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Cockpit Video From American Fire Airdrop

Monday, August 19, 2013 | Sacramento, CA
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146th Airlift Wing / YouTube
 

146th Airlift Wing / YouTube

Sunday coverage: American Fire Keeps Growing, Crews Making Progress
Latest U.S. Forest Service Incident Report

Update: 5:30 p.m. - American Fire Under New Command, Bad Fire Weather a Concern

The American Fire is burning 8 miles south of I-80 near the sierra crest at Emmigrant Gap. Winds that align with the topography are pushing the fire uphill. It is just a half mile from the American River. If the fire crosses the river, it could climb the other side of the steep canyon.

Fly along with the 146th Airlift Wing during a fire retardant drop Saturday afternoon:

Fire Information Officer Mike Johnson says conditions that prompted a Red Flag warning will be in effect through wednesday.

“We may get some rain that may or may not help us, and we may also get some thunderstorms that move through the area that don’t produce rain but may produce gusty erratic winds and maybe even some new lightning strikes” - Mike Johnson, Fire Information Officer

If there is rain there could be flooding. A Type 1 National Incident Command Team has taken over because of the fire’s complexity, growth, duration and the abundance of fuel.

The community of Big Oak Flat, which includes 6 homes is under voluntary evacuation orders.

Firefighters will hold an update meeting on the fire at 7 p.m. today at the Foresthill Veteran’s Memorial Hall.

Update: 2:30 p.m. - American Fire Update Meeting Tonight; Cockpit Video From Airdrop

The American Fire is burning in heavy fuels on extreme slopes about 10 air miles northeast of the community of Foresthill, and eight air miles south of Interstate 80.

The public is invited to an American Fire update meeting at the Foresthill Veteran's Memorial Hall at 24601 Harrison Street in Foresthill beginning at 7 p.m. tonight.

Heavy smoke shaded the fire Sunday, moderating fire behavior. Backing fire with single and group tree torching was observed.

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the fire area beginning at 11 a.m. today and extending through 11 p.m. Wednesday. This Warning is due to the threat of abundant lightning and gusty, erratic outflow winds. Significant rainfall and flooding in and around the fire is also possible over the next three days.

Firefighters continue to be concerned about dry fuels that have not seen fire in over a century, as well as any winds over 5 mph and rolling burning debris, all of which could cause a rapid spread of the fire.

On the northeast corner a spot fire was quickly contained by firefighters as they made good progress with hand lines and dozer lines. Along the eastern portion of the fire last night, firefighters conducted a firing operation, meaning they used fire to reduce unburned fuel between the fire line and the main fire.

The center portion of the east flank was still very active during the day, but indirect containment lines remained secure. On the extreme south end, firefighters will begin building a very steep hand line today, which descends to the river. The west side of the fire was relatively inactive.

Mop-up is occurring in this area, which involves checking the interior of the fire to ensure no hot spots remain that may threaten the containment lines.

The Robinson Flat Campground is closed. The Tahoe National Forest has issued a voluntary evacuation notice for Big Oak Flat located near the south end of the fire. Forest Road 43 (Robinson Flat Road) is closed at its intersection with Forest Road 96 (Mosquito Ridge Road).

An emergency closure order is in place for portions of National Forest System lands within and adjacent to the American Fire. A map and description of the closed area can be obtained at Tahoe National Forest offices as well as online at http://www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe. Portions of the Foresthill Divide road are closed.

At 6 a.m. today, management of the fire was transferred to the California Interagency Management Team 4.

Firefighter and public safety are the highest priority.

American Fire Perimeter, 8/19:
0819 American Fire Perimeter

Basic Information

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

Current Situation

Total Personnel 1,851
Size 14,765 acres
Percent Contained 49%
Estimated Containment Date Wednesday August 28th, 2013 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels Involved

Heavy fuels with standing dead snags.

Fire Behavior

The extremely dry fuel bed and steep slopes are contributing to control difficulty.

Significant Events

Active fire behavior in some areas.

Outlook

Growth Potential

High

Terrain Difficulty

Extreme

Remarks

On the extreme south end, firefighters will begin building a very steep hand line today, which descends to the river. The west side of the fire was relatively inactive. Mop-up is occurring in this area, which involves checking the interior of the fire to ensure no hot spots remain that may threaten the containment lines.

