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Heavy Timber, Weather Conditions Make American Fire a Challenge

Tuesday, August 20, 2013 | Sacramento, CA
  
Monday coverage: Cockpit Video From American Fire Airdrop
Latest U.S. Forest Service Incident Report

Update: 2:45 p.m. - Heavy Timber, Weather Conditions Make American Fire a Challenge

The fire is approximately 10 air miles northeast of Foresthill in steep, rugged terrain. While the fire is predominantly burning on the Tahoe National Forest within the North Fork of the Middle Fork American River drainage, there is a potential, given changes in weather or fire behavior, for the fire to threaten areas near Foresthill.

Active fire behavior continues on the eastern and southern flanks of the fire. Overnight, crews continued to build hand and dozer line to contain the active fire while evaluating future containment options. Firefighters will mop up and patrol containment line along Deadwood Road and Foresthill Divide Road south to the dozer line.

Indirect line construction and mop up will continue down Deadwood Ridge. On the east side near Antoine, Manila and Screwauger Canyons, direct and indirect line construction will continue, with support of retardant drops.

Active fire behavior and roll out of burning material continue to be of concern, and will be closely monitored. Strong, erratic outflow winds and lightning may occur today, as the National Weather Service’s Red Flag Warning remains in effect until 11 p.m. Wednesday.

Active fire behavior in very steep, inaccessible terrain makes preparation of contingency lines critical. Indirect attack is the safest way to manage fire in areas of steep and difficult terrain.

Advisories:

Duncan Peak Lookout and Robinson Flat Campground remain closed. The Placer County Sheriff has closed the Foresthill Divide Road beginning past the turnoff to Christmas Tree Lodge, which is northeast of Foresthill. The Tahoe National Forest has issued a closure order for the fire area that is posted on the Forest web site at http://tinyurl.com/mvx4w3c.

Smoke continues to adversely affect air quality. People with respiratory problems should avoid exposure to smoke and minimize outdoor activity For more smoke information see:www.placer.ca/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 1,813
Size 14,990 acres
Percent Contained 54%
Estimated Containment Date Sunday September 01st, 2013 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels Involved

10 Timber (litter and understory)Heavy Fuels,Westville Fire from 2008 with standing dead snags.

Fire Behavior

On the west side of the fire (Branch I), primarily creeping in DIV F,DIV H,DIV B; Branch II(to the south) -single tree torching; Branch III creeping.

Significant Events

The Incident is also supporting Initial Attack requests over the TFR foorprint. The fire area is under an NWS Red Flag Warning through 2300 Wednesday for lightning. Additional Branch added for projected fire growth. Public meeting held at Foresthill Veterans Memorial Hall Monday evening was well received and attended by approx 200 + people. A planned meeting with the Board of Supervisors is scheduled for 0900.

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 3 G 6 mph N
Temperature Max 88 degrees
Humidity 55%

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  • American Fire Keeps Growing, Crews Gaining Ground

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    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

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  • American Fire Pricetag: $1 Million Per Day

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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.
  • Fires and Hot Temperatures Worsen Air Quality in Northern California

    Monday, August 19, 2013
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  • 146th Airlift Wing / YouTube

    Cockpit Video From American Fire Airdrop

    Monday, August 19, 2013
    A public briefing on the status of the American Fire at 7 p.m. today at the Foresthill Veteran's Memorial Hall. The fire continues to grow, consuming almost 15,000 acres, with 49 percent containment. Weather conditions are a concern. Update: 5:30 pm
  • 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
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    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
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 americanfire

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