Wildfire News 7/15/06: Sawtooth, Canyon, Pine Ridge, and more

NICC, NIFC, WFAS, FS ^ | 7/15/06 | 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
SATURDAY, JULY 15, 2006 – 0800 MDT
NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL 3


CURRENT SITUATION:

Initial attack activity was moderate nationally with 201 new fires reported.  Nine new large fires (*) were reported, three in the Northern Rockies Area, two in the Rocky Mountain Area and one each in the Southern California, Eastern Great Basin, Western Great Basin and Southern Areas. Four large fires were contained, two in the Rocky Mountain Area and one each in the Northern Rockies and Eastern Great Basin Areas.  Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Arizona, California, Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.


NORTHERN ROCKIES AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

PINE RIDGE COMPLEX, Southern Land Office, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.  A Type 1 Incident Management Team (Bennett) is assigned. This complex, comprised of five fires, is 30 miles east of Billings, MT in sagebrush and agricultural fields.  Evacuations are in effect. Numerous residences, ranches, rangeland, agricultural crops, timber, powerlines, petroleum pipelines and a rest area are threatened.  Extreme fire behavior with running and spotting was reported.

WATT DRAW, Miles City District, Bureau of Land Management.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Reid) has been ordered. This fire is 13 miles southeast of Ashland, MT in grass, timber and sagebrush. Three residences, outbuildings, and grazing allotments remain threatened. Extreme fire behavior with isolated torching, running, and spotting was observed. 

KING MOUNTAIN, Miles City District, Bureau of Land Management.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Reid) is assigned.  This fire is five miles south of Ashland, MT in grass and understory.  Difficult terrain is hampering containment.  Isolated torching and running were reported.

SAGE, North Cheyenne Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs. This fire is 2 miles northwest of Ashland, MT in timber, grass and understory.  Minimal fire behavior was reported.

BUNDY RAILROAD, Billings District, Bureau of Land Management. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (McNitt) is assigned.  This fire is eight miles northeast of Warden, MT in timber, grass and sagebrush.  Structures remain threatened and evacuations remain in effect.  Very active fire behavior with runs to the north and northeast were observed.

HORTON-HAY, Eastern Land Office, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Grant) is assigned. This fire is 35 miles southwest of Miles City, MT in ponderosa pine, grass and sagebrush.  Spotting and running were reported.

IRON JAW, Eastern Land Office, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Grant) is assigned. This fire is 15 miles southwest of Miles City, MT in timber and grass.  No further information was received.

SHANE RIDGE, Southern Land Office, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Heintz) is assigned.  A transfer of command back to the local unit will occur today.  This fire is 10 miles southeast of Columbus, MT in timber, grass and understory.  Minimal fire behavior was observed.

SPRING CREEK, Eastern Land Office, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Grant) will assume command today.  This fire is 27 miles southwest of Miles City, MT.  No further information was received.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

SAWTOOTH COMPLEX, San Bernardino Unit, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF).  A Unified Command has been established between a CDF Type 1 Incident Command Team (Henson) and the Forest Service.  This complex, comprised of the Sawtooth, Waters, and Ridge fires, is two miles east of Yucca Valley, CA, in chaparral. This complex has merged with the Millard Complex. Repair of Burns Canyon road will aid in access. Numerous residences remain threatened.  A portion of the fire has burned into the San Bernardino National Forest.  Weather and steep, rocky terrain continue to impede containment efforts.  Extreme fire behavior in the Mission and Dry Creek areas was observed. Rapid rate of spread and spotting were reported.

MILLARD COMPLEX, San Bernardino National Forest. A Unified Command has been established between a Type 2 Incident Management Team (Walker), The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF), the U. S. Forest Service, and the Riverside County Fire Department.    This complex, comprised of four fires; State, Jump Off, For Sure and Millard, is seven miles north of Cabazon, CA in chaparral and conifer.  This complex has merged with the Sawtooth Complex. Numerous residences, municipalities, tribal interests, and cultural resources remain threatened.  Extreme fire behavior was observed, with moderate spread in the Mission Creek area.
EDGEMONT, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF).  This fire is 2 miles southeast of Redlands, CA in brush and grass.  Two residential subdivisions in the city of Redlands are threatened.  Difficult access is impeding containment efforts.  Erratic fire behavior with flame lengths up to 75 feet 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.  Several residences, ranches and Henry Coe State Park remain threatened.  Difficult access, steep terrain, weather and heavy smoke continue to hamper containment.  Very active fire behavior was reported

EASTERN GREAT BASIN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

BABOON 2, Cedar City District, Bureau of Land Management.  This fire is 10 miles south of Minerville, UT in cheatgrass, sagebrush, pinyon pine and juniper.  Minimal fire behavior with isolated and group torching was reported.

SAGE VALLEY, Richfield Field Office, Bureau of Land Management. This fire is 10 miles north of Mills, UT in pinyon pine, juniper, grass and sagebrush.  Minimal fire behavior was reported. Some interior torching in unburned pockets of fuel was observed.

