Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Monday, September 9, 2013
RIM FIRE UPDATE: Monday, Sept 9th, 7.25 a.m. + Twain Harte Mtg. notes (Sept 8th, 6 pm)
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:
Stay tuned. There will be more. Be safe, be alert, be courteous.
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.
Stay tuned. There will be more. Be safe, be alert, be courteous.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
RIM FIRE UPDATE, Sept 8th, 8:09 p.m. and INCIWEB.ORG, 7.30 p.m.-ish
Tuolumne County, CA -- The Rim fire remains 396 square miles or
253,332 acres and is still 80% contained. The number of firefighters on
the scene has dropped to 3,104. The number of injuries has jumped to 9,
but Fire Officials say all have been minor. The cost has shot up to
$96.2 million dollars. Also, the number of structures threatened has
decreased to 1,900.
Incident Command reports shifting winds and dry conditions could spark spot fires overnight. Here is the I.C.'s plan of attack for tonight.
Firefighters will face continued warm and extremely dry night time conditions. Shifting winds coupled with low fuel moistures may lead to active fire behavior. Pockets of fuel within the fire perimeter will continue to burn, creating a potential for spot fires outside containment lines.
Tonight's top priorities are to contain the spot fires along Tioga Road, structure protection at Hetch Hetchy, and patrol of the contained new fire start at Long Barn. Firefighters will patrol, mop up and monitor lines while maintaining structure defense.
* * * * *
FROM INCIWEB.ORG
Fire Update
Firefighters will face continued warm and extremely dry night time conditions. Shifting winds coupled with low fuel moistures may lead to active fire behavior. Pockets of fuel within the fire perimeter will continue to burn creating a potential for spot fires outside containment lines. Tonight’s top priorities are to contain the spot fires along Tioga Road structure protection at Hetch Hetchy and patrol of the contained new fire start at Long Barn. Firefighters will patrol mop up and monitor lines while maintaining structure defense.
A Community Meeting was held this evening at 6:00 PM in the Twain Harte Park. Fire officials briefed attendees on the status of the fire and answered questions.
Park and Forest Closures
Yosemite National Park has closed Tamarack Flat and Yosemite Creek Campgrounds both located along Tioga Road. White Wolf Campground and White Wolf Lodge remain closed. The Stanislaus National Forest has issued an area closure for the entire Groveland Ranger District and for the Mi-Wok Ranger District east of State Route 108. Additional details are available from the Stanislaus Forest Supervisor's Office 209-532-3671; Mi-Wok Ranger Station (209) 586-3234; Summit Ranger Station 209-965-3434; and Groveland Ranger Station 209-962-7825.
Road Closures
State Route 120 is now open from Groveland to Yosemite Valley. State Route 120 (Tioga Road) remains closed from Crane Flat to 1 ½ miles east of White Wolf. Park visitors can access Tuolumne Meadows from SR-395 via the park entrance at Tioga Pass. Cherry Lake Road is closed at State Route 120. Evergreen Road Old Yosemite Road and Hardin Flat Road are also closed.
Evacuations and Advisories
No mandatory or advisory evacuation orders are in effect in Mariposa or Tuolumne Counties but some secondary roads remain closed to non-residents within the fire area.
For more information or if you have questions please contact the Rim Fire at 805-727-4775 or 805-727-4746. If you have questions about Yosemite National Park call 209-372-0327 or 209-372-0329. All media are requested to report to the Incident Command Post to check in with Public Information Officers.
Incident Command reports shifting winds and dry conditions could spark spot fires overnight. Here is the I.C.'s plan of attack for tonight.
Firefighters will face continued warm and extremely dry night time conditions. Shifting winds coupled with low fuel moistures may lead to active fire behavior. Pockets of fuel within the fire perimeter will continue to burn, creating a potential for spot fires outside containment lines.
Tonight's top priorities are to contain the spot fires along Tioga Road, structure protection at Hetch Hetchy, and patrol of the contained new fire start at Long Barn. Firefighters will patrol, mop up and monitor lines while maintaining structure defense.
* * * * *
FROM INCIWEB.ORG
INCIDENT UPDATED 1:59 HRS. AGO
Approximate Location
37.857 latitude, -120.086 longitude
Incident Overview
For more real-time information please visit http://RimFireInfo.BlogSpot.com https://twitter.com/info_ciimt1 or http://tinyurl.com/k5th863.
