings, including several in the historic Western movie community of Pioneertown.

Late Tuesday, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors declared a state of emergency, requesting Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger approve disaster money.

Firefighters were concentrating resources along the southern front of the Sawtooth Complex, which burned toward Morongo Valley and Yucca Valley, both populated areas. Over 100 homes were evacuated from communities in Little Morongo Canyon and Burns Canyon Wednesday, adding to the 1,000 plus who had fled the flames Tuesday.

Firefighters reported zero containment Wednesday, with no estimate of when the fire might be controlled. Strong winds fanned the flames, worrying fire officials that more spot fires could break out.

"If we have more of the same with the high winds and high temperatures it could be trouble," said California Department of Forestry Capt. Marc DeRosier.

The blaze, which had burned over 17,000 acres by late Tuesday,consumed several structures in historic Pioneertown.

At least 30 homes and outbuildings were destroyed in Pioneertown and surrounding towns, but it was unclear whether any historic structures were destroyed.

"I was told that structures in Pioneertown, Pipes Canyon and Burns Canyon were particularly hit hard," DeRosier said.

In one incident Tuesday, a fire crew happened upon a home that had caught fire.

"It was a lot of luck," said Capt. John Flesher of the San Bernardino County Fire Department. "We saw the front was burning and got over on it."

CDF Capt. Debbie Chapman said about 200 homes were threatened. About 2,500 firefighters aided by 13 helicopters and eight air tankers were working the blaze, which prompted mandatory evacuations of Pioneertown, Rimrock, Gamma Gulch, Pipes Canyon, Flamingo Heights and Bowden Flats.

Seven firefighters and two civilians suffered minor injuries, including burns and smoke inhalation.

An evacuation center was set up at Yucca Valley High School, and horses and other livestock were taken to the town of Landers. Red Cross volunteers at the center said a few dozen people had checked in, though only a handful were seen sleeping there early Wednesday.

Evacuees included Linda Krantz, an employee at Pappy & Harriet's restaurant in Pioneertown, who just had time to grab computers and books before leaving.

"I can see the flames from here. The sky is so black. It's not good at all," said Krantz, who cried as she spoke by telephone. DeRosier said the restaurant was spared by the flames.

Fire investigators believe a lightning strike over the weekend sparked the fire, which was contained but flared up again Tuesday.

Two hours east of Los Angeles, Pioneertown was host to Roy Rogers, Russ "Lucky" Hayden and other Hollywood cowboys who helped establish the desert hideaway in 1946.

Gene Autry filmed "Last of the Pony Riders" and "Indian Territory" in Pioneertown. Hayden worked there on the "Judge Roy Bean" TV series and "Cisco Kid" producers shot several movies there.

By the 1960s, the town's novelty had worn off and it became something of a hodgepodge residential community, although filmmakers began returning a few years ago.

Other wildfires burning in Southern California Wednesday included:

--2,200 acres in Joshua Tree National Park. It was fully contained.

--689 acres north of Lebec in Kern County. It was fully contained.

--400 acres north of Baker, near the California-Nevada line. The fire was 5 percent contained.

--125 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest north of Cabazon. It was 10 percent contained

--Three small, lightning-sparked fires burning in the remote San Gorgonio Wilderness in the San Bernardino National Forest altogether burned 800 acres.

http://cbs13.com/national/local_story_193103330.html

[Knitting A Conundrum]

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (AP) - Dozens of people got an unpleasant early wake-up call this morning.

It was firefighters telling them to get out of their southern California homes, because of nearby wildfires.

They're joining the hundreds who got out a day earlier, as the fires take their toll in an area about 120 miles east of Los Angeles. Historic Pioneertown, where Roy Rogers and others filmed old Western movies, already lost at least 30 homes.

Winds blowing to 40 miles an hour only fanned the flames, which have covered more than 17,000 acres. Authorities believe a weekend lightning strike started the whole thing, and it slowly heated up. They admit they don't know when they might bring it under control.

