Hat Creek Complex Fire Update - August 4, 2009
Incident: Hat Creek Complex Wildfire
Released: 8/4/2009
HATCREEK COMPLEX
Lassen NF
Fire Information Number: 530-257-9553
Twitter.com/NorCalTeam2
Tuesday, August 4, 2009 - 9:00am
Today's Update: The Hat Creek Complex consists of three fires burning on the Hat Creek Ranger District on the Lassen National Forest: Sugarloaf Fire, Brown Fire, and the Butte Fire.
The Brown and Sugarloaf fires made significant uphill runs with short duration crowning, spotting, flanking and backing fire. Firefighters observed roll-out of burning debris in addition to isolated single and group tree torching.
The Butte Fire is 100% contained. The Brown Fire is about 5% contained and is expected to be 100% contained on Saturday, August 8. There are approximately 30 structures threatened by the Brown Fire near the Hat Creek community. The Sugarloaf Fire is burning near the Old Station community where approximately 100 structures are threatened. Fire managers expect that the fire will be 100% contained on Monday, August 17.
Objectives for fire managers are to keep the fire within existing fire containment lines while minimizing fire suppression impacts to riparian and cinder cone areas.
Location: Near the communities of Old Station and Hat Creek - about 60 miles east of Redding, California, on both sides of Highway 89.
Estimated Total Complex Size: 3,043 acres
Sugarloaf Fire: 2,000 acres Brown Fire: 1,000 acres Butte Fire: 43 acres
Estimated Complex Containment: 5%
Estimated Complex Containment Date: 8/17/2009
Estimated Cost to Date: TBD Cause: Lightning Injuries: 0
Resources: 26 crews, 45 engines, 2 helicopters, 4 dozers, 8 water tenders: Total Personnel: 798
Evacuations: Hat Creek and Old Station communities as well as associated campgrounds. Emergency shelter services are available through the Red Cross at 530-604-2305.
Closures: State Highway 89 is closed to traffic between State Highways 44 and 299 except for residents. Telephone service has been disrupted in the Hat Creek area.
Cooperating Agencies: US Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Shasta County Sheriff, California Highway Patrol, CalTrans, and Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E).
Remarks: Northern California Interagency Incident Management (NorCal) Team II assumed command of the Hat Creek Complex to manage the three fires for the Lassen National Forest. Fire camp is located at the Inter-mountain fairgrounds in McArthur, California