Firefighters will face continued warm and extremely dry night time conditions. Shifting winds coupled with low fuel moistures may lead to active fire behavior. Pockets of fuel within the fire perimeter will continue to burn creating a potential for spot fires outside containment lines. Tonight’s top priorities are to contain the spot fires along Tioga Road structure protection at Hetch Hetchy and patrol of the contained new fire start at Long Barn. Firefighters will patrol mop up and monitor lines while maintaining structure defense.
A Community Meeting was held this evening at 6:00 PM in the Twain Harte Park. Fire officials briefed attendees on the status of the fire and answered questions.
Park and Forest Closures
Yosemite National Park has closed Tamarack Flat and Yosemite Creek Campgrounds both located along Tioga Road. White Wolf Campground and White Wolf Lodge remain closed. The Stanislaus National Forest has issued an area closure for the entire Groveland Ranger District and for the Mi-Wok Ranger District east of State Route 108. Additional details are available from the Stanislaus Forest Supervisor's Office 209-532-3671; Mi-Wok Ranger Station (209) 586-3234; Summit Ranger Station 209-965-3434; and Groveland Ranger Station 209-962-7825.
Road Closures
State Route 120 is now open from Groveland to Yosemite Valley. State Route 120 (Tioga Road) remains closed from Crane Flat to 1 ½ miles east of White Wolf. Park visitors can access Tuolumne Meadows from SR-395 via the park entrance at Tioga Pass. Cherry Lake Road is closed at State Route 120. Evergreen Road Old Yosemite Road and Hardin Flat Road are also closed.
Evacuations and Advisories
No mandatory or advisory evacuation orders are in effect in Mariposa or Tuolumne Counties but some secondary roads remain closed to non-residents within the fire area.
For more information or if you have questions please contact the Rim Fire at 805-727-4775 or 805-727-4746. If you have questions about Yosemite National Park call 209-372-0327 or 209-372-0329. All media are requested to report to the Incident Command Post to check in with Public Information Officers.
Basic Information
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
|---|---|
| Cause | Under Investigation |
| Date of Origin | Saturday August 17th, 2013 approx. 03:15 PM |
| Location | Groveland Range District, Stanislaus NF |
| Incident Commander | Mcgowan -- << He presided over the briefing/q&a session in Twain Harte this evening. |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 3,104 |
|---|---|
| Size | 253,332 acres |
| Percent Contained | 80% |
| Estimated Containment Date | Friday September 20th, 2013 approx. 12:00 AM |
| Fuels Involved | Brush, Oaks, and Pine, conifer stands |
| Fire Behavior | Firing operations in Division N were completed. Resources responded to two new fires within the initial attack responsibility area. A public meeting will occur this evening at 6pm at Twain Harte, CA. |
Outlook
| Planned Actions | Resources will continue to patrol, mop-up, and monitor all contained areas of the fire and the developed areas near and adjacent to the fire area. Resources will continue to monitor for possible spot fires, and mop-up new initial attack fires reported during day shift. |
|---|---|
| Growth Potential | High |
| Terrain Difficulty | Extreme |
| Remarks | O'Shaughnessey, and Aspen Valley continue to be evacuated due to lack of power and ongoing mitigations of hazards caused by fire. Significant progress is being made to mitigate these hazards and restore power. Small contingents of employees from Hetch Hetchy Power and Water have been allowed back into Mather. The pockets of unburned fuel within the perimeter of the fire area continue to consume and create potential for spot fires outside the containment lines. Approximately 2,490 structures remain threatened in areas near the fire perimeter to the north, south, and southeast portions of the fire. State Route 120 is opened to Crane Flat and the Big Oak Road is open from Crane Flat to Yosemite Valley. The portion of State Route 120 (Tioga Pass Road) from Crane Flat to White Wolf remains closed. Evergreen Road, Old Yosemite Road, Harden, and the Cherry Creek Road remain closed. A Forest closure order is in effect for locations within the proximate to the fire area. Large increase in estimated costs is associated with expenditures and invoices from previous operational periods being reported during current shift. A public meeting is occurring today at 6 p.m. at Twain Harte, CA. Injuries reported in Block 21 include one knee injury, one lower leg injury, one wrist turn. |
Current Weather
| Wind Conditions | 10G18 mph W |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 80 degrees |
| Humidity | 20% |
RIM FIRE UPDATE, 7:30 a.m., from InciWeb.org
Firefighters will face hot and extremely dry conditions today coupled with shifting winds and low fuel moistures. Large pockets of fuel within the fire perimeter will continue to burn creating potential for spot fires outside the containment lines. The variable winds will test lines on many areas of the fire. Today’s top priorities are holding the lines on the northern and southeastern flanks and beginning inventory of repairs required as a result of suppression activities. Firefighters will also continue to patrol mop up and monitor all contained areas of the fire and developed areas near the fire area. Last night four hotshot crews backfired along almost a mile of hand line toward Hardin Lake. Motorists along State Route 120 are asked to use caution and avoid stopping when driving through the fire area.
