Chalk Fire Morning Update, Oct. 5
Incident: Chalk Wildland Fire
Released: 10/5/2008
CHALK FIRE UPDATE
Monterey Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest
Sunday October 5, 2008, 8:00 AM
Goleta Fire Information Center: 805-961-5770 (8am-8pm)
Fire information online: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1551/
Fire Statistics
Acres burned: 12,168
Miles of fireline to build: 21
Date started: 9/27/08 (evening)
Percent contained: 37%
Expected containment: 10/17/2008
Firefighter injuries to date: 11
Structures threatened: 19 residences; 30 outbuildings
Structures destroyed: 0
Suppression cost to date: $8.43 million
Firefighting Resources
Crews: 23
Engines: 88
Helicopters: 10
Air tankers: 2
Dozers: 9
Total personnel assigned: 1,253
Current Status: Due to Saturday's rain, very little fire activity occurred yesterday and last night. Interior islands of vegetation continued to burn, accounting for the acreage increase over the past 24 hours. Firefighters took advantage of the rain, lower temperatures and higher humidity to hold and improve containment lines on the southwest flank in the Prewitt Ridge area and the west flank along Hwy 1 to Hare Canyon.
Fire activity is expected to be low today. On the east flank, crews will build line from Nacimiento Campground north and west to San Antonio Trailhead on Cone Peak Road. On the west flank, firefighters will concentrate on suppressing the fire along Hwy 1 with heavy support from water dropping helicopters. Crews are establishing indirect hand line where possible from Hwy 1 to Twin Peak.
Evacuations: There currently are no Evacuation Warnings. An EVACUATION WATCH is in place for residents in the following areas: the immediate fire area west of Chalk Peak and South Coast Ridge Road (Alms Ridge, Dempsey Flats and Prewitt Ridge areas), Lucia, Mill Creek, Hare Creek and Limekiln State Park. Persons issued this notice are not required to evacuate but should be prepared to evacuate should an Evacuation Warning be issued.
Highway, Road and Area Closures: Hwy 1 is open, but subject to traffic delays up to 20 minutes. Drivers should proceed slowly and watch for debris and emergency equipment and crews. Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd is closed. South Coast Ridge Rd is closed from Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd to Willow Creek Rd. Limekiln State Park is closed. Mill Creek Day Use area is closed due to emergency equipment in the area.
Weather: Temperature 77 degrees; relative humidity 36%; north winds at 5 mph, gusting to 11 mph. A warming trend will begin today. Temperatures are expected to increase about 5 degrees each day and humidity decrease as much as 10-15% through Wednesday.
Agencies: This incident is being managed under Unified Command with the U.S. Forest Service and Fort Hunter Liggett. The Incident Command Post is at Fort Hunter Liggett. Media access to Fort Hunter Liggett is restricted. Contact the Goleta Fire Information Center for assistance.