Meanwhile, another California wildfire, this one southeast of San Francisco, is about 40 percent contained. And in neighboring Nevada, officials say two fires near Death Valley are fully contained.


http://www.9news.com/acm_news.aspx?OSGNAME=KUSA&IKOBJECTID=63285e2a-0abe-421a-01f2-93e6ba1cd67c&TEMPLATEID=4525fe63-ac1f-02d8-002a-f131478a1f55

[Knitting A Conundrum]

(CBS/AP) Firefighters evacuated dozens more people from their homes early Wednesday as a wildfire raced across the desert and consumed several structures in a desert locale where dozens of Hollywood Westerns were filmed.

The fire, touched off by weekend lightning strikes, is completely uncontained, and it may be a number of days before they get it under control, reports Kim Mariner of CBS Radio station KNX.

Winds exceeding 40 mph fanned the flames, and officials said they didn't expect the strong wind and dry conditions to change anytime soon. The fire had burned more than 17,000 acres.

Dozens were evacuated from communities in Little Morongo Canyon and Burns Canyon. Up to 1,000 fled the flames Tuesday, authorities said.

"The fire moved quickly and the evacuation orders came quickly: Grab it and go, destination unknown," reports Greg Mills of KCBS-TV.

The blaze burned through historic Pioneertown, destroying at least 30 homes and buildings there and in surrounding towns. It was unclear whether any historic structures were destroyed, said California Department of Forestry Capt. Marc DeRosier.

One home that was destroyed was that of Marcy Rose.

"In the 17 years I've been here this is the first fire we've had, the first dangerous fire we've had where any houses have been really threatened," she said.

"We're going down the road and I'm racing the flames that are heading towards the road and I get through the flames and all of a sudden I'm in total smoke and flame and I don't know what to do. And I think well, this is it right here," said Diamond Braverman, another Pioneertown resident.

Other evacuees included Linda Krantz, an employee at Pappy & Harriet's restaurant in Pioneertown, who just had time to grab computers and books before leaving.

"I can see the flames from here. The sky is so black. It's not good at all," said Krantz, who cried as she spoke by telephone.

Pioneertown, about two hours or 120 miles east of Los Angeles, was host to Roy Rogers, Russ "Lucky" Hayden and other Hollywood cowboys who helped establish the desert hideaway in 1946. Movie crews nailed together a saloon, hauled up a railroad car and sank posts around the "OK Corral."

Gene Autry filmed "Last of the Pony Riders" and "Indian Territory" in Pioneertown. Hayden, of Hopalong Cassidy fame, used it for his "Judge Roy Bean" TV series, and "Cisco Kid" producers shot several movies and the TV series there.

By the 1960s, the town had become more of a residential community, although filmmakers began returning a few years ago. Car companies have filmed commercials in Pioneertown in recent years. Music videos have also been made there.

Fire investigators believe a lightning strike over the weekend sparked the fire, which slowly heated up before it "reared its ugly head" Tuesday afternoon, Lannen said. Earlier, they thought the fire was part of several lighting-sparked blazes that began Sunday that had been temporarily contained.

CDF Capt. Debbie Chapman said about 200 homes were threatened. About 2,500 firefighters aided by 13 helicopters and eight air tankers were working the blaze. Seven firefighters and two civilians suffered minor injuries, including burns and smoke inhalation.

Elsewhere in the West, Montana firefighters were trying to control a blaze about 40 miles west of Billings that had destroyed at least four structures, including two homes, officials said.

Authorities urged residents in about 120 homes to leave because of the 3,000-acre fire. Five structures were destroyed, officials said. No injuries were reported.

In Nevada, officials said they had gained the upper hand on two lightning-sparked wildfires burning toward the small town of Beatty, near Death Valley National Park.

The blazes were fully contained by Tuesday night. No injuries were reported and no structures had been threatened.

In western Stanislaus County, Calif., a fire that burned about 5 square miles of rugged terrain was about 40 percent contained Tuesday.