A Community Meeting will be held this evening at 6:00 PM in the Twain Harte Park, aka Eproson Park. Fire officials will brief attendees on the status of the fire and answer questions.
Park and Forest Closures
Yosemite National Park has closed Tamarack Flat and Yosemite Creek Campgrounds both located along Tioga Road. White Wolf Campground and White Wolf Lodge remain closed. The Stanislaus National Forest has issued an area closure for the entire Groveland Ranger District and for the Mi-Wok Ranger District east of State Route 108. Additional details are available from the Stanislaus Forest Supervisor's Office 209-532-3671; Mi-Wok Ranger Station (209) 586-3234; Summit Ranger Station 209-965-3434; and Groveland Ranger Station 209-962-7825.
Road Closures
State Route 120 is now open from Groveland to Yosemite Valley. State Route 120 (Tioga Road) remains closed from Crane Flat to 1 ½ miles east of White Wolf. Park visitors can access Tuolumne Meadows from SR-395 via the park entrance at Tioga Pass. Cherry Lake Road is closed at State Route 120. Evergreen Road Old Yosemite Road and Hardin Flat Road are also closed.
Evacuations and Advisories
No mandatory or advisory evacuation orders are in effect in Mariposa or Tuolumne Counties but some secondary roads remain closed to non-residents within the fire area.
For more information or if you have questions please contact the Rim Fire at 805-727-4775 or 805-727-4746. If you have questions about Yosemite National Park call 209-372-0327 or 209-372-0329. All media are requested to report to the Incident Command Post to check in with Public Information Officers.
Basic Information
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
|---|---|
| Cause | Under Investigation |
| Date of Origin | Saturday August 17th, 2013 approx. 03:15 PM |
| Location | Groveland Range District, Stanislaus NF |
| Incident Commander | Mcgowan |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 3,312 |
|---|---|
| Size | 253,332 acres |
| Percent Contained | 80% |
| Estimated Containment Date | Friday September 20th, 2013 approx. 12:00 AM |
| Fuels Involved | Brush, Oaks, and Pine, conifer stands |
| Fire Behavior | Fire behavior during the night shift hours was limited to creeping and smoldering with the majority of fire behavior confined to large diameter fuels and sheltered locations. |
Outlook
| Planned Actions | Resources will continue to patrol, mop-up, and monitor all contained areas of the fire and the developed areas near and adjacent to the fire area. Resources will continue to monitor for possible spot fires, and scout for additional direct line construction opportunities in Division Z. Implementation of Suppression Damage Repair Plan will continue. |
|---|---|
| Growth Potential | High |
| Terrain Difficulty | Extreme |
| Remarks | Mather, O-Shaughnessey, and Aspen Valley continue to be evacuated due to lack of power and ongoing mitigations of hazards caused by fire. Significant progress is being made to mitigate these hazards and restore power. The pockets of unburned fuel within the perimeter of the fire area continue to consume and create potential for spot fires outside the containment lines. Approximately 2,490 structures remain threatened in areas near the fire perimeter to the north, south, and southeast portions of the fire. State Route 120 is opened to Crane Flat and the Big Oak Road is open from Crane Flat to Yosemite Valley. The portion of State Route 120 (Tioga Pass Road) from Crane Flat to White Wolf remains closed. Evergreen Road, Old Yosemite Road, Harden, and the Cherry Creek Road remain closed. A Forest closure order is in effect for locations within the proximate to the fire area. Large increase in estimated costs is associated with expenditures and invoices from previous operational periods being reported during current shift. A public meeting has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday September 8 at Twain Harte, CA. |
Current Weather
| Wind Conditions | 15 mph NE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 55 degrees | ||
| Humidity | 40% |
RIM FIRE UPDATE: Sept 8 9:11 a.m.
Tuolumne County, CA -- The Rim fire is now 396 square miles. It has
grown by 811 acres to 253,332 and is still 80% contained. However the
number of structures threatened has dropped to 1,900.
The number of firefighters on the scene remains at 3,312 and the cost is $93.5 million dollars.
Residents along the Highway 108 corridor will continue to see smoke plumes in the air as firefighters continue back burning within the containment lines.
