[pct-l] update on Chip Creek fire

[lafferty]

So sorry for the loss of As a Bat.  I will miss seeing his contributions on the list.  Please pray for raihn for Plumas County and all the states that are in a drought situation.  Thank you.  Kodak Karen

--- On Tue, 8/14/12, Doug Lafferty <dlafferty at pdh.org> wrote:


From: Doug Lafferty <dlafferty at pdh.org>
Subject: FW: Fire Department
To: lafferty1 at yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, August 14, 2012, 1:55 PM







FYI
 


From: Steve [mailto:stolen at pdh.org] 
Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2012 12:17 PM
To: 'Alyssa Cassol'; 'Brenda Compton'; 'Brian Walmer'; 'Chris Rice'; 'Cindy Crosslin'; 'Claude Freeze'; 'Daniel Brandes'; 'Denise Harding'; 'Denise Lauffer'; 'Dianne Gruner'; 'Doug Lafferty'; 'Greg Perkins'; 'Helen Mills'; 'Jeff Obenland'; 'Jim Rouse'; 'Karen Story'; 'Kim Kudick'; 'Kris Ball'; 'Linda Jameson'; 'Lisa Noia'; 'Mandy Hovland'; 'Peggy Schmidt'; 'Rick Foster'; 'Stephen Johnson'; 'Steve Tolen (Steve Tolen)'; 'Tiffany Leonhardt'
Cc: ssawchuk at gmail.com
Subject: Fire Department
 

Incident Overview

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Today's Update: 
The Plumas County Sheriff issued a Voluntary Evacuation for Canyondam, Big Meadows, and Rocky Point Campground at 5 PM last evening. The Sheriff's Advisement for other communities along Highway 89 including Prattville, Almanor, and West Almanor remains in effect (see more details in Evacuation Section below). 
Last night crews made continued progress strengthening and extending the north containment line towards Butt Valley Reservoir. The north containment line along Humbug Road has held for more than 48 hours, and crews hope to be able to tie this line into the north shore of Butt Valley Reservoir today. No movement occurred along Highway 70 and the west flank. 
New contingency lines along Highway 89 and north of Humbug Road are being improved with dozers and other heavy equipment. CalFire and Office of Emergency Services engines continue to arrive and will comprise a robust structural protection group for the communities threatened by the Chips Fire. 
The 940 structures that are considered threatened are in the following communities: Lake Almanor West, Almanor, Prattville, the Big Meadows subdivision, Canyondam, Belden, Rush Creek, and Seneca, and structures along Caribou Road. Please note, the increase in structures threatened is the result of better structure mapping not additional communities being threatened. 
PG&E representatives are working closely with the fire management team, and are prepared to de-energize transmission lines as needed for firefighting efforts, including the use of aircraft. 
Fire Behavior and Smoke: 
The fire was less active last night. However, fire conditions are still critical and capable of producing extreme fire behavior where winds align with canyons. The fire will continue to move northeast towards Butt Valley Reservoir where it has not yet reached the shoreline. At several locations the fire backed into the North Fork of the Feather River above Caribou Road. Yesterday smoke hung over the fire area grounding air resources most of the day and suppressing fire activity. Today smoke is expected to lift early, which may produce increased fire activity this afternoon. 
Public Safety: 
Motorists are encouraged to use caution on roads within the vicinity of the fire, particularly on Highway 70 and Highway 89 due to increased fire traffic. Travelers should check highway conditions regularly at 800-427-ROAD or www.dot.ca.gov. Smoke will continue to pose health concerns for the public. Residents are encouraged to visit the "Protect Yourself from Smoke" website for smoke protection information at http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Wildfires/. Local air quality conditions and forecasts are available at http://airnow.gov/index.cfm action=airnow.main. 
For tips on how to prepare for a potential evacuation and what to do if you are evacuated, residents in and near evacuation areas are encouraged to visit the "Ready, Set, Go" website at http://www.inciweb.org/incident/article/3052/15480/. 
Power Outages: 
To report and get updates on power outages please call PG&E's 24-hour emergency and customer service line: 1-800-743-5002. 
Evacuations and Closures: 
Mandatory Evacuations - Rush Creek and the community of Seneca remain under a mandatory evacuation. The Caribou Road from the junction of Highway 70 to Butt Lake Dam as well the Butt Lake Dam, Ohio Valley Road, Butt Lake Road, Humbug/Humboldt and all additional secondary roads West of Highway 89 between Canyondam and the Humbug/Humboldt Road are under a "Hard Closure". Additional evacuations may be necessary depending on fire activity. 
Sheriff's Voluntary Evacuations are now in place for Canyondam, Big Meadows and Rocky Point Campground. Residents between Tobin and Twain on Highway 70 are under a Sheriff's Advisement to develop a family evacuation plan. This area includes Belden, Maggie's Trailer Park, and Little Haven. Should members of the public require shelter assistance, please call the Plumas County Sheriff's Office at 530-283-6300. They will coordinate shelter arrangements through the Plumas County Office of Emergency Services. People with disabilities are high priority for help. 
Butt Valley Reservoir recreation facilities administered by PG&E (Ponderosa Flat Campground, Cool Springs Campground, Ray Adams Day Use Area and Boat Launch, as well as Yellow Creek Campground) are closed due to the fire. Gansner Bar, North Fork, and Queen Lily USFS campgrounds remain closed. The Little Grizzly dispersed camping area and High Lakes OHV area, are also closed. 
Communities west of the fire area including Paradise, Jarbo Gap, and Concow are not threatened at this time. 
In the interest of firefighter and public safety, the Plumas and Lassen National Forests have expanded the original closure areas due to the fire's growth. The closures will remain in place until the area is safe for the public to enter. Please see the Forest Orders and closure maps on InciWeb (address above). Pacific Crest Trail hikers may bypass the affected area by hiking Highway 70/89 or catching a bus with Plumas Transit to Chester, CA (weekdays only). 


