Summary of The Bullards Fire
Incident: Bullards Fire Wildfire
Released: 9/2/2010
Bullards Fire Overview
August/September, 2010
The Beginning: The Bullards Fire, was first reported Friday, August 27, 2010, at 4:12 pm south of Bullards Bar dam. The smoke was reported by air attack, 3 fire lookouts and the public. The fire spread up hill and up canyon as warm temperatures and low humidities aided in creating very active fire conditions. Shortly after ignition, the fire made a run up the east side of the Yuba River canyon. It sent up a huge column of smoke visible in Yuba, Nevada, and Sierra Counties.
Into Action: CAL FIRE and the Forest Service, operating in Unified Command, immediately started deploying engines, dozers, hand crews, helicopters and air tankers to slow the spread of the fire and build fire line along the flanks. The first priority was to keep it from spreading into residential areas along Moonshine Road. In addition, the fire started moving up canyon toward the dam and crossed Marysville Road. More resources were deployed as they arrived on scene. Firefighters continued to fight the fire into the night as spot fires ignited the heavy brush and vegetation to the north - along Bullards Bar Reservoir. Winds blew embers half mile ahead of the main fire which started a leap-froging series of spot fires.
Fire Continues to Spread: Evacuations were initiated by the Yuba County Sheriff Friday evening. About 30 residences were evacuated on both sides of the reservoir. Portions of Marysville Road, Moonshine Road, Oregon Hill Road were closed. Bullards Bar Reservoir and recreation sites were also evacuated and closed.
By Saturday morning, the fire had consumed 850 acres. It continued to move north along the west shore of Bullards Bar as firefighters continued to build and strengthen line around the entire perimeter.
More Resources Arrive/Weather Changes: On Saturday afternoon, NorCal Team II transitioned into Unified Command. Additional resources started arriving and the Nevada County Fairgrounds was set up for fire camp to house the increased numbers of firefighters. In addition, the weather started to change, becoming cooler and more humid. A scant amount of rain fell Sunday and fire activity diminished. With the cooler weather, fire activity decreased and firefighters were able to make rapid progress.
Upper Hand: Over the next two days, the fire line was strengthened and mop-up continued. On Tuesday evening, August 31, fire managers declared the fire 100% "contained". Firefighters will be mopping up hotspots until the fire is controlled and then it will be patrolled on a regular basis.
Summary: The fire burned 1,307 acres of private and National Forest land. At the peak, 1,362 personnel were involved comprised of: 46 hand crews, 70 engines, 27 dozers, 10 helicopters, and air tankers. Those involved with the suppression/support included: CAL FIRE, Forest Service, Yuba County Sheriff's Department, CHP, PG&E, CA Department of Corrections, CA Conservation Corps - Placer Center, private contractors, and local fire agencies including North San Juan, Dobbins-Oregon House, Camptonville, Nevada County Consolidated, Grass Valley, Penn Valley, Linda Fire and others.
Rehabilitation: Crews and equipment will be completing "suppression repair" to reduce erosion potential from fire line construction or other damage from the fire suppression activities. Water bars or "speed bumps" are built across the fire lines to funnel future rain runoff off the line. Brush and shrubs will be pulled back onto the fireline to reduce erosion as well. This work is expected to be completed by the end of September/early October.