WEST KANOSH, Fish Lake National Forest.  This fire is six miles southwest of Kanosh, UT in brush and hardwood slash.  No new information was reported.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

BUFFALO CREEK COMPLEX, Wyoming State Forestry (CPC Area). This fire is three miles north of Leiter, WY in grass and sage. Numerous residences, ranches and powerlines are threatened.  Extreme fire behavior with running, spotting and fire whirls was reported.

THORN DIVIDE COMPLEX, Crook County.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Lowe) is assigned.  This fire is five miles south of Devils Tower National Monument, WY in timber and grass.  Numerous residences, powerlines and the National Monument are threatened.  Highway 14 has been closed.  Torching and long range spotting were observed. 

WOLF CANYON, South Dakota State.  This fire is five miles east of Edgemont, SD in grass and timber.  A major powerline, a radio tower and livestock grazing areas are threatened.  Smoldering and single tree torching were reported.

WESTERN GREAT BASIN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

BALLY, Ely District, Bureau of Land Management.  This fire is seven miles northeast of Barley, NV in brush, slash, pinyon pine and juniper.  Individual torching and smoldering were observed.

KELLY POINT WFU, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area.  This lightning-caused Wildland Fire Use (WFU) incident is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. This fire is 51 miles northeast of Kingman, AZ on the Shivwits Plateau in hardwood litter, pinyon pine, juniper, sage and grass.  Minimal fire behavior with creeping was reported.  This will be the last narrative report unless significant activity occurs.

NORTHWEST AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

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. The fire received some light precipitation.  Smoldering, creeping and interior torching were reported.

SOUTHERN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

LEWIS COUNTY, Texas Forest Service. This fire is 15 miles southwest of Abilene, TX in juniper, oak and mesquite. Evacuations and road closures are in effect. Steep terrain and dry fuels are hampering containment.  Extreme fire behavior and rapid rates of spread were observed.

LINDSEY BAY, National Forests of Florida.  This fire is five miles southeast of Wilma, FL in southern rough.  Structural protection and an evacuation plan are in place for an adjacent community. Some light precipitation fell over the fire area, though not enough to assist in suppression efforts.  Hotter and drier conditions are expected.

OUTLOOK:

Red Flag Warning:  For northeast Wyoming and much of South Dakota for increasing winds, low relative humidity, and hot temperatures.

Fire Weather Watches:  Fire Weather Watch Saturday afternoon and evening for all of North Dakota and most of central and eastern Montana for very hot temperatures, low relative humidities and gusty winds.  Chance of Dry Thunderstorms also exists for south-central Montana.

Weather Discussion:  Strong high pressure covers much of the west with hot, dry weather over most areas.  Westerly flow aloft continues across the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies.  A disturbance from off the coast will track across Idaho and Montana today and bring a threat of mostly dry thunderstorms to portions of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.



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

[Knitting A Conundrum]

California fires are still dominating the news, but a wave of fires in Montana and Wyoming have started, as large as and larger than the ones in California, although not as affecting so many people.

Heat dominates Southern California, and fire weather advisories for Montana and the northern plains states. Dry lightning is possible across Idaho and Montana, so don't be surprised to see more fires pop up.

News updated as I find it. Let me know if you want to be on the wildfire ping.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Incident Intelligence Summary (ICS-209)

1: Date 07/14/2006

2: Time 1800

3: Initial   |   Update   |   Final              |        XX      |

4: Incident Number CA-BDU-007229

5: Incident Name SAWTOOTH COMPLEX

6: Incident Kind Wildland Fire

7: Start Date    Time 07/09/2006 0830

8: Cause Lightning

9: Incident Commander Unified Command

10: IMT Type 1

11: State-Unit CA-BDU

12: County SAN BERNARDINO

13: Latitude and Longitude Lat: 34° 8´ 17"  Long: 116° 32´ 17" Ownership: CA-BDU

14: Short Location Description (in reference to nearest town): 2 miles east of Yucca Valley, CA

Current Situation

15: Size/Area Involved 59,000 ACRES

16: % Contained or MMA 35 Percent

17: Expected Containment Date:   Time:

18: Line to Build 22 Miles

19: Costs to Date $7,127,895

20: Declared Controlled Date: Time:

21: Injuries this Reporting Period:	22: Injuries to Date:	23: Fatalities	24: Structure Information
4	10	0	Type of Structure	# Threatened	# Damaged	# Destroyed
25: Threat to Human Life/Safety: Evacuation(s) in progress ---- No evacuation(s) imminent -- Potential future threat -------- No likely threat ---------------			Residence	1,500	0	45
			Commercial Property	50
			Outbuilding/Other	1,500		118

26: Communities/Critical Infrastructure Threatened (in 12, 24, 48 and 72 hour time frames):
12 hours: Morongo Valley, Burns Canyon
24 hours:
48 hours: Community around Onyx
72 hours:

27: Critical Resource Needs (kind & amount, in priority order):
1. Critical resources needs are currently met.
2.
3.

