Soda Complex Update
Incident: Soda Complex: Wildland Fire
Released: 7/9/2008
Soda Complex
TIME: 10:00 am
DATE: July 9, 2008
INCIDENT COMMANDER: Tom Heintz
PHONE: 707-275-2017 Fax: 707-275-2028
WEB: www.inciweb.org EMAIL: sodafire1@gmail.com
LOCATION: Upper Lake High School
INFORMATION OFFICERS: Brian LaMoure, Kim Frasier and Tracy Behrens
JURISDICTION: Mendocino National Forest
AGENCIES: US Forest Service, State, BIA, Fish Wildlife & Parks, National Park Service, Private
ACRES: 6,080
PERCENTAGE CONTAINED: 78%
PERSONNEL: 322
CREWS: 8
ENGINES: 12
HELICOPTERS: 1
COST TO DATE: $5.9 Million
SIZE: The complex contains four fires and they are listed in priority: (1) Mill Fire, 900 acres, 60% contained, est containment 7/10/08; (2) Monkey Rock Fire, 1390 acres, 30% contained, est containment 7/14/08. (3) Big Fire, 2190 acres, contained 7/5/08; (4) Back Fire, 1600 acres, contained 6/29/08.
CURRENT SITUATION:
Both the Mill Fire and the Monkey Rock Fire continued to actively burn on Tuesday due to the hot and dry conditions. However, despite the fire activity, crews continued to make progress in constructing hand line around both fires. Because of the crews' hard work, the Mill Fire is now estimated to be 60% contained, while containment of the Monkey Rock Fire is estimated to be 30%. On Wednesday, crews will continue with line construction on both the Mill and Monkey Rock Fires, and will continue with mop up operations on the Big Fire. The Back Fire will be patrolled by Initial Attack crews, and rehabilitation work will continue on the control lines.
SPECIAL CONCERNS:
A RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THIS AREA UNTIL 11 PM WEDNESDAY. A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL CREATE EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL.- Portions of the M1 road are closed between the intersections of the M1 with the M6 and M61. This is the Monkey Rock access road which is being used by firefighting personnel.
- The access to the Mill Fire, Road 20N04 is closed to provide firefighting personnel safety.
- Monkey Rock Fire is entirely within the Yuki Wilderness and access to the western flank is difficult. Mill Fire western flank is in the Sanhedrin Wilderness and access is difficult.
- Hang gliders advisory: FAA has imposed Temporary Fight Restrictions from sea level to 10,000 feet around the Monkey Rock Fire; therefore, launching from Hull Mountain is NOT advised. Suggest using Elk Mountain as an alternative.
- Please be aware that there may be heavy fire vehicle traffic on many roads on the MNF, even those roads not in the immediate vicinity of the fires. Smoke and haze may impair visibility in many areas.
- Pogie Point Campground at Lake Pillsbury remains closed and is being used as a sleeping area for firefighters.
