Iron Complex Update August 16th 0800
Incident: Iron Alps Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 8/16/2008
USDA Forest Service ● Shasta-Trinity National Forest ● Public Affairs & Communications
3644 Avtech Parkway, Redding, CA 96002 ● Voice (530) 226-2500 ● Web: www.fs.fed.us/r5/shastatrinity
Update No. FS-08-0807-01 August 16, 2008 @ 8:00 a.m.
IRON-ALPS COMPLEXES
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STATUS RESOURCES
Apx. Acres Burned: 100,464 (Iron & Alps Complexes) Crews: 31 Engines: 67
Apx. Percent Contained: 79% (Iron & Alps Complexes) Helicopters: 12
Expected Full Containment: September 1, 2008 Dozers: 3 Water Tenders: 18
Cause: Lightning Date Started: June 21, 2008 Total Resources Assigned: 1,391
Structures Threatened: 1,177 (477 residences, 50 commercial, and 650 outbuildings)
UNCONTAINED FIRES Apx. Acres Apx. Containment
Eagle 31,545 77%
Buckhorn (partially in Trinity Alps Wilderness) 27,590 40%
Carey (Trinity Alps Wilderness) 3,288 62¬%
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Current Fire Situation: Fire activity increased late yesterday with increased winds and higher temperatures. The Buckhorn fire moved rapidly downhill and to the south, prompting accelerated firing operations to allow firefighters to stay ahead of the advancing fire. As planned by late evening flames and the concurrent firing operation reached the immediate vicinity of Big Bar, prompting a mandatory evacuation order. Containment lines on the south edge of Big Bar held. Internal islands will continue to burn out today. The Carey Fire remains relatively inactive and continues backing slowly into the Eagle Creek drainage.
Today's Objectives: Eagle Fire: Crews will continue to hold and mop up the south and west flank below the 16 road and hold and mop up new black line east and north of Big Bar. Structural engines are in place in Big Bar. Buckhorn Fire: Firefighters will continue firing operations on lower Manzanita Ridge and above the community of Big Bar. The intent is to back the fire down to control lines above the community of Big Bar. Structural protection strike teams will continue to prepare and staff Big Bar area. Fire crews continue to provide point protection at both the Brooks and Lower Waldorf ranches. Carey Fire: Fire crews continue to hold the fire perimeter, patrol and mop up the west and east flanks of the fire.
Area Closures: A Closure Order is in place by the Shasta-Trinity NF prohibiting public use of National Forest System lands south of Highway 299. Forest Road 60 from Hyampom to Burnt Ranch remains closed. A closure map and description may be found at: www.fs.fed.us/r5/shastatrinity/conditions.
Evacuations: Due to increased fire activity on the south end of the Buckhorn Fire, there is a mandatory evacuation in place for the community of Big Bar north of Highway 299. An evacuation center has been set up in Weaverville at the Veterans Memorial Hall.
Remarks: The Public Smoke Advisory remains in effect for the Big Bar and surrounding areas due to both increased fire activity and firing operations. Highway 299 is closed at mile markers 30 and 25.5, on either side of Big Bar.
Additional Information: A recorded line for Shasta-Trinity National Forest fire information is available at (530) 226-2500 (press 2), Iron Complex fire information at (530) 623-6415, or Helicopter Incident information at (530) 226-2363 or (530) 623-4758/4158. Additional fire information is also available online at www.fs.fed.us/r5/shastatrinity or www.inciweb.org.
