August 22, 2013 07:20 am B.J. Hansen, MML News Director
Groveland, CA -- The Rim Fire in the Stanislaus National Forest is now 53,866 acres and is two percent contained.
"The Rim Fire has transitioned into a unified command with CAL Fire, and the fire continues into an eastward spread," says Jerry Snyder, Forest Service Spokesperson. "Structure defense continues for Pine Mountain Lake, San Jose Camp, Spinning Wheel and Tawonga Camp."
The Sheriff's Office continues to advise that the residents in Pine Mountain Lake stay away from their homes until further notice. The Cherry Lake Campground was also evacuated last night. An evacuation center is open at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds.
Snyder expects suppression efforts to improve today with the DC-10 and military type aircraft at the incident commands disposal. Officials are transitioning from a Level Two incident to Level One, which allows for access to more personnel and fire resources.
According to Snyder, the fire continues to spread northwest burning past Butcher Knife Ridge and moving into Grapevine Creek; northeast up the Tuolumne River Drainage from the Gravel Range past Jones Point Lookout; and continue to spread southeast edge along Hwy 120 to the east.
Firing operations have begun on Ferretti Rd. as the fire progress west towards the community of Pine Mountain Lake. Direct suppression methods have been successful.
In the next 24 hours the fire is expected to continue up the Tuolumne River canyon, and continue its spread to the north and east.
Groveland, CA -- The top of line is here to help battle the Rim Fire according to the Forest Spokesperson Jerry Snyder. Members of the Type One Incident Fire Team have arrived.
"The best of the best are on these type teams. Usually the complexity of the fires are at such a high degree that it takes lots of skill and lots of resources to extinguish those fires," says Snyder. The team is scheduled to shadow the current teams on Friday and then take over command of the fire on Saturday.
The fire is sitting at just over 16,000 acres and 5% contained. Fire Officials report today the flames spread in all areas except the southwest region near Hwy 120. The Fire continues to spot over Ferretti Road as the fire progressed west towards the community of Pine Mountain Lake. Also, flames burned over Cherry Lake Road and past the Incident Command Post this afternoon.
Aircraft dumped retardant over Camp Tawonga forcing the fire to burn around the camp. Fire Officials say the use of Maffs C-130s and the V-LAT DC-10 has greatly improved suppression efforts along with Military Rotary wing aircraft.
The number of Firefighters on scene has grown to 1080. The cost to battle the blaze has grown to $2.8 Million. There are still some 2,500 structures threatened. Resources include: Hand crews 15, Engines 30, Helicopters 7, Water Tenders 17, and Dozers 19.
Snyder warns, "I think the community had best be on alert for the entire time this fire is burning because it is very erratic. The fact that we have the best possible resources coming in now bodes well for us getting this fire out before it does serious damage to homes property and natural resources."
Smoke is thick and heavy in the air this morning. Again. But it clears out by the later afternoon. I would recommend closing your windows at night since that's when the smoke seems to be settling back in and then running an air conditioner, if you have one, during the day. Stay inside if possible. No outdoor exercise is advised.
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Red Cross Shelter at fairgrounds
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Jordan Scott, American Red Cross spokesperson, was Thursday's KVML "Newsmaker of the Day".
According to Scott, there is room for over one thousand people at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds. Currently the only building that is being used for evacuees at the fairgrounds is the Manzanita Building. Other buildings will open if needed.
Scott says that although every situation is different, typically only around ten percent of those who are forced to evacuate from an area will take advantage of an evacuation center. Those who do check into the Mother Lode Fairgrounds will find meals, beds, facilities to shower and some assistance.
The general public is asked to make monetary donations at http://www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Scott asks that no one show up at the fairgrounds with donations of food, clothes or bedding. Only donations of money will be accepted over the phone or through the website.
Also if anyone would like to volunteer, they may call the Red Cross. According to Scott, the public is asked to please not show up at the fairgrounds looking to volunteer.
Be safe!
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