No evacuations were ordered as about 1,000 firefighters fought the blaze, which started Sunday about 85 miles southeast of San Francisco. The fire destroyed three structures believed to be hunting cabins.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/12/national/main1794976.shtml

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Wednesday, July 12, 2006 – 10:00 am EDT

PREPAREDNESS LEVEL	3
STATES MOST AFFECTED: NV, ca, MT, ID,TX
Print Today's Morning Report (PDF file)

CURRENT SITUATION

Initial attack activity was moderate nationally with 221 new fires reported.  Nineteen fires (greater than 500 acres) are currently being managed.  Seven new large fires were reported, three in the Eastern Great Basin Area, and one each in the Southern California, Western Great Basin, Northern Rockies, and Southern Areas.  Four large fires were contained, one each in the Southern California, Northern Rockies, Western Great Basin, and Southern Areas.  Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Arizona, Alaska, California, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.

A Type 1 Incident Management Team has been assigned to British Columbia, Canada, to support fire suppressions efforts.

 

INCIDENT HEADLINES

• Large fire activity (greater than 500 acres) is occurring in eight geographic areas.

 

SUMMARY OF FIRE ACTIVITY ACROSS THE UNITED STATES

Fire Activity	Yesterday	Year-to-Date	2000 Fire Season	10 Year Average
Number of Fires	221	62,727	52,649	44,795
Acres Burned	11,198	4,030,984	2,287,041	2,170,297

 

RESOURCES COMMITTED

Crews (20 persons)	Engines (5 persons)	Helicopters (7 persons)	Air Tankers (2 persons)	Overhead	Total Personnel
187	349	85	15	830	6,940

 

MAPS OF CURRENT FIRE ACTIVITY

• National Interagency Fire Center Fire Danger (www.fs.fed.us/land/wfas/fd_cls_f.gif)
• National Incident Information Center Large Fires (www.fs.fed.us/news/fire/firemap.shtml)
• National Interagency Coordination Center Monthly Fire Outlook (www.nifc.gov/news/OutlookMap.pdf)

 

REGIONAL LARGE FIRES (500 ACRES OR LARGER)

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA    (website: gacc.nifc.gov/oscc/)

Incident Name	State	Lead Agency	Size (acres)	Percent Contained	Estimate of Containment	Personnel	Structures Lost
Sawtooth Complex	CA	ST	6,000	0	7/18	743	6
Pushwalla Complex	CA	NPS	2,200	100	---	21	0
Arco	CA	KRN	689	90	UNK	363	0
Beck	CA	ST	1,200	80	7/12	140	0

Sawtooth Complex is comprised of the Sawtooth, Waters, and Ridge fires. It is located near Pioneertown, CA and is burning in chaparral. Numerous residences remain threatened. Evacuations of several communities are in effect. Weather and steep, inaccessible terrain are impeding containment. Extreme fire behavior with significant runs was reported.

Pushwalla Complex is in Joshua Tree National Park. The complex is comprised of the Pushwalla and Berdoo fires.  Minimal activity was reported.

Arco is located five miles north of Lebec, CA burning in chaparral. Steep terrain and difficult access are impeding containment efforts. Numerous residences and utility infrastructure remain threatened.

Beck is near California Valley City, CA and is burning in grass and brush. Several residences and resources are threatened. Elkhorn Road is closed. Weather and rapid rates of spread are hampering containment efforts.

 

 

WESTERN GREAT BASIN AREA    (website: http://gacc.nifc.gov/wgbc/)

Incident Name	State	Lead Agency	Size (acres)	Percent Contained	Estimate of Containment	Personnel	Structures Lost
Storm Cloud	NV	BLM	1,000	0	NR	121	0
Beatty Complex	NV	BLM	24,409	100	---	378	0

Storm Cloud is 35 miles northwest of Austin, NV burning in brush, grass, pinyon pine and juniper. Active fire behavior and uphill runs in heavy fuels were observed.

Beatty Complex is five miles east of Beatty, NV burning in brush and grass. A Type 2 Incident Command Team has been assigned.  This Complex is comprised of the Beatty and Sawtooth fires.

 

 

NORTHERN ROCKIES AREA    (website: gacc.nifc.gov/nrcc)

Incident Name	State	Lead Agency	Size (acres)	Percent Contained	Estimate of Containment	Personnel	Structures Lost
Saunders	MT	ST	3,100	20	NR	176	2
Frozen Dog	MT	BLM	500	100	---	0	0

Saunders is four miles west of Columbus, MT burning in grass and timber. A Type 2 Incident Command Team has been assigned.  Numerous residences and buildings are threatened, and evacuations remain in effect. Brumfield and Countryman Creek Roads remain closed. Torching, short runs, and very active fire behavior were reported. Adverse weather conditions are hampering containment efforts.