Incident Command Spokesperson Richard Hadley explains, "A lot of the unburned islands that were inside the containment lines, many of those have been consumed. They can still expect to see smoke coming out of there as the larger columns or plumes of smoke lift off in the afternoon."
Hadley says the biggest challenge right now is the winds lining up with the canyons near Tioga Road. He says that is causing the fire to be very active, but he says the lines are holding so far.
* * * * *
The number of firefighters on the scene remains at 3,312 and the cost is $93.5 million dollars.
Residents along the Highway 108 corridor will continue to see smoke plumes in the air as firefighters continue back burning within the containment lines.
Incident Command Spokesperson Richard Hadley explains, "A lot of the unburned islands that were inside the containment lines, many of those have been consumed. They can still expect to see smoke coming out of there as the larger columns or plumes of smoke lift off in the afternoon."
Hadley says the biggest challenge right now is the winds lining up with the canyons near Tioga Road. He says that is causing the fire to be very active, but he says the lines are holding so far.
* * * * *
Don't forget that there is a community meeting in Twain Harte tonight, Sunday, 6 p.m., Eproson Park.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
RIM FIRE UPDATE, SEPT 7, 8:08 pm
Tuolumne County, CA -- The Rim fire grows by 365 acres. It is now 252,521 acres and 80% contained. Firefighters on the scene have dropped to 3,312 while the cost has climbed to $93.5 million dollars.
RIM FIRE UPDATE SEPT 7th 7:30 pm --- TWAIN HARTE COMMUNITY MEETING
Rim Fire Update--September 7, 2013 7:30pm
Incident: Rim Fire WildfireReleased: 56 min. ago
RIM FIRE UPDATE
September 7 2013 7:30 PM
Flickr: http://tinyurl.com/k5th863
Email: RimFireInfo@gmail.com
Blogger: RimFireInfo@blogspot.com
Acres Burned: 252,521 (395 square miles)
Structures Threatened: 1 900
Containment: 80%
Residences Destroyed: 11
Fire Start Date: August 17 2013
Commercial Property Destroyed: 3
Fire Cause: Under Investigation
Outbuildings Destroyed: 97
Cost to date: $93.5 million
Injuries: 6
Total Personnel: 3,312
Fire Update
Hotter and drier weather today coupled with low fuel moistures resulted in continued burning of vegetation within the fire area. Burning in the northwestern portion of the fire was most active well within the fire perimeter and posed no threat to containment lines. On the northern flank firefighters contained two spotfires below Cherry Ridge with the aid of helicopter water drops. Crews contained another spot fire on the eastern flank. Winds pushed the fire deeper into the Emigrant Wilderness and Yosemite National Park north of Eleanor Lake. Southwest winds tonight will again test containment lines especially in recently burned out areas on the eastern flank. Motorists along State Route 120 are asked to use caution and avoid stopping when driving through the fire area.
A Community Meeting will be held Sunday at 6:00 PM in the Twain Harte Park. Fire officials will brief attendees on the status of the fire and answer questions. (see below)
Park and Forest Closures
Yosemite National Park has closed Tamarack Flat and Yosemite Creek Campgrounds both located along Tioga Road. White Wolf Campground and White Wolf Lodge remain closed. The Stanislaus National Forest has issued an area closure for the entire Groveland Ranger District and for the Mi-Wok Ranger District east of State Route 108. Additional details are available from the Stanislaus Forest Supervisor's Office 209-532-3671; Mi-Wok Ranger Station (209) 586-3234; Summit Ranger Station 209-965-3434; and Groveland Ranger Station 209-962-7825.
Road Closures
State Route 120 is now open from Groveland to Yosemite Valley. State Route 120 (Tioga Road) remains closed from Crane Flat to 1 ½ miles east of White Wolf. Park visitors can access Tuolumne Meadows from SR-395 via the park entrance at Tioga Pass. Cherry Lake Road is closed at State Route 120. Evergreen Road Old Yosemite Road and Hardin Flat Road are also closed.
Evacuations and Advisories
No mandatory or advisory evacuation orders are in effect in Mariposa or Tuolumne Counties but some secondary roads remain closed to non-residents within the fire area.
* * * * *
Twain Harte Community Meeting
Incident: Rim Fire WildfireReleased: 6 hrs. ago
Stanislaus National Forest
Rim Fire Information
For Immediate Release
Twain Harte Community Meeting
Date: Sunday September 8 2013
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Twain Harte Park Amphitheater
Twain Harte CA
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