Forks Fire Update--6:00pm 7/20/09
Incident: Forks Fire Wildfire
Released: 7/20/2009
July 20, 2009
Inyo National Forest Fire Information:
(760) 873-2503
Fire Status: Active
Location: Bishop Creek Drainage Date Started: July 18, 2009
12 miles West of Bishop Percent Contained: 60%
Acres Burned: 3,268 Full Containment Expected: No estimate
Cause: Under Investigation
Resources: Hand crews 11 Engines 20
Helicopters 6 Water Tenders 8
Air Tankers 8 available Dozers 1
Total personnel assigned to fire: 424
A lightning storm moved quickly through the Eastern Sierra Saturday afternoon, July 18, 2009, igniting approximately 26 fires the largest of which was the "Forks Fire". As of 5 pm, July 20, 2009 the Forks Fire still has some active burning with crews and aircraft making a concentrated effort to stop all northern movement. Southern California Interagency Incident Management Team 2 assumed command of the fire this morning at 8am.
The entire Bishop Creek drainage was evacuated with a mandatory evacuation of all residents and recreational facilities with State Route 168 closed. The Starlite development was placed on a voluntary evacuation.
Firefighters continue to make excellent progress constructing containment line and mopping up hot spots especially, in the areas adjacent to the northeast flank of the fire. Crews, dozers, water dropping helicopters and air tankers dropping retardant continue to build good containment line which they will continue to work on during the night shift when weather conditions are normally more favorable.
Owens Valley residents may continue to see smoke from this fire throughout the week. Thunderstorm activity was lighter today then in previous days, which assisted firefighters efforts. Smoke impacts in the Eastern Sierra currently are mild.
Mandatory Evacuation Lifted For Residents, Business Owners and Special Use Permit Holders
The evacuation order will be lifted for the following individuals in the Bishop Creek Canyon Recreation Area
at 10am, Tuesday, July 21, 2009:
·q Residents of Aspendell and South Fork
·q Business owners
·q Special use permit holders
People who have vehicles or camping gear in the canyon will be escorted to retrieve their belongings between
10 am and 12 noon Tuesday, July 21, 2009. They should report to the roadblock with a specific destination.
Bishop Creek Canyon Recreation Area is still closed to the public until further notice.
State High 168 remains closed to the public below Starlight Road.
Firefighter and Public Safety is our core value. All identified hazards will be mitigated or avoided.
Incident Priorities:
·q Manage costs commensurate with values at risk.
·q Maximize protection of resources at risk
·q Keep public informed on fire progress
·q Provide for productive relationships with local, county, state, and federal officials
Weather, Fire Behavior and Smoke Conditions:
Decreasing thunderstorms with are predicted for tomorrow and high temperatures remain in the forecast.
Agencies Involved:
US Forest Service (USFS), California Dept. of Forestry & Fire Protection (Cal-Fire), California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), BLM, Los Angeles DWP, Inyo County Sheriff, CHP, Caltrans, Fish & Wildlife
Southern California Interagency Incident Management Team 2
Ron Woychak (USFS) Incident Commander
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