Soda Complex Fire Update 7-17-08
Incident: Soda Complex: Wildland Fire
Released: 7/17/2008
Date: July 17, 2008
Phone: 707-275-2017 Fax: 707-275-2028
On the web: http://www.inciweb.org/ E-mail: sodafire1@gmail.com
Unified Incident Commanders: Dave Fiorella-USFS SCIIMT #3, William Bradley-CAL FIRE
Information Officers: Marc Peebles and Pam Bierce
Jurisdiction: Mendocino National Forest Location: Upper Lake High School
Agencies: US Forest Service, CAL FIRE, BIA, Fish Wildlife & Parks, National Park Service, and Private
Acres: 8,337 Percentage Contained: 75%
Personnel: 655 Crews: 15 Engines: 18 Dozers: 3 Water Tenders: 12 Helicopters: 8
Size: The complex contains four fires and they are listed in priority: (1) Mill Fire 2748 acres, 60% contained, est containment 7/23/2008; (2) Monkey Rock Fire 1829 acres, 100% contained; (3) Big Fire 2193 acres, 100% contained; (4) Back Fire 1567 acres, 100% contained.
Current Situation:
Southern California Incident Management Team #3 remains in unified command with CAL FIRE. Yesterday saw the following events: (1) Mill Fire: on the northern portion, a spot fire (5 acres) occurred crossing containment lines. Firefighters on the ground were aided by aircraft and contained the spot fire. On the western, southwestern and southeastern flanks, the fire continues to be active (especially in the late afternoon) backing down towards Thomas Creek to the southwest and to the southeast. Fire crews continue to construct and strengthen containment line, conduct backfires and are being aided by aircraft. (2) The Monkey Rock Fire, the Big and the Back Fires remain in patrol status. (3) One firefighter suffered a knee injury on the fireline and was airlifted to a local area hospital. The firefighter was treated and released and has returned to duty.
Residents and visitors in and around the area of the Mill fire will continue to see and smell smoke as the fire becomes more active during the heat of the day and firefighters conduct backfires to control the fires spread.
Special Concerns:
- Archery season began on Saturday in the fire areas. Hunters are cautioned to be aware of road closures in the area and the presence of fire traffic
- Portions of the M1 road are closed between the intersections of the M1 with the M6 and M61.
- The access road is closed to the Mill Fire, Road 20N04, to provide firefighting personnel safety.
- 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.
- Please be very careful with fire and smoking is the area. The fire danger is and will remain, very high.
- Pogie Point Campground at Lake Pillsbury remains closed and is being used as a sleeping area for firefighters.
- The Sanhedrin Wilderness remains closed and the southern portion of the Yuki Wilderness in the Upper Lake Ranger District also remains closed.
