Soda Complex Update 7-25-08
Incident: Soda Complex: Wildfire
Released: 7/25/2008
Date: July 25, 2008
Phone: 707-275-2017 Fax: 707-275-2028
On the web: http://www.inciweb.org/ E-mail: sodafire1@gmail.com
Incident Commander: Dave Fiorella-USFS SCIIMT #3
Information Officers: Marc Peebles and Pam Bierce
Jurisdiction: Mendocino National Forest Location: Upper Lake High School
Agencies: US Forest Service, CAL FIRE, BIA, Fish Wildlife & Parks, National Park Service, and Private
Acres: 8,652 Percentage Contained: 95%
Personnel: 782 Crews: 21 Engines: 29 Dozers: 3 Water Tenders: 10 Helicopters: 3
Size: The complex contains four fires and they are listed in priority: (1) Mill Fire 3043 acres, 93% contained, est containment 7/26/2008; (2) Monkey Rock Fire 1829 acres, 100% contained; (3) Big Fire 2193 acres, 100% contained; (4) Back Fire 1567 acres, 100% contained.
Current Situation:
Southern California Incident Management Team #3 discontinued unified command with CAL FIRE this morning at 8:00 a.m. Yesterday saw the following events: (1) Mill Fire: firefighters were able to make good progress holding and performing mop up procedures on containment lines even though hampered by poor visibility due to smoky conditions. The fire continued to hold with no further advancement into the steep terrain in the southeast portion of the fire. Fire suppression repair work continues on numerous portions of the fireline. Aircraft was unable to operate yesterday afternoon due to poor visibility. Excess crews and equipment will begin to be released to assist in other firefighting efforts in California. (2) The Monkey Rock Fire, the Big and the Back Fires will continue to be patrolled by air.
Special Concerns:
- Archery season began on July 12, 2008 in the fire areas. Hunters are cautioned to be aware of road closures in the area and the presence of fire traffic
- Portions of the M1 road are closed between the intersections of the M1 with the M6 and M61.
- The access road to the Mill Fire, Road 20N04, is closed to the general public to provide firefighting personnel safety. It is open to property owners/residents.
- Please be aware that there may be heavy fire vehicle traffic on many roads on the MNF, even those roads not in the immediate vicinity of the fires.
- Please be very careful with fire and smoking is the area. The fire danger is and will remain, very high.
- Pogie Point and Navy Campgrounds at Lake Pillsbury are closed and being used as sleeping areas for firefighters.
- The Sanhedrin Wilderness remains closed and the southern portion of the Yuki Wilderness in the Upper Lake Ranger District also remains closed.