 

 

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA    (website: gacc.nifc.gov/oncc)

Incident Name	State	Lead Agency	Size (acres)	Percent Contained	Estimate of Containment	Personnel	Structures Lost
Canyon	CA	ST	9,370	45	UNK	1,370	8
Yolla Bolly Complex-WFU	CA	FS	1,160	N/A	N/A	103	0

Canyon is eleven miles west of Patterson, CA burning in chaparral. A Type 1 Incident Command Team has been assigned.  Del Puerto Canyon Road is closed to civilian traffic.  Difficult access, steep terrain, and weather continue to impede containment.  Very active fire behavior with significant runs, spotting, and torching was reported.

Yolla Bolly Complex – WFU is 35 miles west of Red Bluff, CA burning in timber.  A Fire Use Management Team is assigned. This lightning-caused Wildland Fire Use (WFU) incident is being managed to accomplish resource objectives.  Continued surface fire and torching were observed.

 

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN AREA   (website: http://gacc.nifc.gov/rmcc/)

Incident Name	State	Lead Agency	Size (acres)	Percent Contained	Estimate of Containment	Personnel	Structures Lost
Little Venus -WFU	WY	FS	715	N/A	N/A	14	0

 

 

EASTERN GREAT BASIN    (website: www.blm.gov/utah/egbcc )

Incident Name	State	Lead Agency	Size (acres)	Percent Contained	Estimate of Containment	Personnel	Structures Lost
Lake Ridge	UT	ST	2,000	70	7/12	33	0
Canal	ID	ST	1,000	50	7/12	57	0
Crook	ID	BLM	675	40	UNK	74	0

Lake Ridge is eight miles east of Bear Lake, UT and is burning in grass, sage, and mountain brush. Strong gusty winds are hampering containment efforts. Creeping and smoldering were reported.

Canal is five miles north of Wendell, ID burning in sagebrush and grass. Moderate fire behavior with runs was reported.

Crook is eight miles north of Mountain Home, ID in grass and brush. Canyon Creek Road was temporarily closed. Rapid rates of spread and runs were observed.

 

 

SOUTHERN AREA    (website: http://gacc.nifc.gov/sacc/ )

Incident Name	State	Lead Agency	Size (acres)	Percent Contained	Estimate of Containment	Personnel	Structures Lost
Lindsey Bay	FL	FS	1,073	75	7/12	26	0
Sulpher Mtn – WFU	AR	FS	3,545	N/A	N/A	3	0
Northfield	TX	ST	1,450	90	7/12	29	0
Whitehat	TX	ST	2,365	100	---	0	0

Lindsey Bay is five miles southeast of Wilma, FL burning in southern rough. Structure protection is in place and an evacuation plan for an adjacent community has been prepared. Minimal fire behavior was observed.

Northfield is 13 miles northeast of Matador, TX, burning in brush and grass. Rough terrain and strong winds are hampering containment efforts. Active fire behavior with flame lengths up to 20 feet were reported.

 

 

ALASKA AREA    (website: fire.ak.blm.gov)

Incident Name	State	Lead Agency	Size (acres)	Percent Contained	Estimate of Containment	Personnel	Structures Lost
Parks Hwy	AK	ST	115,500	60	UNK	50	16

Parks Hwy is one mile southeast of Nenana, AK, burning in black spruce, tundra, and grass. No new information was reported.

 

WEATHER OUTLOOK

A low pressure trough will move across the Northwest and into the Northern Rockies today with gusty winds extending from the Great Basin into the northern Plains. Elsewhere in the west, thunderstorms will develop over the Four Corners states, Wyoming, and Montana.

 

A RED FLAG WARNING HAS BEEN POSTED FOR NORTHEAST MONTANA DUE TO ISOLATED TO SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WITH GUSTY AND ERRATIC WINDS.  FOR SOUTH-CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST MONTANA AND NORTHWEST SOUTH DAKOTA, BIG HORN NATIONAL FOREST FOR VERY LOW HUMIDITY, GUSTY WINDS, AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.

