North Mountain Fire Update-Thursday July 3, 2008
Incident: North Mountain Wildfire
Released: 7/3/2008
North Mountain Fire Update
Thursday, July 3, 2008
(209) 962-4042
On Scene Contact: Dennis Cross-Pam Bierce Information Officers
Fire Status: Active
Cause: Lightning
Location: Stanislaus National Forest, Groveland Ranger District
Acres Burned: 2,889
Percent Contained: 90%
Full Containment Expected: 7/3/08
Date Started: 6/21/08
Resources: 14 hand crews, 5 engines, 7 water tenders, 3 helicopters, air tankers on order
Personnel Assigned: 473
Injuries: 13
Overview:
At approximately 3:48 PM on Saturday June 21, 2008, lightning started the North Mountain Fire, which is now 2,889 acres and burning in steep, rugged terrain with difficult access north of the Tuolumne River.
Current Situation:
Crews are directing their efforts towards hazards that remain such as islands of unburned fuel and snags. Crews continue to monitor the fire and mop up all threats to the perimeter. Helicopters continue to support the incident by transporting crews, providing water drops and back hauling extra equipment and trash from the fire line. Firefighters made great progress yesterday on the fires perimeter. Five crews will remain in the "spike camp" for the next thirty six hours to access the remote northeasterly edge of the fire. This will increase our ability to reinforce the perimeter of the fire in this remote and difficult area.
The Park Service is working closely with Interagency Team 2 to achieve containment of the fire. Specific inquiries regarding Yosemite can be directed to the Yosemite Media Relations Office at (209) 372-0248. Fire Information is available at
(209) 372-0480 or on the web at www.nps.gov/yose.
Incident Priorities:
·· Firefighter and public safety is our core value.
·· Maximize protection of resources at risk.
·· Provide timely public information on current and predicted fire conditions.
·· Provide for productive relationships with local, County, State and Federal officials.
Evacuations:
No evacuations are in place.
Road Closures:
No road closures are in effect.
"Firefighters and equipment will be working in the area" signs are posted on Cherry Lake Road to let motorists know of their presence...requesting that they drive slowly and advising them of the possibility of smoke in the area.
Areas Closed:
The Preston Falls Trail is closed.
Weather, Fire Behavior and Smoke Conditions:
Today's weather will continue to be hot and dry.
Challenges:
·· Steep rugged terrain and heavy fuel loading.
·· Spotty cell phone and radio coverage.
·· Supporting firefighter needs at remote spike camps.
Progress:
Containment has increased rapidly over the past twenty four hours due to hard work both on the ground and in the air. Crews continue to work in extremely steep, rugged terrain. Full containment is expected by the end of today's operational period.
Excess crews are being demobilized and reassigned to help firefighting efforts throughout the state.
North Mountain Fire Cooperators include Stanislaus National Forest, Yosemite National Park, Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office, Bureau of Land Management, CAL FIRE, Hetch-Hetchy Power, Tuolumne County Emergency Operations Center, Sierra Pacific Industries.
Southern California Interagency Incident Management Team
Ron Woychak, Incident Commander
