Chalk Fire Daily Update - Oct. 9
Incident: Chalk Wildland Fire
Released: 10/9/2008
CHALK FIRE UPDATE
Monterey Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest
Thursday October 9, 2008, 8:00 AM
Goleta Fire Information Center: 805-961-5770 (8am-7pm)
Fire information online: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1551/
Fire Statistics
Acres burned: 11,189
Miles of fireline to build: 8
Date started: 9/27/08 (evening)
Percent contained: 74%
Expected containment: 10/17/2008
Firefighter injuries to date: 16 (1 minor hip injury on 10/8)
Structures threatened: 0
Structures destroyed: 0
Suppression cost to date: $13.29 million
Firefighting Resources
Crews: 21
Engines: 37
Helicopters: 10
Air tankers: 2
Dozers: 1
Total personnel assigned: 1,048
Current Status: The fire activity was very low overnight. Today crews will build direct line where possible and mop up existing lines in all divisions of the fire. Crews will also continue to backhaul equipment and trash. There continue to be occasional flare-ups in interior areas and some smoldering in heavy down fuels. Firefighters will monitor the fire and respond to hot spots. Rappel crews will be used to reach areas that are difficult to access by ground. Extremely steep and rugged terrain is making overall containment a slow and arduous process. Firefighter safety and structure protection remain top priorities. The demobilization of firefighting crews and equipment has started.
Evacuations: All evacuation watches and warnings have been lifted.
Highway, Road and Area Closures: Hwy 1 is open, but subject to traffic delays up to 20 minutes. Vehicles must travel 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: A Red Flag Warning has been issued for today through Saturday. Temperature 70-78 degrees; relative humidity 7-17%; 20-25% below 1500 feet near the coast; upslope winds 3-5 mph; becoming erratic 4-9 mph in the afternoon; ridgetop winds north 5-10 mph with gusts to 15 mph, increasing to 10-15 mph with gusts to 20 mph after 11:00am.
Agencies: This incident is now being managed by the U.S. Forest Service. 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.
Notice: There will be one update per day, issued in the morning. The Goleta Information Center will be staffed from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and a recorded update will be available after hours. Inciweb will be updated in the morning and evening.
