RIM FIRE UPDATE: Monday, Sept 9th, 7.25 a.m. + Twain Harte Mtg. notes (Sept 8th, 6 pm)

September 09, 2013    07:25 am   B.J. Hansen, MML News Director 

 

Tuolumne County, CA -- This morning the Rim Fire is estimated to be 80% contained and 253,332 acres.

Last night crews carried out a small planned burnout operation near Hetch-Hetchy in order to secure the fire perimeter and protect structures. Numerous spot fires were detected outside the existing containment lines, and the largest in that area was about a quarter-acre.

Today officials will continue to look for spot fires that jumped containment lines. Over the weekend there were some spot fires near the Highway 108 corridor, but all were contained with resources on scene. The largest was a four acre fire near Long Barn. There are no evacuation advisories in that region.

Weather will remain a concern again today with hot temperatures and low fuel moisture.

The Incident Command reports that nearly 1,900 structures are still considered threatened. Highway 120 is back open between Groveland and Yosemite National Park. Tioga Pass is closed from Crane Flat to White Wolf.

* * * * *

I attended the Community Meeting in Twain Harte last night.  Getting 'acquainted' with Jerry McGowan, Incident Commander as of last Wednesday, was quite a treat.  He doesn't seem to hold a lot back and pretty much tells it like it is.  The Q/A session was "interesting" with comments (and frustrations) from ranchers, local residents, and some very disgruntled folk.  AND some very ill-informed folk.  They must not be reading this blog to be kept up to date!  :)

It was hard to take notes but here are a few that made some sense as I reread them:

• There was a great 4' x 6' map on the wall in the Eproson Park amphitheater.  Easy to see.

• Speakers: Susan Skalsky (spelling?) from the Forest Service--very knowledgeable and Jerry McGowan, new incident commander
• The fire has been pumping up lots of smoke in the last few days, mostly due to back burning in the 'donut hole' area somewhat below Long Barn.  (Check the map above---it's that bubble on the top/North side of the map, toward the center, away from the containment black line.)  The fire is NOT SPREADING.  These burns are specific and controlled.
• Fire crews have been using local wisdom re roads, forest roads, local 'intelligence', etc.
• Dozer, masticators and hand brews are working around Long Barn area.
•  Two teams have arrived to begin looking at post-fire recovery
• Third Area Recovery: Todd Ellsworth
• BAER Team: Chris Holback
• Teams are working hard in the Tioga Road (Hwy 120) area which is a priority.
• Dozers are not allowed to work within the national park which is why hand crews are working there.
• accidents/injuries are occurring due to fire fighters stepping into unseen burned out stump holes
• Many trees are left standing within the perimeters of the fire.
• 12 helicopters are sitting on deck waiting for conditions to be safe for them to operate.  Heavy smoke does not equal safety for them!
• Drone is out of service now---it has done it's job
• Why weren't helicopters used at the beginning of the fire?  Availability is one reason---they were being used on other fires within the state.  As our priority grew they became available.
• Is the burned timber salvageable?  Teams will salvage where it makes sense.  This will take months to determine.  There are (or will be) Forestry personnel who will be checking this out.
• Forest (Mi Wuk Ranger District south of hwy 108 and all of Groveland Ranger District will remain closed to public for many months to come.  Many dangers from weakened trees as well as fire crews will still be on site.  This will hurt those who go into the forest to gather wood for sale to individual home owners.  To reinforce: individuals won’t be able to go into forest and gather wood.
• BAER: Burned Area Emergency Response Team:  Todd Ellsworth
• most of this team will begin showing up on Monday (today)
• they will evaluate risks to life safety and to property
• will evaluate impact on cultural resources
• team will utilize members of the Mi Wuk Tribe to point out cultural sites
• question posed:  how to keep manzanita out of burned area???  It is a native plant so that will be difficult.
• RE: retardant.  McGowan's instructions will be to keep drops 300 ft away from waterways.  Not certain of all contents of retardant.
• Will we be 'looking forward to mud slides' when the rains come?  Probably.  BAER Teams will be working toward that issue.  Crews are already in forest, along dozer lines, creating berms to direct rain water run off.
• QUESTION FROM UNINFORMED AUDIENCE MEMBER:  What was the reason for excessive growth of fire?  Lack of response?  Mismanagement of forest?  Neither one.  This question raised a huge negative stir from other audience members.

End of notes.  The meeting, although informative, was not nearly as structured as those held here in Mi Wuk during the first two weeks of the fire.  Sound/hearing was difficult, answers were glossed over, speech was rapid.  But it was good to have been there.   The Q/A period was 2/3 of the meeting.  Some questioners were way out of line, some were concerned, the ranchers were heartbreaking although we couldn't hear their comments very well and they really weren't questions or comments that would have a satisfactory response.  One questioner (maybe not quite sober or clean) doubted the veracity of Forest Service when they said the fire source was most likely a hunter.........was the hunter dropped in by helicopter (seriously asked)?; had to have been pot farm poachers.  End of that question after Susan Skalsky (Forest Service) did reply as best she could.

Stay tuned.  There will be more.  Be safe, be alert, be courteous.