28: Major problems and concerns (control problems, social/political/economic concerns or impacts, etc.) Relate critical resources needs identified above to the Incident Action Plan.
The fire is burning in extremely steep rugged terrain with little access. Control options are few. The Millard Complex and the Sawtooth Complex have merged to form one perimeter. Extreme heat, low humidity and erratic winds continue in the fire area. Repair of critical road in Burns Canyon is being made to facilitate the moving of firefighting resources. Tree mortality in upper elevations has potential for increased fire behavior.

29: Resources threatened (kind(s) and value/significance):
San Gorgonio Wilderness, Bighorn Mountain Wilderness

30: Current Weather Conditions Wind Speed: 7 mph    Temperature: 82-102 Wind Direction: SW       Relative Humidity: 18-24

31: Resource benefits/objectives (for prescribed/wildland fire use only):

32: Fuels/Materials Involved: 4 Chaparral (6 Feet)
Greasewood & Joshua Trees Intermixed With Fine Fuels, Upper Elevations Have Pinyon/Juniper and Jeffery Pine.

33: Today's observed fire behavior (leave blank for non-fire events):
A plume generated smoke column occurred when the two fires merged causing an Ice Cap in the mid-troposphere (24,000 ft.). Extreme fire behavior in Dry Creek and Mission.

34: Significant events today (closures, evacuations, significant progress made, etc.):
Indirect line construction in Burns Canyon and Rattlesnake to Hwy 38 continue. Close coordination between the Sawtooth and Millard Incidents are in effect. Resource and Intel sharing is effectively occurring.

Outlook

35: Estimated Control Date and Time:

36: Projected Final Size:

37: Estimated Final Cost:

38: Tomorrow's Forecasted Weather Wind Speed: 5-8 mph    Temperature: 95-103 Wind Direction: S       Relative Humidity: 18-20

39: Actions planned for next operational period:
Complete indirect line on northwest side for contingency plan implementation. Continue direct line construction on the south side of the fire. Mop-up and patrol operations on the east and south side of the fire.

40: Projected incident movement/spread during next operational period:
The north western perimeter of the fire is the priority. The fire has now burned into a portion of the San Bernardino Nat'l Forest. Extremely steep rocky terrain is making access difficult as the fire moves west. The fire is projected to spread up to 100 feet per minute in light fuels with spotting up to .3 miles. The Millard and Sawtooth fires have merged.

41: For fire incidents, describe resistance to control in terms of:

1. Growth Potential - Extreme

2. Difficulty of Terrain - Extreme

42: How likely is it that containment/control targets will be met, given the current resources and suppression/control strategy?
Containment within the next burn period is unlikely.

43: Projected demobilization start date:

44: Remarks:
The Sawtooth fire is under the command of a Unified Command consisting of the California Department of Forestry, San Bernardino County Fire Department and the United States Forest Service.
 

45: Committed Resources (Supplemental Committed Resources follow the first block)

Agency	CRW1		CRW2		HEL1	HEL2	HEL3	ENGS		DOZR		WTDR	OVHD	Camp Crews	Total Personnel
	SR	ST	SR	ST	SR	SR	SR	SR	ST	SR	ST	SR	SR
BIA	1		7												205
PRI			1		4	2	1			2		16	1		92
ST	8	22				2		10	14	10	4	12	130	3	1,363
BLM	1							1					3		28
CNTY	2	5					1	2	14	4			20		484
OTHR
USFS	7		2			2	1	2	5	3	1	4	17		367
OES									8			1			157
LGR								4	3			6	34	5	190
NPS										1			1		8
DDQ												1			2
Total	19	27	10	0	4	6	3	19	44	20	5	40	206	8	2,896

Total personnel by agency are listed in the first section of committed resources.
Agency	HELTK	FIXW	TRKCO	RESMD	LGTAIR
	SR	SR	SR	SR
BIA
PRI
ST
BLM
CNTY
OTHR
USFS
OES
LGR
NPS
DDQ
Total	0	0	0	0	0

46: Cooperating and Assisting Agencies Not Listed Above:
San Bernardino County Fire, Morongo Valley Fire, CHP, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, Calif. Dept. Of Corrections & Rehabilitation, Los Angeles County Fire, Red Cross, and San Bernardino County OES

Approval Information

47: Prepared by: Armando Rios

48: Approved by: Rick Henson I.C.

