Wye and Walker fires in northern California burning hot

Two fires burning east of Clearlake Oaks, California, are threatening homes and ranches and forcing evacuations. The Wye Fire, near the intersection of Highway 20 and Highway 53, was at 3,000 acres and about 25 percent containment. The Walker Fire, near Walker Ridge Road, is 30 percent contained at 2,000 acres after causing evacuations of 480 residents in the Spring Valley area. A Cal Fire spokesman told the Lake County News that both fires were very active this morning.

Wilbur Hot Springs and other areas in Lake County are popular summer destinations about two hours north of San Francisco.

NBC News reported that the smoke could be seen from Napa County from the south and Butte County from the north. The L.A. Times, which has several photos, reported that the fire was burning on both sides of Highway 20 and moving toward Spring Valley.

Crews were challenged by triple-digit temperatures, erratic winds, and low humidity; an incident command post has been set up at the Lake County Fairgrounds. California Highway Patrol closed Highway 20 east of Clearlake Oaks for a firing operation, but it should be re-opened this afternoon. Cal Fire said there were 324 personnel on the fire, along with 44 engines, eight crews, seven bulldozers, two airtankers, and four helicopters.

http://www.wilburhotsprings.com/index.htm

Lightning over Utah

Many areas of the Eastern Great Basin had lightning storms and passing rain showers yesterday; crews in southwestern and northern Utah were helped out a bit by light rainstorms. The Little Pine Fire, southwest of Enterprise on the Dixie National Forest, burned 2,100 acres and threatened about a dozen buildings. It’s burning in piñon-juniper, cheatgrass, and oak brush. A Type 3 team is assigned, and there’s currently zero containment.  Evacuations were in effect yesterday.

The Pinyon Fire this week evacuated dozens of homes in Eagle Mountain and threatened the town of Herriman. Today it’s still at 60 percent containment at 5,771 acres. Late last evening, 35 mph winds from a passing storm caused numerous flare-ups, but containment lines held. Engine crews worked through the night on hot spots and mop-up; today they’re focusing on securing lines and mopping up.

Firing operations along Tickville Road, Pinyon Fire near Herriman
Firing operations along Tickville Road, Pinyon Fire near Herriman

Gusty winds on Wednesday spread embers over the lines and more than doubled the size of the Pinyon Fire. It was about 60 percent contained yesterday, according to a report by the Salt Lake Tribune. Information Officer Kim Osborn said crews were mopping up as the fire continued creeping and smoldering. Fire managers were focused on keeping the fire away from a remote artillery training area on Utah National Guard property; hundreds of unexploded munitions are buried on the site.

On the DI Ranch Fire west of Utah Hill, gusty winds on Thursday shifted and pushed the fire from 75 percent containment back to about 50 percent. Last night it was back to 20 percent containment at 900 acres. The fire’s burning in brush and cheatgrass.

Idaho’s Minidoka Complex keeps scoopers busy

Beth Lund’s Type 1 team members and local officials met last night with community members at Howells Opera House in Oakley to discuss the Minidoka Complex. The Times-News reported that fielded questions included a discussion of restoring burned grazing allotments and the timeframe for lifting imposed evacuations.

Lund said the team is optimistic they can contain the fires within a couple days. She said the recent rains will help with suppression efforts. The Cave Canyon Fire, the largest in the complex, has grown by more than 34,000 acres in a day. She said it’s made repeated downhill runs at night.

Scott Nannenga with the Minidoka Ranger District told ranchers that burned grazing allotments will be rested, but that the fire’s effects will have longterm benefits. Other area officials told the crowd that plans are under way for post-fire rehab.

Lund said decisions are pending for the dates that evacuated residents can return to their homes. “We don’t want to let you back and then have to take you back out again,” she said.

The team reported last night that evacuations and extreme fire runs have prompted their requests for critical resources.

CL-215 on a run over Goose Creek Reservoir southwest of Oakley early afternoon on 08/11/2012.
One of Aero-Flite’s CL-215s on a run over Goose Creek Reservoir southwest of Oakley early afternoon on 08/11/2012. Photo © 2012 Jack Belk

Reservoirs both north and south of the fire were evaluated and approved for scooping runs by CL-215 aircraft, but that the lack of other ordered resources has resulted in fire growth in all directions. Containment objectives have been compromised by the lack of a Type 3 high performance helicopter.