 

A FIRE WEATHER WATCH HAS BEEN POSTED FOR NORTHEAST WYOMING AND WESTERN AND CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA FOR HIGH TEMPERATURES, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY, AND DRY LIGHTNING.  FOR PARTS OF NORTHERN AND WEST-CENTRAL NEVADA DUE TO GUSTY AFTERNOON WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY. IN WESTERN NEVADA FOR STRONG GUSTY SOUTHWEST TO WEST WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY. WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FOR THE EASTERN PLAINS OF CENTRAL MONTANA FOR LOW HUMIDITY, GUSTY WINDS, AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.

 

[Knitting A Conundrum]

The Saunders Fire in Montana:

Incident: Saunders Wildland Fire
Released: 2006-07-12 09:31:00

SAUNDERS FIRE

DAILY INFORMATION FACT SHEET

(406) 322-9831

www.inciweb.org

DATE: Wednesday, July 12, 2006, 7 a.m.

This human-caused fire is four miles west & southwest of Columbus, Mont., in Stillwater County. The fire is southwest of the Yellowstone River and Interstate 90 and hasn’t crossed either.

INCIDENT COMMANDER: Tom Heintz

AGENCIES: Local volunteer fire departments, Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

CURRENT RESOURCES:

PERSONNEL: 176

ENGINES: 21

BULLDOZERS: 2

HELICOPTERS: 4

CURRENT SITUATION: The fire has burned 3100 acres of grass and trees near subdivisions. Two homes, an old homesteader cabin, and an unoccupied house have been burned down by the fire. Investigators reported that the fire is human caused, and investigations continue. On Tuesday, air tankers based in Billings dropped 50,000 gallons of retardant on the fire. Good progress was made by firefighters on further cooling and building the fire line.

Homeowners in the Countryman Creek Ranch Estates have been allowed to return on a limited basis but remain under an evacuation order. Residents of the Yellowstone Ranch Estates remain under an evacuation order. Residents needing more information should contact the Stillwater County Sheriff’s Office.

The fire information office has moved from the Columbus fire hall. The information office is now at the Columbus High School gym lobby, on the back side of the school. There is also a new phone number of fire information (see top of page). Information is available 24 hours a day at www.inciweb.org.

There will be a news media tour at 12 noon. Meet at the back parking lot of the high school. Fire clothing is required.

ACTIONS PLANNED: Crews will be working near the Yellowstone River Wednesday and elsewhere to continue cooling the fire and building fire line. There will be a public meeting at 7 p.m. in the Columbus city hall. Firefighters will continue focusing on the protection of life and property: efforts today will be focused on structure protection and containment of the fire. Several air tankers, both single-engine and larger, are based in Billings and will be available both for this fire and any new starts. Firefighters at the Saunders fire will also be used for any new fire starts in the area. Near Park City, two engines each will continue patrolling the Benedict Gulch and Coal Creek fires, both recently contained.

SPECIAL CONCERNS: A “red-flag” warning is in effect this afternoon for increased westerly winds, low humidity (13-18%) and thunderstorms this afternoon. A weak front is expected to pass through the Saunders fire area with wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour are expected. A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place. The Humane Society has set up an animal shelter at the Fairgrounds.

http://inciweb.org/incident/news/article/277/521/

[Knitting A Conundrum]

wildfire ping!

[La Enchiladita]

Good morning, Knitting. I saw breaking news on this Yucca Valley fire last night, so checked with media first thing this morning.

KTLA reported within the last hour that 40,000 acres have burned, there is no containment and weather conditions are hot, dry and windy, i.e., bad.

San Bernardino declares state of emergency as SoCal fire rages

The 2,200 acre burn in Joshua Tree National Park was just contained on July 2.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Wow!

And if you look at the maps at the top of the thread, you will notice that they are not going to get weather breaks today. That poor area.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Here's the latest from Rim of the World (you're going to hear various figures I suspect for acreage all morning until the next offical guestimate:)

Fire Grows To 26,000 Acres; Officials Express Worry

Breaking News

By RIMOFTHEWORLD.net
Wednesday, July 12, 2006

"We're concerned now about the spread of the fire southwest into Morongo Valley, which could then send it more in a westerly direction then up into the Big Bear area toward the northwest," said Battalion Chief Doug Lannon to the Desert Sun Newspaper of Palm Springs Wednesday morning.