49: Sent to:SOPS by: Armando Rios Date: 07/14/2006 Time: 1855

 

1: Date 07/14/2006

2: Time 1800

3: Initial   |   Update   |   Final              |        XX      |

4: Incident Number CA-BDF-6773

5: Incident Name MILLARD COMPLEX

6: Incident Kind Wildland Fire

7: Start Date    Time 07/09/2006 0833

8: Cause Lightning

9: Incident Commander Walker, Windsor,Wade

10: IMT Type 2

11: State-Unit CA-BDF

12: County SAN BERNARDINO

13: Latitude and Longitude Lat: 34° 2´ 10"  Long: 116° 46´ 37" Ownership: CA-BDF

14: Short Location Description (in reference to nearest town): SEVEN MILES NORTH OF CABAZON

Current Situation

15: Size/Area Involved 10,000 ACRES

16: % Contained or MMA 5 Percent

17: Expected Containment Date:   Time:

18: Line to Build 28.2 Miles

19: Costs to Date $3,059,654

20: Declared Controlled Date: Time:

21: Injuries this Reporting Period:	22: Injuries to Date:	23: Fatalities	24: Structure Information
0	0	0	Type of Structure	# Threatened	# Damaged	# Destroyed
25: Threat to Human Life/Safety: Evacuation(s) in progress ---- No evacuation(s) imminent -- Potential future threat -------- XX No likely threat ---------------			Residence	75
			Commercial Property	7
			Outbuilding/Other

26: Communities/Critical Infrastructure Threatened (in 12, 24, 48 and 72 hour time frames):
12 hours: Mission Creek
24 hours: Snow Peak communication repeater site. Hunting lodge
48 hours: Bonnie Bell Community. Painted Hills Community
72 hours:

27: Critical Resource Needs (kind & amount, in priority order):
1.
2.
3.

28: Major problems and concerns (control problems, social/political/economic concerns or impacts, etc.) Relate critical resources needs identified above to the Incident Action Plan.
Fire continues to be active in Whitewater Canyon and is also moving to the Northeast. After merging with the Sawtooth Complex, the fire advanced up Mission Creek to the North. Lightning Activity Level predicted to increase to 1-2 and also a potential for thunderstorm activity in the region.

29: Resources threatened (kind(s) and value/significance):
City of Banning watershed, San Gorgonio Wilderness, Morongo Tribal interests, Agua Caliente tribal interests, Whitewate Canyon, Mission Creek, Morongo Valley, significant archelogical sites and paleontological resources

30: Current Weather Conditions Wind Speed: 10-15 mph    Temperature: 102 Wind Direction: WSW       Relative Humidity: 12

31: Resource benefits/objectives (for prescribed/wildland fire use only):

32: Fuels/Materials Involved: 4 Chaparral (6 Feet)
Fuels on the Millard Complex are FM 4 and 10 with large amounts of understory and bug killed timber intermixed with a grass component

33: Today's observed fire behavior (leave blank for non-fire events):
Extreme fire behavior.

34: Significant events today (closures, evacuations, significant progress made, etc.):
Hand crews re-engaged in parts of the fire where safety would allow. Anchor points identified with line construction. Heavy use of rotor-wing assets.

Outlook

35: Estimated Control Date and Time:

36: Projected Final Size:

37: Estimated Final Cost:

38: Tomorrow's Forecasted Weather Wind Speed: 10-15 mph    Temperature: 108 Wind Direction: SSW       Relative Humidity: 10

39: Actions planned for next operational period:
Structure protection in Whitewater Canyon. Continue line construction

40: Projected incident movement/spread during next operational period:
Minimal to moderate rates of spread in Mission Creek.

41: For fire incidents, describe resistance to control in terms of:

1. Growth Potential - Extreme

2. Difficulty of Terrain - Extreme

42: How likely is it that containment/control targets will be met, given the current resources and suppression/control strategy?
Likely in 3-5 days

43: Projected demobilization start date:

44: Remarks:
Heavy use of air tankers and helicopters to anchor southern flank of fire. Constant communication between Teams on Millard Complex and Sawtooth Complex. Mission Creek identified as boundary between complexes. Fire remains in Unified Command between U.S. Forest Service, California Deptartment of Forestry, Riverside County Fire, and Riverside County Sherrif Department.
 

45: Committed Resources (Supplemental Committed Resources follow the first block)

Agency	CRW1		CRW2		HEL1	HEL2	HEL3	ENGS		DOZR		WTDR	OVHD	Camp Crews	Total Personnel
	SR	ST	SR	ST	SR	SR	SR	SR	ST	SR	ST	SR	SR
CNTY								1					21		24
LGR													18		18
PRI					6	1				6		7	16		88
ST									2				10		85
BLM													6		6
USFS	16				3	10	2		4				54		601
NPS													4		4
BIA	4														81
Total	20	0	0	0	9	11	2	1	6	6	0	7	129	0	907

Total personnel by agency are listed in the first section of committed resources.
Agency	HELTK	FIXW	TRKCO	RESMD	LGTAIR
	SR	SR	SR	SR
CNTY
LGR
PRI	4
ST
BLM		3
USFS	12	3
NPS
BIA
Total	16	6	0	0	0

46: Cooperating and Assisting Agencies Not Listed Above:
Morongo Tribe, Agua Caliente Tribe

Approval Information

47: Prepared by: M. Hoose SITL (T)

48: Approved by: Norm Walker, ICT2

49: Sent to:SOPS by: M Hoose Date: 07/14/2006 Time: 1800

[Knitting A Conundrum]