Current Weather

Wind Conditions 7-15 mph NE
Temperature Max 90 degrees
Humidity 15%

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  • American Fire Keeps Growing, Crews Gaining Ground

    Friday, August 23, 2013
    The American Fire has grown to more than 20,200 acres while firefighters have the blaze 66 percent contained. Mop-up efforts are under way on two fronts, to keep the fire from spreading beyond containment lines. Update: 6:15 p.m.
  • Crews Holding Containment of American Fire

    Thursday, August 22, 2013
    Aggressive firefighting from the air and ground have kept the American Fire from rapid growth. Containment stands at 60 percent as of Thursday night. Nearly 18,000 acres have burnt. Update: 10:30 p.m.
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  • Crews Gain Ground on American Fire, Erratic Winds Still a Concern

    Wednesday, August 21, 2013
    The American Fire was 63 percent contained as of late Tuesday, as winds are pushing the blaze nearer the Foresthills area. A Red Flag warning remains in effect until 11 p.m. today. Fire officials say full containment is expected around Sept. 1.
  • Heavy Timber, Weather Conditions Make American Fire a Challenge

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    Fighting the American Fire is slow-going, thanks to heavy timber, rugged terrain and changing weather. The fire is nearly 15,000 acres, with containment at 54 percent as of Tuesday afternoon. Updated: 2:45 p.m.
  • Fires and Hot Temperatures Worsen Air Quality in Northern California

    Monday, August 19, 2013
    The air quality in canyons on the west slope of the Sierra has been in the unhealthy range for all groups range for about a week. But air quality is expected to improve as more of the American Fire is contained and as thunderstorms move in.
  • American Fire Keeps Growing, Crews Making Progress

    Sunday, August 18, 2013
    Predictions of thunderstorms and winds have fire officials ready for the American Fire to become more erratic in the coming days. The fire has grown to nearly 14,000 acres and is 49 percent contained as of late Sunday.
  • Photo by Westfall / U.S. Forest Service

    More Than 1,400 Battling for American Fire Containment

    Saturday, August 17, 2013
    The American Fire is now more than 12,000 acres and is 40 percent contained as of late Saturday night. Heavy fuels, low humidity and steep terrain are contributing to the difficulty of fighting the fire. Smoky conditions persist. Updated: 9:55 p.m.
  • National Weather Service

    More Resources Dedicated to American Fire, Areas Closed

    Friday, August 16, 2013
    The American Fire has grown to nearly 10,000 acres and is 31 percent contained. Smoke from the fire, burning in a remote area of the Tahoe National Forest, is expected to settle over the Sierra overnight and early Saturday. Updated: 10:10 p.m.
  • American Fire Grows, Along With Containment

    Thursday, August 15, 2013
    Closures of areas adjacent to the American Fire in the Tahoe National Forest have been ordered. The fire is in a remote area near Foresthill, and has burned 5,400 acres. It is 35 percent contained. Updated: 11:20 p.m.
  • Smoke is Major Problem with American Fire

    Thursday, August 15, 2013
    The American Fire burning in the Tahoe National Forest has doubled in size to nearly 5,000 acres and it is still growing. But containment has also doubled to 35%.
  • Photo by Pavlica/US Forest Service

    American Fire Continues to Grow, Smoky Conditions Persist

    Wednesday, August 14, 2013
    The American Fire in the Tahoe National Forest has grown to almost 4,000 acres. Nearly 550 personnel are working the incident, which is not threatening structures. The fire is 10 percent contained as of late Wednesday. Updated 11:00 p.m.
  • Todd White / National Forest Service InciWeb

    American Fire Grows in Rugged Area of Tahoe National Forest, Auburn Air Smoky

    Tuesday, August 13, 2013
    The American Fire, burning in a remote area 17 miles NE of Foresthill, has grown to an estimated 1,900 acres. Smoke from the fire is affecting air quality over a wide area, including the Sacramento Valley and Lake Tahoe Basin. Updated: 10:40 p.m.
  • Fire in Tahoe National Forest Continues to Grow

    Monday, August 12, 2013
    The 'American Fire' burning in a heavily forested area of steep terrain about 17 miles northeast of Foresthill in Tahoe National Forest has grown to more than 1,000 acres. No evacuations or road closures have been issued.

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