American Fire - Monday Update: Containment Growing, Focus on Hot Spots

Fire crews are making progress on the south, north and west edges of the American Fire, as burning operations have been completed and remaining hot spots are being attacked. Containment stood at 83 percent late Monday, with full containment expected around Sept. 1.

Crews have completed burning operations adjacent to the Mosquito Ridge Road and along the eastern perimeter from Duncan Peak to the bottom of Deep Canyon. This edge is now in mop-up status. Total acreage burned is 24,684.

Fire crews have begun work repairing areas affected by fire fighting activities. This includes chipping material piled next to roads during fire line construction as well as identifying needs to construct water control devices along fire lines throughout the fire area.

Forest visitors are asked to adhere to area and road closures. The closures are in place to protect visitors and firefighters. The roads and areas that have been closed are unsafe due to fire-weakened,burned trees that pose a risk of falling, as well as frequently heavysmoke making visibility extremely poor. These areas and roads will be re-opened as soon as possible.

Windier conditions were found on the western side of the fire. Active smoldering across the northern flank of fire. Western flank has active backing andflanking fire with significant amounts of smoldering fuels.

Crews are getting the upper hand on the fire, as containment has grown to 81 percent. The fire has burned 24,408 acres as of Monday afternoon.

A Community Meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. today at the Foresthill Veterans Memorial Hall, 24601 Harrison Street, Foresthill.

The south, west and north perimeters of the fire remain in patrol status, due to completion of fire lines and minimal to no hot spots being detected inside the fire line in these areas.

Crews have completed burning operations adjacent to the Mosquito Ridge Road, along the eastern perimeter. These burning operations have consisted of fire fighters lighting low intensity (“cool”) fire withthe intent of reducing ground fuels between the fire perimeter and themain fire. This tactic was highly successful as it reduced thepotential of the main fire escaping containment lines. Now thatburning operations are completed, these same crews will transitioninto detecting and extinguishing any remaining hot spots.With increased containment of the fire.

Additional fire crews have begun work repairing areas affected by fire fighting activities. This has included chipping material piled next to roads during fire line construction as well as identifying needs to construct water controldevices along fire lines throughout the fire area.Forest visitors are asked to adhere to area and road closures.

The closures are in place to protect visitors and fire fighters. The roads and areas that have been closed are unsafe due to fire-weakened,burned trees that pose a risk of falling, as well as frequently heavy smoke making visibility extremely poor. These areas and roads will be re-opened as soon as possible.

Resources: Hand Crews: 28 Engines: 79 Dozers: 13 Water Tenders: 35 Helicopters: 4

Closure Update: Mosquito Ridge Rd (FSR 96) remains closed from thejunction of Ralston Ridge Rd (FSR 96-023) to the junction of theDuncan Diversion Dam access road (FSR 96-052), west of French Meadows Reservoir. Foresthill Rd remains closed from Humbug Canyon Road (FSR88-066) to Robinson Flat Campground and Forest Rd 43 (Robinson FlatRd) remains closed from Robinson Flat Campground to Mosquito Ridge Rd.Robinson Flat Campground and Duncan Peak Lookout also remain closed. French Meadow Reservoir and access to the Oxbow Middle Fork American Rafting Launch put in remain open.

Further information: American Fire Information (530) 367-8020, 8 a.m.to 7 p.m.www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe 

Follow the USFS onTwitter at:  https://twitter.com/Tahoe_NFwww.inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3624

For smoke information: www.placer.ca.gov/apcd

 

Basic Information

Incident Type	Wildfire
Cause	Under Investigation
Date of Origin	Saturday August 10th, 2013 approx. 04:30 PM
Location	10 miles northeast of Foresthill.
Incident Commander	Rocky Opliger

Current Situation

Total Personnel	1,283
Size	24,684 acres
Percent Contained	83%
Estimated Containment Date	Thursday August 29th, 2013 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels Involved	10 Timber (litter and understory).
Fire Behavior	Windier conditions were foundon the western side of the fire. Active smoldering across the northern flank of fire. Western flank has active backing andflanking fire with significant amounts of smoldering fuels. Southern and eastern flanks cold on the line with abundant interior heat (smoldering). the established fie along the 43 road is still actively backing down into Deep Canyon which continues to support control objectives.
Significant Events	Successful fireing operations in both DIV Z. Multiple resources sent to the Sierra Fire on the Tahoe NF to assist with initial attack while the Incident continues to support Initial Attack requests over the TFR footprint. A partial road closure of Mosquito Ridge Rd(Hwy 96)from the junction of the Ralston Rd. (Forest Rd 23), east to the junction of Forest Rd 96-052, west of French Meadows Reservoir for Public and firefighter safety. Recreational opportunities remain open in French Meadows and adjacent surroundings recreational areas. Good progress continues in Suppression Repair.

Outlook

Growth Potential	High
Terrain Difficulty	Extreme
Remarks	Fire is burning in an old growth stand of timber with no recorded fire history.Significant changes in fuel types associated with the fire continue to burn in steep and hazardous terrain as well as receptive timber fuels that have not burned in decades.Consumption of heavy fuels continues to create heavy smoke in the surrounding area. The Forest, timber industry,local agencies, and private landowners continue to contribute to collaborate to implement strategy and tactics that will minimize impacts on high value timber resources, The Western States Trail, watershed, and local communities. Aerial ignition options are being reviewed for implementation. Critical resources remain ordered to maintain options to contain fire with the least resource damage that can be safely accomplished.

Current Weather

Wind Conditions	10 G 19 mph SW
Temperature	70 degrees
Humidity	65%