The Horton-Hay Complex consists of three fires: The Spring Creek Fire (approx. 543 acres), the Horton-Hay Creek Fire (approx. 16,592 acres), and the Iron Jaw Fire (approx. 165 acres). All fires are burning in Rosebud County.
Basic Information
Updated 2006-07-15 08:23:06 EST
Incident Type Wildland Fire
Benefits & Objectives
Firefighter and Public Safety is top priority. Structure protection for approximately 50 structures in the Moon Creek Area.
Cause Lightning
Date of Origin 07/12/2006 at 1645 hrs.
Location 35 miles southwest of Miles City, Montana

Incident Commander Mark Grant

Current Situation
Size 17,300 acres
Total Personnel 70
Fuels Involved timber, grassland

Planned Actions A Type 2 Incident Management Team from the Northern Rockies will transition to management of the
Growth Potential Extreme
Terrain Difficulty Extreme

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Incident: Thorn Divide Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 2006-07-15 09:00:00

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 15, 2006

0900

Thorn Divide Complex

More information, pictures, and a map of the Thorn Divide Complex can be found at www.inciweb.org.

Location: 5 miles south of Devil’s Tower National Monument near Carlile, WY

Size: 6000 acres

Containment: 10%

Cause: Lightning

Structures: 70 residences and 36 outbuildings threatened, 1 outbuilding was lost

Personnel: Approximately 153 with additional resources arriving this morning

Current Resources include: 2 Type 1 handcrews, 1 Type 2 handcrew, 25 engines, 3 dozers, 7 water tenders, over head personnel, and aerial support

Cooperators include: Area VFD’s, State of Wyoming, Crook County, State of South Dakota, National Park Service, US Forest Service

Current Situation: Today will be a crucial day for firefighters. Not only will they be battling the fire, they will also be battling Mother Nature. Low humidity overnight coupled with high temperatures predicted to be over 100 and relative humidity in the single digits will cause extreme fire behavior today. A fire weather watch has been issued for Sunday.

Crews working on the fire through the night reported that the fire remained very active. This morning crews will hit the fire hard in an attempt to make as much progress as possible before fire behavior increases. Aerial resources, including Type 1 helitankers, National Guard Blackhawks, and single engine air tankers, will assist firefighters.

Firefighter and public safety is the number one priority as firefighters continue to fight the fire aggressively. The fire is burning on private land and a mandatory evacuation was ordered by the Crook County commissioners for the town of Carlile and the area east of the Zimmerschied fire. A major powerline that runs through the area is threatened. Highway 14 is closed from the junctions of highways 24 and 113.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

A Northern Rockies Type 2 Incident Managment Team has assumed management responsibility of the Bundy Railroad Fire, this is a joint-jurisdictional fire, with the Bureau of Land Management taking lead role as managing agency.
Basic Information
Updated 2006-07-15 11:00:28 EST
Incident Type Wildland Fire
Benefits & Objectives
Crews will continue structure protection efforts while working today to strengthen and hold line that has been established.
Cause Lightning
Date of Origin 07/12/2006 at 1301 hrs.
Location 8 Miles Northeast of Worden, Montana

Incident Commander Glenn Mcnitt
Current Situation
Size 32,000 acres
Percent Contained 40%
Estimated Containment Date
Total Personnel 201
Fuels Involved Timber, Grass, and Sagebrush
Fire Behavior Rapids rates of spread were observed on the fire yesterday, as winds caused extreme and erratic fire behavior. Fire made runs to the North and East.
Today's Significant Events The fire made major runs to the North and East late yesterday. Crews were able to protect the few homes that were in the path of the growth.

Outlook
Estimated Date of Control
Planned Actions Work will continue to provide structure protection to homes in the area. Efforts will continue to strengthen and construct line.

Growth Potential Extreme
Terrain Difficulty moderate
Containment Target
Remarks Fire is expected to remain active until weather moderates.
Weather
Current Wind Conditions 7-8 mph W
Current Temperature 87 degrees
Current Humidity 20 %

http://inciweb.org/incident/285/

[Irish_Thatcherite]

When I saw the title of the thread - I figured it was you who posted it, KAC! ;)

[pollywog]

ping me to your list Knitting.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Incident: Millard Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 2006-07-14 23:28:00

Fire information is available from several sources.

This website serves as the most current fire information and is updated periodically throughout the day as new information becomes available.

A public information line is established at the San Bernardino National Forest at 909-383-5688.

A media information line is established at the Incident Command Post in the Morongo Casino in Cabazon at 951-849-9911.

A mapserver has been established to provide access to many incident map products. The site is provided courtesy of ESRI and is accessible at http://www.calmast.org/mast/public/index.

http://inciweb.org/incident/news/article/276/557/

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Fire Breaks Out Near Redlands, 1 Structure Lost

(AP) REDLANDS, Calif. Yet another wildfire has broken out in San Bernardino County. The Edgemont fire near the city of Redlands has burned about 500 acres since it started last night and is threatening about a hundred residents, according to the California Department of Forestry.

