French Fire Update – September 4, 2021

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

French Fire Update – September 4, 2021 Fire Information: 760-515-7922 (8am to 8pm) Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7813/ French Fire Update – September 4, 2021 Acreage: 25,895 Containment: 43% Total Personnel: 1,016 The French Fire started on Wednesday, August 18, west of Lake Isabella in Kern County, has now burned 25,895 acres with 43 percent containment. A National Incident Management Team (NIMO) is managing the fire, integrated with Great Basin IMT 6, and coordinating closely with the Bureau of Land Management, Sequoia National Forest, and Kern County Fire Department in Unified Command. ● Smoke will be more visible today as burnout operations continue from Cedar Creek to Basket Pass Road to improve the effectiveness of the fireline. Crews continue to evaluate options to go direct on the fire’s edge if safe to do so. ● On the north side of the fire, crews continue to mop up along the fires edge and improve line. Crews are seeking out and eliminating any remaining heat sources that could threaten the line. The Structure Group is patrolling and mopping up around infrastructure within the fire’s interior, including Alta Sierra, Shirley Meadows, the Shirley Peak communication hub, and the Southern California Edison 66kV sub-transmission lines north of Hwy 155. These crews are also cutting down unsafe (hazard) trees. ● On the south side of the fire, crews are mopping up and securing the containment line along Basket Pass Road from north of Basket Pass to Evans Meadow. Crews are working on improving contingency lines in the area. ● The east side of the fire is looking very good. Crews will continue to mop up and patrol and look for any heat that could threaten the line. ● Today will be slightly warmer with relative humidity in the teens and recovery at night will be poor. The winds will be light, 5-10 mph with gusts to 20 mph, and terrain driven. These conditions will continue through Monday. ● We have been asked by the communities how they can help the firefighters. The firefighters are well taken care of. If you would like to help, consider making donations to the Red Cross or your local food bank. We would like to thank everyone for their generosity. Public and Firefighter Safety Please be cautious of surrounding activities and potential hazards in and around the fire area; fire resources will be active in the area. For information on returning home after the fire, visit Ready for Wildfire. Road Closures: Hwy 155 to western Sequoia National Forest boundary. Sawmill Road at the top of Sawmill Pass. Old State Road at Dollar Road in Wofford Heights. 24S15 at Kern/Tulare County Line. Roads west of Pala Ranches and all roads under the evacuation Order remain closed to the public. Fire Closures: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has a temporary closure for the Keysville Special Recreation Management Area to all public access due to wildland fire danger. Closure Order of All USDA Region 5 National Forests in California: On Monday August 30, Regional Order 21-07 was issued, closing all National Forest lands in California to protect visitors, mountain communities, staff, and firefighters. Fire Restrictions: Public lands managed by the Sequoia National Forest and the BLM Bakersfield Field Office are under fire restrictions. The use of propane stoves with an on/off switch is permitted, but campfires are not allowed. Evacuation Information For more information and to sign up for emergency notifications, visit ReadyKern. You can search your address in the French Fire Interactive Evacuation Map posted at https://bit.ly/38jmW6S. Este es un mensaje de la seguridad. Para espanol, llame a 2-1-1. Gracias. Fire Department staff, vehicles, and equipment remain in the area. Residents should exercise appropriate caution around them. Residents should remain alert, aware of their surroundings, and prepared to respond appropriately during emergencies. You are encouraged to take action immediately if you feel threatened, even if you have not received another ReadyKern message. An Evacuation Order is a lawful order to leave now and seek shelter away from fire area. The area is lawfully closed to public access. An Evacuation Order will likely be the last order given. Evacuation Orders remain in effect for the following communities: Keysville, Shirley Meadows, Alta Sierra, Slick Rock, Wagy Flats, Black Gulch, and the area around Fulton Peak south of Windmill Tree Peak (the ranch land area). No Evacuation Warnings remain in effect. There will be no escorts provided by Law Enforcement, Fire Personnel, or Forest Personnel. Evacuation Center: ● Woodrow Wallace Elementary School, 3240 Erskine Creek Road, Lake Isabella. Animal Services will assist with sheltering companion animals at the center. If you have physical limitations and require evacuation assistance, please call the Aging & Adult Services hotline at 1- 855-264-6565. If you have an emergency, call 911. If you have any questions about the content of this message, please contact Kern County Information and Referral Services at 2-1-1. Thank you. ### .
