Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 

American Fire Pricetag: $1 Million Per Day

Wednesday, August 21, 2013 | Sacramento, CA
  

Among the green pines, on the fire-red clay of Foresthill, a big business has grown overnight.

“This is a very complicated business and it is very expensive,” says Peter Frenzen, California Interagency Management Team 4 Information Officer. Frenzen is living in this temporary city. It includes showers, generators, a catering tent, air conditioned sleeping quarters and it supports nearly 2,000 people from two-dozen agencies.

“BLM, Forest Service, Parks Service, all the major, state fire, Cal Fire, and then there are all kinds of fire service people from various fire departments when there is a mobilization when there is a potential threat to structures.” - Peter Frenzen, California Interagency Management Team 4 Information Officer

Frenzen himself is a scientist who usually studies Mt. St. Helens. U.S Fish and Wildlife Service is here, so are vehicles from the Cities of Richmond, Dinuba, Montebello, Rocklin, even Ventura and Los angeles Counties. Behind the scenes there is a meteorologist a planner and analysts who run computer simulations of fire behavior and cost-benefit analysis.

“Oh yeah, we have a whole finance system, we have experts in not only the actual business management in managing something of this size, tracking all the costs, tracking all the expenses," Frenzen says.

Management, fire crews and air support have cost $6.8 million; equipment cost $1.6 million; support $1.4 million and supplies $200,000. Add it all up, and they’ve burned through $10 million in 10 days. It will all be paid for out of federal funds.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    Related Stories

  • 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.
  • 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

    Tuesday, August 20, 2013
    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.
  • 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
    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.

 americanfire

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Stories

Max Posner/NPR

Coronavirus FAQ: I'm confused by the new testing advice! Do it once, twice ... thrice?

August 13, 2022

Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo

Routine COVID-19 testing ends at Sacramento City Unified for upcoming school year

August 15, 2022

Emily Zentner / CapRadio

How we measured U.S. Forest Service wildfire prevention work

August 16, 2022

Most Viewed

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Stalled U.S. Forest Service project could have protected California town from Caldor Fire destruction

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

North Sacramento residents push back on affordable housing, say city ‘dumping’ homelessness solutions in neighborhood

California coronavirus updates: CDC director announces shake-up, citing COVID mistakes

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Stalled U.S. Forest Service project could have protected California town from Caldor Fire destruction

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

North Sacramento residents push back on affordable housing, say city ‘dumping’ homelessness solutions in neighborhood

California coronavirus updates: CDC director announces shake-up, citing COVID mistakes

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.