No one has been evacuated, and only a garage has been burned so far.

Firefighters have the blaze 20 percent contained.

Captain Neil Black of the Department of Forestry says the fire "is burning in basically grass."

The Edgemont fire is about 50 miles west of the two major Southern California wildfires that merged yesterday.

The cause is under investigation.

http://cbs2.com/topstories/local_story_196102956.html

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Heat, Winds Challenge Calif. Firefighters
Firefighters Battling Newly Merged Pair of Calif. Wildfires Fear Weather Could Hinder Progress
By CHRISTINA ALMEIDA
The Associated Press

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. - Firefighters battling a newly merged pair of wildfires feared the blaze could create disastrous weather Saturday and hinder progress in blocking the fire from reaching the populated San Bernardino Mountains.

The lightning-caused fires, covering about 108 square miles combined, merged Friday afternoon in craggy, brush-covered hills just northeast of the mountains, where millions of trees killed by drought and bark beetles could provide explosive fuel.

When fires become intense enough, they can generate their own winds and become highly unpredictable. But in this case, "there was no cataclysmic event," said U.S. Forest Service spokesman Jim Wilkins.

But officials were concerned that the unforgiving desert heat, erratic winds and rugged terrain will challenge firefighters in the coming days. Fire heat rising into the atmosphere could produce dry lightning Saturday.

"That will not only start new fires, but also strike firefighters," said National Weather Service forecaster Robert Balfour. He said thunderstorms, gusty winds and rain was also in the forecast for the next several days.

The larger of the two fires has destroyed 56 homes and 163 smaller buildings such as sheds, officials said. The 59,000-acre blaze, about 92 square miles, began a week ago on the Mojave Desert floor below the eastern flank of the San Bernardinos, and was 35 percent contained.

The smaller fire had burned 10,000 acres roughly 16 square miles and was 5 percent contained. Though heavy smoke filled the sky Friday, wind was pushing that fire away from the mountaintop Big Bear resort region and back onto areas already burned by the larger fire. People began packing suitcases but otherwise stayed put.

Thousands of people live in and around Big Bear Lake, a popular summer destination about 80 miles east of Los Angeles which went through its last big scare in Southern California's onslaught devastating wildfires three years ago.

Resident Jeri Stayer packed clothes and personal documents and had her cat's carrier ready to go, just in case. But Stayer, her husband, their 13-year-old daughter and the cat didn't think it was time to leave.

"Maybe if we saw flames down the street, but we have a lot of faith in the firefighters," Stayer said.

Another resident, 51-year-old Wendell Cole, also was relying on faith.

"God put the fire out when it was coming over last time," said Cole, referring to a snowfall that helped firefighters control the 2003 blaze. "We trust the Lord."

Despite low humidity, steep, broken slopes and 105-degree temperatures, firefighting efforts were in "great shape," Wilkins said. About 2,900 firefighters and three dozen aircraft were fighting the blazes.

In Pioneertown, a former Western movie locale where the larger fire burned several homes this week, a search and rescue team planned to head back out to look for a 57-year-old man missing since Tuesday. The wife of Jerry Guthrie reported him missing.

Meanwhile, in southern Montana, firefighters mostly east of Billings were battling four large fires that charred tens of thousands of acres Friday evening. The fires threatened hundreds of homes, including roughly 150 homes, officials said.

Associated Press Writers Jeremiah Marquez in Big Bear, Thomas Watkins in San Diego and Becky Bohrer in Billings, Mont., contributed to this report.

On the Net:

National Interagency Fire Center, http://www.nifc.gov

http://abcnews.go.com/US/print?id=2195989

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Firefighters increase containment of Sawtooth fire
Mike Cruz, Staff Writer

SAN BERNARDINO -- Firefighters increased containment of the Sawtooth Complex wildfire overnight with the help of increased manpower and humidity, which is expected to continue through the day, U.S. Forest Service officials said this morning.

Meanwhile, the Millard Complex fire continued to steadily consume vegetation in the Whitewater Canyon area with little help from the weather.

The two fires have merged, however, officials are still working the fires as two separate blazes.

The Sawtooth Complex fire remained at 59,000 acres, and firefighters increased containment by 5 percent to a total of 40 percent as of 6 a.m., officials said.

``Normally, with lower temperatures and higher humidities, the fire lays down and isn't real aggressive in the evening hours,'' Forest Service spokeswoman Carol Beckley said of the Sawtooth Complex fire.

The fire is burning in the communities around the Onyx Summit area, but has not yet reached Onyx Summit, Beckley said. No estimates were available about when firefighters expect to have the fire fully contained.

``It's burning in real steep terrain with little access, so it's going to take some time to get fully contained,'' Beckley said.

More than 1,000 additional firefighters joined the ranks overnight of those working the blaze.

No additional structures were lost, nor did any injuries occur.