CL-215 over Goose Creek Reservoir
One of Aero-Flite’s CL-215s on a run over Goose Creek Reservoir southwest of Oakley early afternoon on 08/11/2012. Photo © 2012 Jack Belk

The fires on the complex have burned with high intensity and have been extremely active, with running and torching in the conifer portions of the fires. Flamelengths have gone to 50 feet in some fuel types, with short-range spotting in all fuel types. Roads and natural barriers, fire managers said, can’t be relied upon to check the fire’s spread. The Cave Canyon Fire last night was at 80,012 acres, the Deer Hollow Fire was at 4,027 acres, the Eight Mile Fire was at 211 acres, and the Hot Well Fire was estimated at 8,056 acres.

Four CL-215s on the ramp at Kalispell 08/10/2012
Four CL-215s (two owned by Aero-Flite and two from the State of Minnesota operated by Aero-Flite) on the ramp 08/10 at Great Falls, Montana. The two Minnesota scoopers were headed for Moses Lake, and the Aero-Flite pair were en route to the Minidoka Complex. Photo © 2012 Tony Duprey

Halstead Fire grows to over 43,500 acres

The Halstead Complex is just 3 percent contained at more than 43,500 acres. It’s burning in a rugged area of the Salmon-Challis National Forest, with large expanses of beetle-killed trees. LocalNews8 reported that the fire in the Trail Creek area put up a large column of smoke visible from Stanley, and was spreading east toward the Valley Lakes area. Emergency crews evacuated the Bradley Memorial Boy Scout Camp, Lola Creek Campground, Lola Creek Spura A, Marsh Creek Trailhead, and Beaver Creek Campground.

Yesterday afternoon the Twin Falls County Sheriff announced that all access to the South Hills via Rock Creek Road or Indian Springs is closed, along with the Rockcreek Drainage east of Deadline Ridge. Access to Murtaugh Lake will be limited because aircraft are accessing the lake for suppression efforts. KMVT News reported that a weak trough passing to the north yesterday was expected to produce showers and dry thunderstorms, with warmer and drier weather over the weekend. KMVT.com has several good photos online from area residents.

A couple of new fires were reported on the Salmon-Challis; one was contained and the other, a half-acre fire on Sage Creek, had a Type 4 engine and crew from Salmon along with four rappellers assigned.

Helicopter crew on the Halstead Fire
Helicopter crew on the Halstead Fire

Crews are building control lines to protect the Boy Scout camp, private property, and the Highway 21 corridor. Fuels reduction work is under way near Loon Creek, and firefighters are assessing structure protection needs in the Bonanza and Yankee Fork areas.

The complex includes several fires; the Merino Fire is approximately 4 acres and burning in an old burn area on the ridge top near Indian Springs Guard Station. The Bench Fire is about 270 acres on the east side of Highway 21. The fire threw out several spot fires during the day and had a helicopter assigned. The Halstead Fire is moving toward Marsh Creek, with burning activity also in Valley Creek. The fire is still about 4 miles from Loon Creek.

Barry Point Fire evacuates Lakeview locals

A fire threatening homes in south-central Oregon has grown to 12,700 acres, with more hot dry weather in the forecast. The Barry Point Fire southwest of Lakeview headed for Drews Reservoir yesterday, prompting an evacuation notice for about 15 homes. Structure protection resources are staged in the evacuation area, and thus far no structures have been damaged or lost.

“It made a really big run,” said Renee Snyder with the incident management team. “Even down here in town, in Lakeview, it was pretty impressive.”

Engines on the Barry Point Fire - photo by Fred Way
Engines on the Barry Point Fire – photo by Fred Way

An AP story in the Bend Bulletin said that sheriff’s deputies told residents to evacuate; the Level 3 evacuation notice alerts people that “current conditions present specific and immediate threat to life and safety.”

A Forest Service campground was closed and a lookout tower was threatened. The forecast includes temperatures in the 90s, gusty winds, and single-digit humidity.  KOBI-TV reported that strong winds on Thursday caused the fire to nearly double in size.

A base camp has been established at the Lake County Fairgrounds with about 930 people assigned. The fire’s at 25 percent containment.

Idaho fires short on resources

Wildfires across south-central Idaho kept firefighters busy yesterday, and officials are worried about the Minidoka Complex in Cassia County. They say a lack of resources has set back their efforts at containing the fires.

