Sawtooth 15% Contained; However Fires May Merge
Breaking News
By RIMOFTHEWORLD.net
Thursday, July 13, 2006
A spot fire has been reported at the intersection of San Jacinto St and Laurel Dr in Morongo Valley — less than one mile from Highway 62.
Little Morongo Canyon now has a mandatory evacuation. The fire has destroyed 42 homes and 55 outbuildings — about 20 homes were in the Pioneertown area.
The Sawtooth Complex Fire is now 15% contained, according to fire officials. Most of the containment is along the north side near Old Woman Springs Road. Air Attack will resume at 6 AM with a full air assault of nearly twenty aircraft attacking the fire today.
The twin headed monster of the Millard Complex Fire and the Sawtooth Complex Fire will likely combine on Thursday creating a massive single wildfire that will stretch over twenty miles, straining resources as they cope with structure protection and rescues throughout the affected areas. The San Bernardino National Forest has assumed "Unified Incident Command" for both fires, overseeing the efforts of state, county, and local fire agencies.
http://www.rimoftheworld.net/columns/rotw/massive
Montana News:
Incident: Saunders & Shane Ridge Wildland Fires
Released: 2006-07-13 09:16:00
SAUNDERS & SHANE RIDGE FIRES
DAILY INFORMATION FACT SHEET
(406) 254-9536
www.inciweb.org
DATE: Thursday, July 13, 2006, 7 a.m.
The Saunders fire is human-caused fire four miles west & southwest of Columbus, Mont., in Stillwater County. The Shane Ridge fire stared on July 12 from lightning five miles west of Joliet in Carbon County.
INCIDENT COMMANDER (for both fires): Tom Heintz, Lead Public Information Officer: Pat McKelvey
AGENCIES: Local volunteer fire departments, Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
CURRENT RESOURCES:
PERSONNEL: 370
ENGINES: 49
BULLDOZERS: 3
HELICOPTERS: 3
CURRENT SITUATION: The Saunders fire was quiet on Wednesday. There were some isolated smokes and some open flames in the fire’s interior. Good progress was made by firefighters on further cooling and building the fire line.
The Saunders fire is now 75% contained. The fire has burned 3150 acres of grass and trees near subdivisions. A front passed through the area on Wednesday between 5:45 and 6:30 p.m. with high winds, lightning, and rain. While the rain was intense, there wasn’t much soaking moisture. Two homes, an old homesteader cabin, and an unoccupied house have been burned down by the Saunders fire. Investigators reported that the fire is human caused, and investigations continue.
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.
A public meeting was held in Columbus that 64 people attended.
The Shane Ridge fire has about 125 firefighters from Fromberg, Columbus, Red Lodge, Joliet, and the Saunders fire have this 847-acre fire 40% contained.
ACTIONS PLANNED: Crews and engines on both fires will keep working on control lines. At the Saunders fire mop-up will be done within 200 feet of the perimeter and next to residences.
SPECIAL MESSAGE: In fire-prone areas, it’s vital for homeowners to reduce the amount of grass, needles, and trees that are close to homes. For ideas on making your home safe, go to www.firewise.org.
Fire-truck traffic will be heavy on many narrow roads in the area. Residents should drive with extra caution.
http://inciweb.org/incident/news/article/277/527/