The weather forecast for today at the Sawtooth Complex fire was high temperatures between 89 to 97 degrees with 25 percent

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humidity and 5 to 8 mph winds in a southeasterly direction, according to the Forest Service.

However, the Millard Complex fire's burn area jumped to 12,304 acres, an increase of more than 2,300 acres overnight, officials said. It is currently 5 percent contained, which remained unchanged.

Beckley said there was nothing in the path of the Millard fire that concerns firefighters.

``It continued to have a lot of activity in the Whitewater Canyon, moving toward the northeast,'' Beckley said. ``It's basically in the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area.''

Forest Service officials reminded the public that the wilderness area is closed to hikers and campers.

Temperatures around the Millard fire were expected to reach 108 degrees today with humidity at 10 percent.

http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/ci_4056945

[Knitting A Conundrum]

End in Sight for Canyon Fire

By Mike Martinez, STAFF WRITER

PATTERSON -- With the weather making favorable turn, a wildfire burning out of control for nearly a week is expected to be contained by tonight, state fire officials said.

Weaker winds and higher humidity have turned the Canyon Fire to a slow burn -- only

1,000 acres of wild land was burned Thursday night compared to nearly 10,000 Tuesday night when winds were swirling and humidity was low -- allowing the 2,000 firefighters to build fire lines to contain the blaze.

"We're trying to get the lines in to stop the progress," said Mike Sawyer, a firefighter with the California Department of Forestry. "We're still experiencing fire activity, especially along the south and southwest lines."

The fire, burning a few miles west of Patterson, was 45 percent contained by 7 a.m. Friday.

Sawyer said a backfire operation was planned for Friday night and contingency lines were also being built in case the primary lines didn't hold.

"We're fighting fire with fire to support the dozer lines," Sawyer said. "We're widening the bulldozer lines with fire so when the wildfire hits, it runs into (areas) that already burned."

Authorities have shut down Del Puerto Canyon Road to nonresident traffic and are warning travelers to stay away from areas affected by the fire. Area residents are not under mandatory evacuation orders but they are ready just in case, a CDF spokesman said.

It began near Del Puerto Canyon west of Patterson Sunday afternoon, less than a week after a fire scorched more than 2,500 acres in the same area near Frank Raines Regional Park.

It has spread into Santa Clara County and is threatening Henry Coe State Park, the largest state park in Northern California. Three structures were destroyed on Thursday, bringing the total to 11, as the taxpayers bill to battle the blaze has jumped to $5.9 million.

The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The fire has been difficult to battle because there hasn't been a significant fire in the area in about 50 years, allowing the brush to mature, a spokesman for the CDF said. Also, heavy spring rains spurred wild grass -- which has since dried -- to grow taller than normal and act as source to encourage the shrubs to burn hotter.

Mike Martinez can be reached at (209) 832-3947 or at mmmartinez@trivalleyherald.com.

http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/573690/end_in_sight_for_canyon_fire/index.html?source=r_science

[Knitting A Conundrum]

updated 6am

Sawtooth Complex Incident Information:
Last Updated: July 15, 2006 6:00 am
Date/Time Started: July 9, 2006 8:30 am
Administrative Unit: CDF San Bernardino Unit
County: San Bernardino
Location: East of Yucca Valley
Acres Burned: 59,000
Containment 40% containment
Structures Destroyed: 45 homes, 8
garages, 118 outbuildings, 122 cars
and pick-up trucks, 2 R.V.s, 15
trailers, 2 railcars, 7 tractors, 20
misc. destroyed.

8 homes, 1 garage, 1 outbuilding, 2 haystacks, 2 misc.. damaged.

Threatened: 3,000+ structures
continue to be threatened in the fire area.


Mandatory evacuations have been lifted
for residents with identification for
Pioneertown, Skyline Ranch, Pipes
Canyon and Gamma Gulch.

Injuries: 10 total - all minor
Cause: Lightning
Cooperating Agencies: CDF, San
Bernardino County Fire, U.S. Forest
Service, CHP, LA County Fire, CA Dept.
of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Red
Cross & Office of Emergency Services
Total Fire Personnel: 2,896 (1,363 CDF)
Fire crews: 73 (53 CDF)
Engines: 239 (80 CDF)
Airtankers: 10 (9 CDF)
Helicopters: 13 (2 CDF)
Dozers: 30 (18 CDF)
Water tenders: 40
Costs to date: .1 million
Major Incident Command Team: CDF Team
#8/Unified Command with U.S Forest
Service/San Bernardino County Fire
Conditions: The fire is burning in
extremely steep rugged terrain with
little access. Extreme heat, low
humidity and erratic winds continue in
the fire area.

The Millard Complex and the Sawtooth
Complex merged to form one perimeter.

No evacuations in the Big Bear Valley
at this time. Residents of these
areas are encouraged to stay tuned to
their local media outlet for any
change in the status of their area.

Evacuation Centers have been set up at
the Yucca Valley High School, 7600
Sage Ave,and Big Bear Elementary
School, 40940 Pennsylvania (for Burns
Canyon residents).