Recommended publications
  • Southern California Fires
    Lassen & Plumas National Forests Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Post-Fire BAER Assessment August 27, 2021 BAER Information: (707) 853-4243 PHASE 1--DIXIE POST-FIRE BAER SOIL BURN SEVERITY MAP RELEASED Due to the large size and continual active burning of the Dixie Fire, the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team divided the burned area into two phases for their assessment and analysis. BAER specialists recently completed their data gathering and analysis for Phase 1 of the Dixie burned area to produce a Phase 1 soil burn severity (SBS) map on August 25—analyzing 365,678 acres. The map and the data display SBS categories of unburned/very low, low, moderate, and high. Approximately 43% of the 365,678 acres are either unburned/very low and/or low soil burn severity, while 52% sustained a moderate soil burn severity and only about 5% identified as high soil burn severity. The SBS map also shows the acreage for each of the landowners for the 365,678 acres in the Phase 1 assessment to be: 176,460 acres for the Plumas National Forest; 93,466 acres for the Lassen National Forest; 94,648 acres of private/unknown lands; 889 acres for the State of California-Department of Fish and Game; 98 acres for the USDI Bureau of Land Management; 67 acres for the USDI Bureau of Indian Affairs; and 50 acres for the State of California-Lands Commission. The low category of soil burn severity indicate that there was only partial consumption of fine fuels and litter coverage remains relatively intact on the soil surface.
    [Show full text]
  • French Fire Update – September 5, 2021
    Fire Information: 760-515-7922 (8am to 8pm) Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7813/ French Fire Update – September 5, 2021 Acreage: 26,493 Containment: 52% Total Personnel: 1,112 The French Fire started on Wednesday, August 18, west of Lake Isabella in Kern County, and has now burned 26,493 acres with 52 percent containment. A National Incident Management Team (NIMO) is managing the fire, integrated with Great Basin IMT 6 and coordinating closely with the Bureau of Land Management, Sequoia National Forest, and Kern County Fire Department in Unified Command. ● Smoke may be visible today as crews work to complete burnout operations in the Cedar Creek and Alder Creek area using a combination of ground and aerial resources. Crews are constructing direct handline north of Red Mountain from Bear Creek to Alder Creek. ● On the north side of the fire, crews continue to mop up, seeking out and eliminating any remaining heat sources that could threaten the line. ● The Structure Group is patrolling and mopping up around infrastructure within the fire’s interior, including Alta Sierra, Shirley Meadows, the Shirley Peak communication hub, and the Southern California Edison 66kV sub-transmission lines north of Hwy 155. These crews are also cutting down unsafe (hazard) trees and preparing the areas for residents to return. ● Crews are successfully mopping up to the north from Basket Pass to Evans Meadow which allowed for an increase in containment in this area. ● The east side of the fire is looking very good. Crews will continue to mop up and patrol. ● Very dry conditions predicted into next week.
    [Show full text]
  • SQF Complex Incident Update Date: 10/8/2020
    SQF Complex Incident Update Date: 10/8/2020 SQF Complex Contact Information Information Line: (559) 697-5148, 8 AM-8 PM Website: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7048/ Email: [email protected] @sequoiaforest @sequoiakingsnps @inyo_nf Incident Information: Start / Report Date: 8/19/20 Size: 162,952 acres Containment: 65 % Cause: Lightning Location: 25 miles N of Injuries: 17 Structures Destroyed: 228 Kernville, CA Resources: Helicopters: 8 Engines: 51 Hand Crews: 18 Water Tenders: 11 Total Personnel: 749 Dozers: 21 Current Situation: The uncontained fire’s edge to the north continues to burn actively. Heavy vegetation, snags, and steep terrain make it difficult to access the fires edge. Threats to infrastructure on Case Mountain, the Hockett Ranger Station, Peck’s Cabin, Buffalo Cabin, several sequoia groves and wilderness values within Sequoia National Park continue. Hockett Meadow ranger station and other structures in South Fork are being prepped for fire protection wrap. Crews are working to stop the fire from spreading and will focus on securing the perimeter and building contingency line along Mineral King Road to Case Mountain. As the temperatures start to cool and the smoke begins to clear, fire activity is expected to increase. The potential for smoke columns starting to form near Homers Nose may be seen in the South Fork and Three Rivers areas. With clear visibility, there will be an increased use of aircraft and helicopters to focus on dropping water and fire retardant in the areas most at risk. Tulare County Sheriff’s Office has issued an evacuation order on October 6 for everything south of the intersection of the Cinnamon Canyon Road and South Fork Drive, including Cinnamon Canyon.
