Update: 6:15 p.m. - Containment Improves, Mop-up Continues on Two Fronts of American Fire
Crews continued to mop up on the west and north sides of the fire to prevent any fire from potential hotspots from crossing established containment lines. This area will be patrolled by airresources today.
Thursday night fire crews continued to hold and improve containment lines on the north-east and east sides of the fire. Aggressive fire suppression efforts have stopped fire movement southto south-west along the North Fork of the Middle Fork of the American River.
Efforts to contain the fire along the more difficult steep and hazardous terrain on the south and south-east perimeters has been verysuccessful and that area will now be patrolled for hotspots. Strongwinds produced hotspots outside the line on the north-east corneryesterday.
Infra-red equipment detected these and were quickly extinguished by crews. Crews will begin repairing areas damaged by firefighting activity.
The fire is established in Antoine, Manilla and Scewrauger Canyons andbelow the Barny Cavanah Ridge. Consumption of heavy fuels willcontinue to contribute to smoke in surrounding areas. An additional camp is in operation on the east side of the fire to reduce traveltimes for firefighters in division Z.
Closure Update: Mosquito Ridge Rd (FSR 96) is 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 MeadowsReservoir.
Foresthill Rd is closed from Humbug Canyon Road (FSR88-066) to Robinson Flat Campround and Forest Rd 43 (Robinson Flat Rd)is closed from Robinson Flat Campground to Mosquito Ridge Rd.Robinson Flat Campground and Duncan Peak Lookout remain closed.
French Meadow Reservoir and access to the Oxbow Middle Fork AmericanRafting Launch put in remain open.Forest Order No 17-13-06 has closed portions of the Tahoe NF on theAmerican Ranger District.http://tinyurl.com/mvx4w3c
Further information: Information Call Center (530) 367-8020, staffed 7am to 8pm. www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe
Follow the incident on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Tahoe_NFwww.inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3624
Forsmoke 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 | 1,812 |
|---|---|
| Size | 20,232 acres |
| Percent Contained | 66% |
| Estimated Containment Date | Sunday September 01st, 2013 approx. 12:00 AM |
| Fuels Involved |
10 Timber (litter and understory). |
| Fire Behavior |
The south, the west, and the northern most portions of the fire showed little activity. The eastern portions of the fire produced moderate fire behavior with active surfacefire, isolated single and group tree torching and short crown runs. |
| Significant Events |
Continued significant fire growth in DIV Z and DIV R due to fire position and canyon alignment; Good progress in DIV A,DIV B,and DIV H. Burning operations in DIV R. The Incident is also supporting Initial Attack requests over the TFR footprint. A partial road closure of Mosquito Ridge Rd (Hwy 96)from the junction of Ralston Ridge Rd(Forest Rd 23)east to the junction of Forest Rd 96-052, west of French Meadows Reservoir for public and firefighter safety. Recreation opportunties remain open in French Meadows and surrounding recreational areas. |
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 mph NE |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 59 degrees |
| Humidity | 54% |
Update: 8:45 a.m. - American Fire Keeps Growing, Crews Gaining Ground
Crews continued to mop-up on the west and north sides of the fire to prevent any fire from potential hotspots from crossing established containment lines. Today fire crews continued to hold and improve containment lines on the north-east and east sides of the fire.
Aggressive fire suppression efforts have limited fire movement south to south-west along the North Fork of the Middle Fork of the American River. Efforts to contain the fire along the more difficult steep and hazardous terrain on the south and south-east perimeters has been very successful and that area will now be patrolled for hotspots.
The fire is established in Antoine, Manilla and Scewrauger Canyons and below the Barny Cavanah Ridge. Consumption of heavy fuels will continue to contribute to smoke in surrounding areas. An additional camp is in operation on the east side of the fire to reduce travel times for firefighters in division Z.
Closure Update: Mosquito Ridge Rd (FSR 96) is closed from the junction of Ralston Ridge Rd (FSR 96-023) to the junction of the Duncan Diversion Dam access road (FSR 96-052), west of French Meadows Reservoir. Foresthill Rd is closed from Humbug Canyon Road (FSR 88-066) to Robinson Flat Campround and Forest Rd 43 (Robinson Flat Rd) is closed from Robinson Flat Campground toMosquito Ridge Rd.
Robinson Flat Campground and Duncan Peak Lookout remain closed.
French Meadow Reservoir and access to the Oxbow Middle ForkAmerican Rafting Launch put in remain open.
Forest Order No 17-13-06 has closed portions of theTahoeNF on the American Ranger District.
Further information: Information Call Center (530) 367-8020, staffed 7am to 8pm.www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Tahoe_NF
www.inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3624 For smoke information: www.placer.ca.gov/apcd
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