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

1,009


Size

36,743 acres


Percent Contained

12%


Estimated Containment Date

Friday August 31st, 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

Heavy smoke coverage limited fire activity, Minimal spread throughout the last operational period.


Significant Events

Crews made sigificant progress last night with burnout operations. Approximately 2.5 miles of burning were completed on the northeast side of the fire towards the Butt Valley Reservoir. Resources will continue to improve existing line in preparation for future firing operations. Resources will also continue to improve, hold and mopup in the Humbug Valley and in the Red Hill area. Crews are in a patrol status along the Highway 70 corridor. The Little Grizzly dispersed camping area and High Lake OHV Area are closed. Rush Creek and the community of Seneca remain under a mandatory evacuation. The Caribou Road from the junction of Highway 70 to Butt Lake Dam as well the Butt Lake Dam, Ohio Valley Road, Butt Lake Road, Humbug/Humboldt and all additional secondary roads West of Highway 89 between Canyondam and the Humbug/Humboldt Road are under a “Hard Closure”. Additional evacuations may be necessary depending on fire activity. Sheriff’s voluntary
 evacuations are now in place for Canyondam, Big Meadows and Rocky Point Campground. Residents between Tobin and Twain on Highway 70 are under a Sheriff’s advisement to begin developing evacuation plans. This area includes Belden, Maggie’s Trailer Park, and Little Haven. Residents along Highway 70 from Tobin to Twain are encouraged to begin developing evacuation plans. 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

Crews will continue to improve and construct new containment line, and will continue to improve, hold and mopup existing containment line. Highway 70 is in a patrol status. A structure protection group will continue to prepare and implement protection plans for communities around the Lake Almanor Basin.


Growth Potential

Extreme


Terrain Difficulty

Extreme


Remarks

Mandatory evacuations have been issued by the Plumas County Sheriff's Office for Butt Lake, Ohio Valley, Humbug, Humboldt, and the Yellow Creek areas. An advisory remains for Canyondam, Big Meadows, Rocky Point Campground, Prattville, Almanor, and West Almanor.
Current Weather




Wind Conditions

18 mph SW


Temperature

99 degrees


Humidity

15%
 
 
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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