Hat Creek Complex Fire Update - August 6, 2009 @ 9am
Incident: Hat Creek Complex Wildfire
Released: 8/6/2009
HAT CREEK COMPLEX
Lassen NF
Fire Information Number: 530-336-1026
Twitter.com/NorCalTeam2
Thursday, August 6, 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. In addition to 3 large fires, the complex now includes an additional 34 smaller fires which were previously reported as the Hat Creek District LCA. The three large fires are the Sugarloaf Fire, Brown Fire, and the Butte Fire. All of the fires are burning on the Hat Creek Ranger District.
Earlier this week, approximately 30 structures were threatened by the Brown Fire near Hat Creek and approximately 100 structures were threatened by the Sugarloaf Fire near the Old Station. Only the Sugarloaf Fire is expected to have any significant growth, however is estimated to be 100% contained by Monday, August 17.
Yesterday, strong winds from the south in the late afternoon caused the fire to spread north along Highway 89 and east across Highway 44. Weather forecasters have issued a red flag warning for the Burney Basin due to possible lightning and thunderstorms later today, although the higher humidity is expected to slow the fire activity and allow firefighters to gain more control of the Sugarloaf Fire.
Today, firefighters plan to patrol and mop-up hot spots in the Butte and Brown Fires. On the south side of the Sugarloaf Fire, fire crews plan to mop-up hot spots around structures, construct containment line and strengthen road containment lines for burning. In the north, northwestern, and southwestern areas of the Sugarloaf Fire, crews will continue line construction, improve current containment line around structures and road preparation for burning. Along the eastern and southeastern edges of the Sugarloaf Fire, crews will continue to secure perimeter control lines around structures, continue to construct containment lines, and control spot fires. On the remaining 34 small fires on the Hat Creek Ranger District, firefighters will patrol and mop-up hot spots.
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: 9,978 acres
Estimated Complex Containment: 20%
Estimated Individual Fire Size / Containment:
Sugarloaf Fire: 8,037 acres / 15%
Brown Fire: 1,893 acres / 80%
Butte Fire: 48 acres / 100%
Estimated Complex Containment Date: 8/17/2009
Estimated Cost to Date: $3,200,000
Cause: Lightning
Injuries: 0
Resources: 33 crews, 2 helicopters, 60 engines, 12 dozers, 12 water tenders
Total Personnel: 1,080
Evacuations: The Rancheria Travel Park and Hat Creek Recreation Area campgrounds.
Closures: The Old Station Visitor Center is closed as well as Hat Creek Recreation Area campgrounds. For updated closure information, go to www.fs.fed.us/r5/lassen/. Pacific Crest Trail hikers should avoid portions of the trail north of Twin Bridges to Burney Falls due to multiple fire activity in the area. For current trail conditions, go to http://www.pcta.org/.
Highway 89 is closed to all traffic between the junction of Highway 44 and the junction of Highway 299. Highway 44 is closed from 5 miles west of Old Station to the junction of Highway 36 near Susanville. Motorists are advised to use an alternate route. Both highway closures are subject to change. Please check CalTran's website at http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi or call CalTran's Road Conditions number 800-427-7623 for updated information.
Remarks: Power and telephone service has been disrupted in the Hat Creek area. Approximately 318 PG&E customers in the Old Station community area are without power service.