    [Show full text]
  • Southern California Fires
    Cleveland National Forest Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Post-Fire BAER Assessment September 22, 2020 BAER Information: (707) 853-4243 PREPARING FOR RAINSTORMS While many wildfires cause minimal damage to the land and pose few threats to the land or people downstream, some fires cause damage that requires special efforts to prevent problems afterwards. Wildfire increases the potential for flooding, post-fire soil erosion and debris flows that could impact homes, structures, campgrounds, aquatic dependent plants and animals, roads, and other infrastructure within, adjacent to, and downstream from the burned area. Post-fire watershed conditions will naturally receive and transport water and sediment differently than during pre-fire conditions. Monsoonal storms bring heavy rain and rapid runoff from burned areas. Residents and visitors should remain alert to weather events and plan ahead when travelling along roads and trails within and downstream from the burned areas on the Cleveland National Forest (NF). The Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team working with the Cleveland NF to assess post fire conditions of the watersheds on federal land that were burned in the Valley Fire. The BAER assessment team identifies potential emergency threats to critical values-at-risk and recommends emergency stabilization response actions that are implemented on federal lands to reduce potential threats. For values and resources potentially impacted off National Forest System lands, one of the most effective BAER strategies is its interagency coordination with local cooperators who assist affected businesses, homes, and landowners prepare for rain events. The Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) work together and coordinate with other federal, state, and local agencies, and counties that assist private landowners in preparing for increased run-off and potential flooding.
    [Show full text]
  • Twenty-First Century California, USA, Wildfires: Fuel-Dominated Vs. Wind- Dominated Fires Jon E
    Keeley and Syphard Fire Ecology (2019) 15:24 Fire Ecology https://doi.org/10.1186/s42408-019-0041-0 FORUM Open Access Twenty-first century California, USA, wildfires: fuel-dominated vs. wind- dominated fires Jon E. Keeley1,2* and Alexandra D. Syphard3 Abstract Since the beginning of the twenty-first century California, USA, has experienced a substantial increase in the frequency of large wildfires, often with extreme impacts on people and property. Due to the size of the state, it is not surprising that the factors driving these changes differ across this region. Although there are always multiple factors driving wildfire behavior, we believe a helpful model for understanding fires in the state is to frame the discussion in terms of bottom-up vs. top-down controls on fire behavior; that is, fires that are clearly dominated by anomalously high fuel loads from those dominated by extreme wind events. Of course, this distinction is somewhat artificial in that all fires are controlled by multiple factors involving fuels, winds, and topography. However, we believe that fires clearly recognizable as fuel-dominated vs. wind-dominated provide interesting case studies of factors behind these two extremes. These two types of fires differ greatly in their (1) geographical distribution in the state, (2) past fire history, (3) prominent sources of ignition, (4) seasonal timing, (5) resources most at risk, and (6) requirement for different management responses. Keywords: fire prevention, fire suppression, fuel loads, house protection, land planning, North Winds, population growth, Santa Ana Winds, silvicultural practices Resumen Desde comienzos del siglo veinte, California, EEUU, ha experimentado un incremento substancial en la frecuencia de grandes incendios, frecuentemente con grandes impactos en la gente y en las propiedades.
    [Show full text]
  • Ice Fire October 21St Morning Update
    United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service San Juan National Forest 15 Burnett Court News Release Durango, CO 81301 Media Contacts: (970)247-4874 Andy Lyon www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan/ [email protected] (970) 426-5491 Esther Godson [email protected] (970) 422-2671 Ice Fire October 21st Morning Update Silverton, Colo., October 21, 2020 – Firefighters plan to “go direct” along a portion of the fire’s edge today to try and gain further control of the Ice Fire. “Going direct” means extinguishing the fire at its active edge, rather than waiting for it to reach an established control feature like a road. However other parts of the fire are in steep, difficult terrain and crews plan to use helicopters dropping water, to slow the fire’s spread in those areas. One objective is to keep it from spreading toward US Highway 550 and another is to keep it north of the South Fork Mineral Creek Road. The fire’s size was estimated at 508 acres last night and is 15% contained. The fire is in the South Mineral Creek drainage, about five miles west of Silverton. The cause of the fire is unknown and under investigation. A virtual community meeting on the fire will be presented tonight at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom conference. The Zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88637487127 and the dial-in # is: 669-900-6833. The Webinar ID is: 886 3748 7127. A forest area closure is in effect for the area of the fire on the San Juan National Forest.
