Forks Fire Update--July 22,2009 6:30pm
Incident: Forks Fire Wildfire
Released: 7/23/2009
July 22, 2009 6:30 PM
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: 90%
Acres Burned: 3,268 Containment Expected: 7/24/2009
Cause: Under Investigation
Resources: Hand crews 11 Engines 15
Helicopters 2 Water Tenders 0
Air Tankers Available on order Dozers 0
Total personnel assigned to fire: 438
A lightning storm moved quickly through the Eastern Sierra Saturday afternoon, July 18, 2009, igniting approximately 26 fires. The Forks Fire started at approximately 2:54 pm. 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 have made excellent progress improving, holding and performing mop up procedures on containment lines throughout the fire perimeter. Night crews will continue to patrol and monitor the fire lines throughout the evening. Fire suppression repair work has begun and is being coordinated with Inyo National Forest resource advisors. Excess crews and equipment are being demobilized and will be available to assist in other firefighting efforts.
The public is advised to proceed with caution when traveling on State Route 168 due to the presence of firefighters and equipment and the possibility of falling rocks and debris.
Southern California Incident Management Team #2 remains in command of the Forks Fire. The management team will transition to a Type 3 organization from the Inyo National Forest on 7-24-09.
Firefighter and Public Safety is our core value. All identified hazards will be mitigated or avoided.
Weather, Fire Behavior and Smoke Conditions:
Slight chance of thunderstorms and warmer temperatures are predicted.
Agencies Involved:
US Forest Service (USFS), California Dept. of Forestry & Fire Protection (Cal-Fire), California Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), BLM, Los Angeles DWP, Inyo County Sheriff, CHP, Caltrans, Fish & Wildlife, Bishop Fire Dept., Big Pine Fire Dept., Lone Pine Fire Dept., Aspendell Volunteer Fire Dept.
Southern California Interagency Incident Management Team 2
Ron Woychak (USFS) Incident Commander
For more information on the web please go to: http://www.inciweb.org/