More Resources

Photo Gallery

RIMOFTHEWORLD.net Incident Report

Online Message Board

The winds have shifted overnight, driving the fire further to the south, according to eyewitnesses. This exposes more of the San Bernardino National Forest to the threat. With nearly no containment, fire personnel are highly dependant upon the weather conditions today and the ability of hand crews and aircraft to slow the forward rate of spread of the fire.

The Sawtooth Complex Fire has consumed over 26,000 acres and destroyed at least 33 homes, as of Wednesday morning. At least one Pioneertown man is missing and search and rescue teams are poised to search Pioneertown, Burns Canyon and Rimrock areas for others that may have been caught behind the fire lines. At least 50 Burns Canyon residents were trapped Tuesday evening as the advancing flames blocked their only exit. Firefighters have sheltered the stranded residents and may use air support to help evacuate them Wednesday morning.

The unofficial estimated perimeter of the Sawtooth Complex Fire based upon observation and eyewitness reports. Not all areas within the perimeter have necessarily been affected. (Photo by RIMOFTHEWORLD.net.)

The fire has reached Old Woman Springs Road in Yucca Valley and was burning just to the west of homes in the Morongo Valley. Canyon communities in the eastern San Bernardino Mountain foothills have been evacuated and many are cut off from the outside world. Nine people have been injured, including seven firefighters.

Fire Size	Unofficially about 26,000 Acres
Containment	0%
Cause	Lightning
Damage	Unofficial reports of two structures lost
Casualties	9 injuries: 2 civilians, 7 firefighters
Evacuations	Flamingo Heights , Pioneertown, Gamma Gultch, Pipes Canyon, Rimrock, and Portions of Yucca Valley. Specific roads: Annie Oakley Road, Kimosabe Road, Lariat Trail, Paloma Avenue, Sage Road, Wagon Trail, and Yucca Valley Road.
Evacuees	1,500 Residences
Ecacuation Shelter	Yucca Valley High School, 7600 Sage Ave, Yucca Valley; La Contenta Junior High School, 7050 La Contenta Rd, Yucca Valley

Engines backed out of difficult to access areas late Tuesday afternoon to prevent becoming trapped. Citizens in the Rimrock gathered in large open fields while air support evacuated them.

On Tuesday evening, firefighters evaluated vegetation and access conditions for the 40 to 50 homes in the Onyx Summit area in case the fire approaches that area. While the fire posed no immediate threat to the Big Bear area as of Tuesday evening, officials remain concerned about the size of the fire.

Fire burns behind homes and businesses behind along Highway 62 in Morongo Valley. (Photo by Scott Straley.)

Click Here For More Photos.

The fire, about 8 to 12 miles east of the Big Bear area, exploded Tuesday afternoon. A wind direction shift sent smoke in the Big Bear area causing local fire resources to scramble. The "Sawtooth Complex Fire" is expanded rapidly from under 1,000 acres Tuesday morning to nearly 26,000 acres Wednesday morning. The column of smoke was visible from both the Apple Valley and the San Bernardino Valley. The fire rolled through the dry chapparel, grasses, joshua trees, and pine forests chewing up 50 acres at a time as massive spot fires were consumed by the fires advancing head. http://www.rimoftheworld.net/columns/rotw/vegetation?PHPSESSID=7b3ce5683b40a8dd2042f92a47866c61

[La Enchiladita]

KTTV (local Fox outlet) just did a segment on the fire, calling it a "firestorm." I wonder if they know that is a specific term, not just hyperbole.

16% contained at this moment.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Never trust the press to use the technical terms about fire correctly...

Big hot fires do create unique situations with the wind and speed they travel.

Some official terminology:

Blow-up: A sudden increase in fire intensity or rate of spread strong enough to prevent direct control or to upset control plans. Blow-ups are often accompanied by violent convection and may have other characteristics of a fire storm. (See Flare-up.) (this is what happened yesterday)


CONFLAGRATION: A raging, destructive fire. Often used to connote such a fire with a moving front as distinguished from a fire storm.

EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR: "Extreme" implies a level of fire behavior characteristics that ordinarily precludes methods of direct control action. One or more of the following is usually involved: high rate of spread, prolific crowning and/or spotting, presence of fire whirls, strong convection column. Predictability is difficult because such fires often exercise some degree of influence on their environment and behave erratically, sometimes dangerously.

Fire Storm as: Fire Storm: Violent convection caused by a large continuous area of intense fire. Often characterized by destructively violent surface indrafts, near and beyond the perimeter, and sometimes by tornado-like whirls.

Fire Whirl: Spinning vortex column of ascending hot air and gases rising from a fire and carrying aloft smoke, debris, and flame. Fire whirls range in size from less than one foot to more than 500 feet in diameter. Large fire whirls have the intensity of a small tornado. (I've seen some of these in smaller fires. Sometimes called, unofficially fire devils along the lines of dust devils)

Flare-up: Any sudden acceleration of fire spread or intensification of a fire. Unlike a blow-up, a flare-up lasts a relatively short time and does not radically change control plans.

Rate of Spread: The relative activity of a fire in extending its horizontal dimensions. It is expressed as a rate of increase of the total perimeter of the fire, as rate of forward spread of the fire front, or as rate of increase in area, depending on the intended use of the information. Usually it is expressed in chains or acres per hour for a specific period in the fire’s history.


Run (of a fire): The rapid advance of the head of a fire with a marked change in fire line intensity and rate of spread from that noted before and after the advance.

Running: A rapidly spreading surface fire with a well-defined head.

Spotting: Behavior of a fire producing sparks or embers that are carried by the wind and start new fires beyond the zone of direct ignition by the main fire.

Here's a neat pdf of fire terminology:

http://www.fire.blm.gov/training/standards/GLOSSARY.PDF

a smaller, html one:
http://www.nifc.gov/fireinfo/glossary.html
_________________

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Update on the Sawtooth from the Desert Sun (cannot post)

http://www.thedesertsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060712/BREAKING/60712009

[socal_parrot]

Sawtooth fire perimeter from the CA Dept of Forestry...

I'm in Lake Arrowhead, about 30 miles from Big Bear. It's very dry up here, my Weather Station is measuring 19% humidity. It could be lower as thats as low as the meter goes. The fire is burning near Pioneer Town, the scene of many Roy Rogers westerns.

Here is a larger map of the general area of Yucca Valley...

[socal_parrot]

Here is a link to a fire map GIS viewer, go to link, then click on
"Fire Plan and Mapping Tools Viewer"

http://wildfire.cr.usgs.gov/fireplanning/#

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Precautionary Evacuation For Onyx Summit Area Camps

Breaking News

By RIMOFTHEWORLD.net
Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Big Bear fire officials have implemented a contingency plan for the area. There are no immediate plans for evacuations of residents, however the following camps in the Onyx Summit area have been asked to evacuate: YMCA Camp Oakes, Laurel Pines Christian Camp, and Blue Sky Meadow Science Camp, as a precaution. The fire is reportedly close to entering Rattlesnake Canyon near 2N3.

Fire officials are closing some of the roads in the Onyx Summit area and will be contacting campers in the Heart Bar area to alert them that the campground may be closed if the fire continues to approach. With resources stretched thin, equipment may need to be brought in from Northern California to provide protection in the mountain areas, if needed.

"We're concerned now about the spread of the fire southwest into Morongo Valley, which could then send it more in a westerly direction then up into the Big Bear area toward the northwest," said Battalion Chief Doug Lannon to the Desert Sun Newspaper of Palm Springs Wednesday morning.

The winds have shifted overnight, driving the fire further to the south, according to eyewitnesses. This exposes more of the San Bernardino National Forest to the threat. With nearly no containment, fire personnel are highly dependant upon the weather conditions today and the ability of hand crews and aircraft to slow the forward rate of spread of the fire.

http://www.rimoftheworld.net/columns/rotw/onyx

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Rim of the World is running an incident log culled from scanner talk, website information, and news stories.

Very worth reading, especially if you are local:

http://www.rimoftheworld.net/incident/2432