    [Show full text]
  • Grant County Risk Assessment Summary
    Section 3: Grant County Risk Assessment Summary The foundation of the Northeast Oregon Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan is the risk assessment. Risk assessments provide information about the areas where the hazards may occur, the value of existing land and property in those areas, and an analysis of the potential risk to life, property, and the environment that may result from natural hazard events. This section identifies and profiles the location, extent, previous occurrences, and future probability of natural hazards that can impact the community, as highlighted in Figure 3.1 below. The information in this section was paired with the information in Appendix G – Community Profiles during the planning process in order to identify issues and develop actions aimed at reducing the community’s overall risk, or the area of overlap in the figure below. Figure 3.1. Understanding Risk Source: Oregon Natural Hazards Workgroup, 2006 This section addresses local level information and risks the community faces. In addition to local data, the information here relies upon the Regional Risk Assessment in the State Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. Additionally, detailed risk assessment information on existing policies, programs and reports for each hazard are included in the individual hazard annexes located at the end of the plan. Northeast Oregon Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Page 3-1 What is a Risk Assessment? A risk assessment consists of three phases: hazard identification, vulnerability assessment, and risk analysis, as illustrated in the following graphic. Source: Planning for Natural Hazards: Oregon Technical Resource Guide The first phase, hazard identification, involves identification of the geographic extent of a hazard, its intensity, and its probability of occurrence.
    [Show full text]
  • Emergency Watershed Protection Program
    United States Department of Agriculture Emergency Watershed Protection Program Implementing emergency recovery measures to relieve imminent hazards to life or property created by a natural disaster. United States Department of Agriculture USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. February 2020 The program can include purchasing floodplain easements. These easements restore, protect, maintain, and enhance the functions and values of the floodplain, including associated wetlands and Tornado Devastation riparian areas. They also conserve natural values including fish and wildlife habitat, The EWP Program is a recovery effort water quality, flood water retention Before After aimed at relieving imminent hazards and ground water recharge, as well as to life and property caused by floods, safeguard lives and property from floods, fires, windstorms, and other natural drought, and the results of erosion. disasters. All projects undertaken, Sponsor’s Obligations Disaster The U.S. Department of except for the purchase of floodplain EWP work is not limited to any one set of Sponsors are responsible for: prescribed measures. NRCS completes a Assistance Agriculture’s Natural easements, must have a project sponsor. NRCS may bear up to 75 percent of the Damage Survey Report which provides • providing land rights to implement repair work, Programs and Resources Conservation eligible construction cost of emergency a site-by-site investigation of the work • securing all necessary permits, services available necessary to repair or protect a site Service (NRCS) administers measures (90 percent within limited- • furnishing the local cost share, through the the Emergency Watershed resource areas as identified by the U.S. and protect life and property.
    [Show full text]
  • Castle Fire Update for Oct. 7,2020
    SQF Complex Incident Update Date: 10/7/2020 SQF Complex Contact Information Information Line: (559) 697-5148, 8 AM-8 PM Website: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7048/ Email: [email protected] @sequoiaforest @sequoiakingsnps @inyo_nf Incident Information: Start / Report Date: 8/19/20 Size: 160,908 acres Containment: 65 % Cause: Lightning Location: 25 miles N of Injuries: 17 Structures Destroyed: 228 Kernville, CA Resources: Helicopters: 8 Engines: 51 Hand Crews: 21 Water Tenders: 17 Total Personnel: 853 Dozers: 8 Current Situation: The fire is active in the northwest area near Cedar and Squaw Creek and has spread to Homers Nose moving east toward the Hockett Meadow area. Threats to infrastructure on Case Mountain, the Hockett Ranger Station, several sequoia groves and wilderness values with Sequoia National Park continue. Hockett Meadow ranger station and structures in South Fork are being prepped to be wrapped in fire protection wrap. Crews are working to stop the fire from spreading and will focus on securing the perimeter and building contingency line along Mineral King Road to Case Mountain. As the temperatures start to cool and the smoke begins to clear, fire activity is expected to increase. The potential for smoke columns starting to form near Homers Nose may be seen in the South Fork and Three Rivers areas. With clear visibility, there will be an increased use of aircraft and helicopters to focus on dropping water and fire retardant in the areas most at risk. Tulare County Sherrif’s Office has issued an evacuation order on October 6 for everything south of the intersection of the Cinnamon Canyon Road and South Fork Drive, including Cinnamon Canyon.
