[pct-l] Clover Fire Update - July 10

[Donna "L-Rod" Saufley]

Pacific Crest Trail/Fire Area 
The closure order for the Pacific Crest Trail and the Clover Fire Area has been lifted as of July 9, 2008.  Hikers are urged to use caution in the fire area.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS ARE IN EFFECT
Due to the high fire danger Sequoia and Inyo National Forests and lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management are in fire restrictions! Campfires, portable gas stoves or barbecues are allowed only in campgrounds, developed recreation areas and a portion of existing fire exempt areas.  For a list of fire exempt areas call the Kernville District Office at (760) 376-3781 or the Lake Isabella Office at (760) 379-5646.

Clover Fire Activity
Location:  Sequoia and Inyo National Forests in the South Sierra Wilderness, north of Kennedy Meadows and south of Beck Meadow, California.
Acres: 15,300 acres – 70% contained.  Containment is expected on Tuesday, July 15th.

New Status:   The Pacific Crest Trail section within the fire has now opened and the area closure has been lifted. Rehabilitation of fire lines, which includes constructing erosion control devices and returning the disturbed area back toward a natural condition, and backhauling of equipment continued along the northern perimeter.

On July 9, 2008 an infrared detection flight was completed over the fire.  Very little heat was detected.  Planned operations for the next two days include final mop-up of detected hot spots, fireline rehabilitation and aerial reconnaissance. 

The command of the fire has been assumed by the Kern River Ranger District and Type 3 Incident Commander David Allen.  All the members of Cook/Hutton’s Northern Rockies Team want to thank the local communities for their friendliness and patience during our stay in the Kern River Valley.


Committed Resources:
•	 1 helicopter
•	 16 total personnel 

Predicted Weather
Temperature: 80 to 86° F 
Winds:  Temperatures will begin to moderate and the relative humidities will slowly rise Friday onward.  Low level winds will continue to be predominantly terrain driven slope winds.  Friday should bring a few afternoon cumulus buildups.  Winds will be upslope/up valley 6 to 9 mph, with afternoon gusts to 20 mph.
Relative Humidity: 9 to 14%.

Contacts:			    
Fire Information Line:  (760) 376-3781 or (760) 379-5646, 7 days a week, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
www.inciweb.org (During heavy fire activity, inciweb may not be accessible) cloverwfu at gmail.com  
Sequoia National Forest: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/news/
Inyo National Forest:  http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/

Important Internet Links:
View South Sierra fire areas by Webcam  http://sierrafire.cr.usgs.gov/swfrs/Pages/WebCam.html 
Real Time Smoke Monitoring http://www.satguard.com/USFS/chart_new.asp?Get=1&UnitID=45&CustID=2&sDate=6-21-2008

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