Hat Creek Complex Fire Update - August 5, 2009
Incident: Hat Creek Complex Wildfire
Released: 8/5/2009
HAT CREEK COMPLEX
Lassen NF
Fire Information Number: 530-336-1026
Wednesday, August 5, 2009 - 9:00am
Today's Update: Northern California Incident Management Team II (NorCal Team II) is managing the Hat Creek Complex for the Lassen National Forest. The complex consists of three fires burning on the Hat Creek Ranger District: Sugarloaf Fire, Brown Fire, and the Butte Fire. As the fuels continue to dry out, additional fires from last weekend's lightning storm are being reported and initial attack firefighters are responding.
Objectives for fire managers are to keep the fire within existing containment lines while minimizing fire suppression impacts to riparian and cinder cone areas.
The Butte Fire is 100% contained. The Brown Fire is about 60% 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.
The Sugarloaf Fire exhibited extreme fire behavior late yesterday afternoon and made a significant run to the north and east. Today, firefighters plan to patrol the Butte Fire. Extensive mop-up hot spot operations are planned for the Brown Fire. Fire crews on the Sugarloaf Fire will seek for direct and indirect containment line construction opportunities and will strengthen road containment lines for burning.
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: 8,596 acres
Estimated Complex Containment: 15%
Estimated Individual Fire Size / Containment:
Sugarloaf Fire: 6,655 acres / 10%
Brown Fire: 1,893 acres / 60%
Butte Fire: 48 acres / 100%
Estimated Complex Containment Date: 8/17/2009
Estimated Cost to Date: $2,200,000
Cause: Lightning
Injuries: 0
Resources: 30 crews, 54 engines, 4 dozers, 7 water tenders
Total Personnel: 993
Evacuations: Hat Creek and Old Station communities as well as associated campgrounds and the Rancheria Travel Park. Emergency shelter services are available through the Red Cross at 530-604-2305.
Closures: State Highway 89 has been closed to traffic between State Highways 44 and 299 but is being evaluated this morning for the possibility of controlled piloted traffic later today. For up-to-date road information contact CalTrans at 1-800-427-7623. The Old Station Visitor Center is closed as well as Hat Creek Recreation Area campgrounds. For update closure information go to www.fs.fed.us/r5/lassen/.
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: Power and telephone service has been disrupted in the Hat Creek area. PG&E customers in the Old Station community area are without power service.