For animal/pet information
- 1-800-472-5609 (So. CA only),
www.sbcounty.gov/acc

The fires continues burning southeasterly
towards Mission and Dry Creek.

Phone Numbers 1 (909) 383-5688
(Sawtooth Fire Information)
Phone Numbers 1 (800) 472-5609
(Animal Evacuation Information, So. CA
Only)

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

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Millard Update on inciweb (from 6:45am):
Summary
The Millard Complex is burning in
rugged terrain in the San Gorgonio
Wilderness. It is currently estimated
at 12,304 acres and is 5% contained.
There is no expected date of
containment at this time.


Basic Information
Updated 2006-07-15 09:45:23 EST
Incident Type Wildland Fire
Benefits & Objectives
Management Objectives:
1. Provide for firefighter and public safety.
2. Utilize minimum impact suppression tactics
in wilderness areas.
3. Avoid and report archaeological sites.
4. Develop and maintain a cost containment strategy
for the incident.
Control Objectives:
1. Keep fires north of Millard Canyon.
2. Keep fires south of Mission Creek.
3. Keep fires west of the Pacific Crest Trail.
4. Keep fires east of Mill Creek jump off.

Cause Lightning
Date of Origin 07/09/2006 at 0833 hrs.
Location 7 Miles north of Cabazon
In San Gorgonio WIlderness, north of I-
10 and west of Highway 62
Incident Commander Norm Walker

Current Situation
Size 12,304 acres
Percent Contained 5%
Estimated Containment Date
Total Personnel 885
Fuels Involved The fires are burning
within old decadent stands of
intermixed timber, Douglas fir, sugar
and jeffrey pine above the 6000'
elevation. There is high mortality in
the fuels due to drought and bug kill.
Fire Behavior Extreme fire behavior is
expected today. The fire will be
dominated by topography and wind.
Plume domination is a high probability
for today. The Sawtooth Complex to the
north will influence the Millard
Complex fire behavior.
Today's Significant Events Unified
Command established between U.S.
Forest Service, California Department
of Forestry and Riverside County Fire
at 1600 hrs on 07-12-06.

Outlook
Estimated Date of Control
Planned Actions Structure protection
is in place in Whitewater Canyon. Hand
crews re-engaged in parts of the fire
where safety would allow. Heavy use of
air tankers and helicopters were used
to anchor the southern flank of the
fire.
Projected Movement Fire continues to
be active in Whitewater Canyon and is
moving to the Northwest. After merging
with the Sawtooth Complex, the fire
advanced up Mission Creek to the North.
Growth Potential Extreme
Terrain Difficulty Inaccessible, steep
terrain. Air operations are playing a
significant role with 16 helicopters
and 6 airtankers assigned.
Containment Target

Remarks No immediate threats to any
communities at this time. Threats are
to watersheds, wilderness, and tribal
interests. Heavy use of air tankers
and helicopters to anchor Southern
flank of fire. Constant communication
between Teams on Millard Complex and
Sawtooth Complex ongoing; Mission
Creek identified as boundary between
Complexes

Weather
Current Wind Conditions 3-5 mph SW
Current Temperature 84 degrees
Current Humidity 25 %
Forecasted Wind Conditions 5-15 mph SW
Forecasted Temperature 96-106 degrees
Forecasted Humidity 8-13 %

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

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Wildfire thread ping! Thread for today is up!

[george76]

Thanks for doing this daily report.

I was waiting for this to happen...but hoping that it would not happen.

a wave of fires in Montana and Wyoming have started...larger than the ones in California...

[Knitting A Conundrum]

It wouldn't be a fire season without SOME big fires in the upper tier...lots of contingency set up just for that every year.

The Pine Ridge complex might be the first to hit 100,000 acres this year. But maybe not. It might just be an appetizer, so to say.

When the Payette, the Frank Church Wilderness, the Salmon-Challis, the Bitterroot start getting some real fires, then we will be in high fire season.

[socal_parrot]

Good morning. Thanks for this very informative thread. The folks in Big Bear got good news with the wind change. Yesterday, the smoke plume passed over our house to the southwest of the Sawtooth Fire. Today, no smoke.

The monsoon flow is supposed to return tomorrow night, bringing the possibility of lightning back to the mountain area until at least Tuesday.

Here is a pic from the LA Slimes showing the smoke over Big Bear lake yesterday...

[Knitting A Conundrum]

What a pic!

My hubby's on his way to work in the information center the fire people set up in the Morongo casino...this fire is now more personal for me, too.

[socal_parrot]

Express our thanks to hubby and the rest of the folks working to put out these fires. Here is a link to the Slimes slideshow of the Sawtooth Complex fire...

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-0712fire_lat-pg,0,6901978.photogallery?coll=la-home-headlines

Here is a link to my personal weather station. Currently 86 degrees and 26% humididty...

http://www.sellingmountainhomes.com/user/index.htm