Slinkard Fire Update -- August 21, 2008
Incident: Slinkard Wildland Fire
Released: 8/21/2008
August 21, 2008 @ 8:00 a.m.
SLINKARD FIRE UPDATE
STATUS Estimated Acres Burned: 290 Estimated Percent Contained: 40% Expected Full Containment: August 24, 2008 Date Started: August 17, 2008Cause: Lightning Structures Threatened: 13 residencesRESOURCESCrews: 18 Engines: 21Helicopters: 4Dozers: 4 Water Tenders: 8Total Resources Assigned: 501 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Current Fire Situation: The fire is located approximately four miles southeast of Seiad Valley and is burning in timber with heavy fuels and pockets of multiple snags. Steep terrain, rolling burning material, and snags are limiting direct fire suppression opportunities along the northern flank of the fire. Fire behavior was minimal during the night and was limited to creeping and smoldering due to high relative humidity.
Today's Objectives: Fire crews will continue to provide point protection for structures along Highway 96 and will strengthen indirect hand lines and prepare for burning operations along the ridge system from Slinkard Peak to Highway 96 when conditions are favorable. Firefighters will hold the fire and mop up hot spots along the south, west and northwest flanks of the fire. Fire crews will assess the contingency dozer and hand lines south of the fire perimeter for suppression damage repair efforts.
Area Closures: The Klamath National Forest issued an emergency closure order (no. 08-05-674) for Forest Road 46N64 for the section within the Slinkard Fire area. A current forest closure map and description may be found at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath/conditions/0805674closure.shtml.
Evacuations: There are no evacuation orders at this time. Highway 96 is currently open to traffic this morning. For up to the minute road information call Caltrans at 1-800-427-7623 or www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/.
Remarks: Northern California Interagency Incident Management (NorCal) Team II continues to manage the Slinkard Fire for the Klamath National Forest. A community meeting was held last night at the Seiad Valley Fire Hall. The public should be prepared for possible delays along Highway 96 in Seiad Valley as the fire approaches the road.
Additional Information: A recorded line for Klamath National Forest fire information is available at (530) 841-4451. Additional fire information is also available online at www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath or http://www.inciweb.org/.
