Alps Complex Update July 7, 2008
Incident: Alps Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 7/7/2008
Trinity Alps Wilderness
Current Fire Situation: The Granite and Carey fires remain the priority fires within the Alps Complex. The fires could be more active today with temperatures rising and the humidity decreasing. Even though crews have increased the containment on the Granite fire to 75% there are still some concerns with the north end of the fire and crews will be monitoring the burning islands within the interior of the fire. Crews made good progress on the Carey Fire increasing the containment from 5% to 25%.
Planned Actions: Both the Granite and Carey fires are within the Trinity Alps wilderness and crews working on these fires are using Minimum Impact Suppression Techniques (MIST). MIST is the concept that the actions taken in putting the fire out are the minimum necessary to actually control the edge of the fire. Where possible, crews use natural fuel breaks like rock slides and streams and as on the Granite Fire existing trail systems as containment lines. MIST is basically a 'do least damage' philosophy.
Today, Crews on the Granite Fire will continue to work the perimeters to increase containment. Rolling logs and debris and burning snags falling across the line are a challenge. Crews on the Carey fire will be working hotspots on the northeast portion of the fire as well as working to get line in on the southeast section. Heavy downfall and steep terrain are challenges facing the crews today on Carey.
Weather: Weather today will be hot and smoky with temperatures ranging from the low to high 90s. The weather is predicted to get warmer and dryer over the next few days.
Alps Complex Status
Changes in fire status: The status of the following six fires, Soldier, North Fork, Bacon, Gorge, Thurston and Gwin, is being changed to Unable to Locate (UTL). They were initially reported by lookouts and/or through aerial reconnaissance after the lightning burst on June 21st. Current reconnaissance has not picked up any activity on these fires. These locations will continue to be monitored throughout the summer or until it can be verified on the ground that the fires are out.
Location: In the Trinity Alps Wilderness
Cause: Lightning
Estimated Number of Fires: 11
Granite - 517 acres
Carey - 208 acres
Willow - 38 acres, contained
Devils - 6 acres, contained
Pony - 3 acres, contained Bacon - 2 acres UTL
Gorge - 1 acre UTL
Gwin - 7 acres UTL
North Fork - 8 acres UTL
Soldier - 2 acres UTL
Thurston - 2 acres UTL·
·Unable to Locate
Total estimated acreage: 792 acres
Percent contained: 65%
Resources Committed: Great Basin Type 2 Incident Management Team, 3 crews, 3 engines and 8 smokejumpers
For further information: call the Shasta-Trinity National Forest recorded fire information hotline at (530) 226-2500 selection 2 or Shasta-Trinity National Forest fire information (530) 226-2368 between 8 AM to 8 PM.