KMTV News reported that two of the fires on the Minidoka Complex burned actively yesterday, pushing total acreage to over 49,000 acres. A Red Flag Warning is in effect today for thunderstorms and gusty winds.

45,000-acre Cave Canyon Fire, Minidoka Complex
45,000-acre Cave Canyon Fire, Minidoka Complex

The Cave Canyon Fire is now at 45,021 acres after it made a 6-mile run yesterday morning. A DC-10 airtanker made numerous drops on the north side of the fire, and crews are building dozer line on the west and north.
DC-10 drops on Idaho fireThe Deer Hollow Fire burned actively and grew to over 4,000 acres. About 275 people are assigned to the complex, including personnel from Oakley, Burley, and Rock Creek Fire Protection Districts. The complex includes the Cave Canyon, Deer Hollow, Hot Well and Eightmile fires;  the Eightmile is contained at 211 acres. An information meeting is scheduled for 6:30 this evening at Howell’s Opera House in Oakley; Great Basin Incident Management Team 1 is managing the complex.

Charlotte MAFFS return to the West

The North Carolina Air National Guard’s 145th Airlift Wing crews will return to firefighting missions in the West on Monday. They’re headed back to Idaho, nearly a month and a half after a tanker crash in South Dakota killed four of the unit’s members.

“We all feel it’s extremely important for our people to get back to this critical mission,” said Col. Roger Williams, 145th Airlift Wing Operations Group commander. “We will carry the memory of MAFFS 7 in our hearts as the wildland firefighting continues.”

Waldo Canyon Fire 06/27/12 ~ USAF photo by Staff Sgt. Stephany D. Richards
Waldo Canyon Fire 06/27/12 ~ USAF photo by Staff Sgt. Stephany D. Richards

WBTV News reported that the 145th will send two aircraft and 16 airmen to Boise, where they’ll start duties on Tuesday. One aircraft is MAFFS-equipped and the other will transport equipment and personnel. MAFFS 7 was assigned to the White Draw Fire on July 1 when it crashed, killing four crew members and severely injuring two others.  The Charlotte unit decided to retire the tanker’s tail number; they will operate MAFFS 8 for the upcoming assignment, and one of the California MAFFS tankers will return to its base for maintenance.

Russian helicopter down in Turkey

Five people including three Russian firefighters were killed in the crash of a firefighting helicopter in the Koycegiz district of the Turkish province of Mugla. Radio Free Europe reported that the Russian helicopter was operated on the fire by Turkish and Russian crew members.

Turkey’s Forestry and Water Ministry says the helicopter crashed as it was headed into a valley fighting a fire near the village of Karacam. The Turkish Weekly reported that the helicopter hit a mountain slope and rolled down into a ravine. “The Kamov Ka-32 helicopter belonged to the Nefteyugansk Air Group,” said a Rosaviatsia spokesman. “The helicopter flew seven forest firefighting missions in the area through the day.”

A report by the Anatolia News Agency said the crash occurred near Otmanlar Village; the Russian-made Ka-32T helicopter crashed near the Kepez fire tower.

There were no survivors. A team of rescue workers is attempting to reach the crash site.

National Wildlife Refuge in Texas closed by fires

Four fires on the McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge on the Gulf Coast of Texas have grown to 13,000 acres in the last few days. It’s prompted officials to close the wildlife refuge to the public.

McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge burnout
McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge burnout

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel said today that the fires on the refuge were ignited by lightning — the first on July 14. A series of lightning storms has since passed through, torching off more fies. Park Ranger Tami Schutter said they decided to close the refuge yesterday.

Jim Stockie, the FMO on the refuge, told the Associated Press that they’ve had a tremendous amount of lightning across the 68,000-acre refuge for the last three weeks. He said the latest fire grew to over 4,000 acres.  About 15 firefighters from the wildlife agency and National Park Service are assigned.

Fire near San Diego

A fire near Warner Springs in San Diego County has grown to over 900 acres.

KXO Radio reported that the Chihuahua Fire was estimated at 5 percent containment this morning, with mandatory evacuations in effect for residents of the Chihuahua Valley Road area. Resources assigned include 15 engines and 12 crews, along with three airtankers and six helicopters.

AP reports said the fire was ignited by lightning on Thursday, when thunderstorms rolled through the region with heavy rain and hail.