September 7, 2008 -- Firefighters Respond to Two N
Incident: Gulch Wildland Fire
Released: 9/7/2008
NEWS RELEASE
Release No. FS-080907-01 September 7, 2008, 4:00 p.m.
Media Contact: Don Ferguson (530) 226-2324
Firefighters Respond to Two New Fires on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest
REDDING, Calif. - Two fires of undetermined cause started on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest today.
At about 11:40 a.m., crews were dispatched to the Gulch Fire located on Hwy. 36, three miles NW of Platina. Eight air tankers along with helicopters, engines and ground crews are working on this fire, estimated to be greater than 500 acres, which is burning uphill towards the unoccupied Knob Peak Lookout site. Firefighters are working to hold the fire at the top of the ridge and contain it there. About 20 to 40 structures, some of them homes, are being evacuated in the Harrison Gulch area. A Type II Incident Management Team will assume command of this fire tomorrow.
At about 1:20 p.m. today, firefighters responded to the 130 acre Elmore Fire, located three miles south of Lakeshore in the Salt Creek area near Shasta Lake. Five air tankers along with helicopters, engines and ground crews quickly responded to the Elmore Fire site dropping multiple loads of retardant and water. This fire is extremely resistant to control and has spotted several times. There are structures threatened and evacuations have been ordered for areas east and west of Interstate 5 at Gregory Creek and at I-5 near Salt Creek. Local, State and Federal firefighters and equipment from all over the region are fighting this fire, and crews hope that lower temperatures and higher humidity this evening will help slow the fire.
Recorded fire updates on these fires can be accessed by calling 530-226-2500 and pressing selection "2".
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