[pct-l] Chips Fire Update

[lafferty]

Subject: Chips Fire Update
 
Firefighters remained vigilant in holding containment lines last night. Today crews will continue to aggressively attack an area where the fire escaped containment lines into the Mosquito Creek drainage. Aircraft will assist throughout the day by dropping water on hot spots near the fire's advancing edge as smoke conditions allow. 
The fire is expected to slowly creep downslope towards Highway 70 on the southern flank where crews will mop-up along the line to secure additional containment. Fire activity along the western flank of the fire was minimal last night and crews will resume construction and improvement of western flank containment lines. 
Containment objectives for the Chips Fire are to keep the fire south of Humbug Summit Road, north of Highway 70 and Tobin, west of the Butt Lake transmission lines, and East of Philbrook Reservoir. Crews are stationed in communities along the Feather River Canyon to provide structure protection. 
Contingency lines beyond the primary containment lines are planned and the north contingency line along Humbug Road is now under construction. 


Basic Information




Incident Type

Wildfire


Cause

Under Investigation


Date of Origin

Sunday July 29th, 2012 approx. 01:57 AM


Location

2 miles NW of Belden, CA


Incident Commander

Jerry Mcgowan
Current Situation




Total Personnel

1,005


Size

18,001 acres


Percent Contained

10%


Estimated Containment Date

Tuesday August 21st, 2012 approx. 12:00 AM


Fuels Involved

10 Timber (litter and understory) low brush with numerous dead and down large, 1000 hour logs and standing snags.


Fire Behavior

Persistent fire spread is currently being observed near the northeast perimeter of the fire with minimal fire spread along the remaining perimeters.


Significant Events

Crews made progress mopping up spot fires in private lands near the northeast flank. Burnout operations were not conducted due to unfavorable conditions. Gansner Bar, North Fork and Queen Lily campgrounds and USFS road 27N76 remain closed. The Little Grizzly dispersed camping area and High Lake OHV Area are closed. The communities of Belden, Little Haven and Maggie's Trailer Park are on a precautionary evacuation notice. A voluntary evacuation notice has been issued for the Rush Creek area and the area south of Highway 89 that includes Butt Valley Reservoir and Humbug Reservoir. Residents along Highway 70 from Tobin to Twain are encouraged to begin developing evacuation plans. A one mile, one lane traffic closure remains in effect on Highway 70. Motorists should use caution on Hwy 70 in the fire area. Expect delays and traffic controls. Portions of the Pacific Crest, Yellow Creek, Ben Lomond, and Indian Creek hiking trails remain closed.
Outlook




Planned Actions

Resources will continue to construct and improve fireline in preparation for future burnout operations. Crews will also continue to patrol and extinguish spot fires, hold and mop-up existing firelines, and provide initial attack response. A contingency group is scouting for future potential containment line location. Structure protection is currently being provided to communities in the Highway 70 Corridor and along Caribou Road. The communications site on Red Hill is also being protected.


Growth Potential

Extreme


Terrain Difficulty

Extreme


Remarks

Additional crews will be brought in as needed to support suppression efforts. The Yellow Creek Base Camp has been relocated to Almanor Campground. Completed handline and roads equals 19 miles. There are 17 miles of dozer lines. Planned fireline equals 12 miles. An advisory from the Plumas County Sheriff's Office for potential evacuations is still in effect along Highway 70 between Tobin and Twain. Other voluntary evacuation notices remain in effect as well.
 
 
Steve Tolen
Safety Officer
Plumas District Hospital
1065 Bucks Lake Road
Quincy, Ca 95971
530-283-7909
Fax: 530-283-7953
Mobile: 530-200-5143
 
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