    [Show full text]
  • Wildfire-Associated Landslide Emergency Response Team Report
    WILDFIRE-ASSOCIATED LANDSLIDE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM REPORT RESOURCES Red Apple Fire Burch Mountain, Chelan County, Washington by Trevor Contreras and Emilie Richard NATURAL WASHINGTON GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WALERT Report August 11, 2021 WILDFIRE-ASSOCIATED LANDSLIDE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM REPORT RED APPLE FIRE Burch Mountain, Chelan County, Washington by Trevor Contreras and Emilie Richard WASHINGTON GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WALERT Report August 11, 2021 DISCLAIMER Neither the State of Washington, nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the State of Washington or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the State of Washington or any agency thereof. WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Hilary S. Franz—Commissioner of Public Lands WASHINGTON GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Casey R. Hanell—State Geologist Jessica L. Czajkowski—Assistant State Geologist Ana Shafer—Assistant State Geologist WASHINGTON GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Mailing Address: Street Address: MS 47007 Natural Resources Bldg, Rm 148
    [Show full text]
  • Fire Management Today Is Published by the Forest Service of the U.S
    Fire today ManagementVolume 73 • No. 1 • 2013 THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Fire Management Today is published by the Forest Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC. The Secretary of Agriculture has determined that the publication of this periodical is necessary in the transaction of the public business required by law of this Department. Fire Management Today is for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, at: Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: 202-512-1800 Fax: 202-512-2250 Mail: Stop SSOP, Washington, DC 20402-0001 Fire Management Today is available on the World Wide Web at <http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/fmt/index.html>. Tom Vilsack, Secretary Melissa Frey U.S. Department of Agriculture General Manager Thomas L. Tidwell, Chief Mary A. Carr, EMC Publishing Arts Forest Service Editor Tom Harbour, Director Fire and Aviation Management The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audio­ tape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimi­ nation, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C.
    [Show full text]
  • News Release Title
    United States Department of Agriculture USDA Forest Service Beckwourth Complex Fire Information: 530-330-5650 Pacific Southwest Region Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas Plumas National Forest InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7601/ 159 Lawrence Street Email: [email protected] Quincy, CA 95971 (530) 283-2050 http://www.fs.usda.gov/plumas Beckwourth Complex Update: July 18, 2021 Percent Total Overall Beckwourth Complex Acres Total Personnel Containment Acreage containment Dotta 594 99% 105,348 73% 2,044 Sugar 104,754 73% Resources: 46 crews, 137 engines, 9 helicopters, 35 dozers, 60 water tenders, 6 masticators Community Meeting: A virtual community meeting will be held tonight at 7 p.m., via Facebook Live, on the Plumas National Forest’s Facebook page. You can submit your questions beforehand to the incident email address (above) or on the Facebook meeting event page. Current Situation: At 6 a.m. today, California Interagency Incident Management Team 5, under the leadership of Incident Commander Rick Young, assumed command of the Beckwourth Complex. The Sugar Fire within the Beckwourth Complex is remaining within its present parameter of over 60 miles of containment lines. Firefighters continue to secure and patrol the fire area from Highway 395, northeast from Doyle to Bird Hill and south to Meadow View. Crews are monitoring smoldering, smoking pockets of vegetation within the fire’s perimeter. A red-flag warning is in effect from midnight tonight through 8 p.m. on Monday. Containment lines from the Dixie Mountain ridge system, south to Ramelli Creek and from Maddalena, east to the Scott Road, north to Constantia and the community of Doyle are still holding.
    [Show full text]