Chalk Fire Update - Oct. 19 - 8:00pm
Incident: Chalk Wildland Fire
Released: 10/19/2008
CHALK FIRE UPDATE
Monterey Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest
Sunday, October 19, 2008, 8:00 PM
Goleta Fire Information Center: 805-961-5770 (8am-8pm)
Fire information online: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1551/
Fire Statistics
Acres burned: 14,666
Miles of fireline to build: 7.5
Date started: 9/27/08 (evening)
Percent contained: 79%
Expected containment: 11/01/2008
Firefighter injuries to date: 17
Structures threatened: 49
Structures destroyed: 0
Suppression cost to date: $18.2M
Firefighting Resources
Crews: 8
Engines: 25
Helicopters: 11
Air tankers: 10
Dozers: 4
Total personnel assigned: 601
Current Status: The firing operation which started about noon today was successful. Crews started from the dozer line approximately 2 miles north of the New Camaldoli Hermitage and burned south along the dozer line. As of this afternoon the firing had almost reached the Hermitage. Crews will continue with the firing operation into this evening as long as there is still opportunity to burn. Crews supported by helicopters and air tankers worked to hold the ridge NW of Twin Peak parallel with the Carizzo Trail. In the Limekiln State Park area, the fire is backing down slowly.
Tonight crews will continue to hold and support the firing operations. Structure protection continues in Limeklin State Park and the Hermitage. Cool temperatures and good relative humidity with light winds should result in minimal perimeter growth. Along the coast, below 1,500 ft. the marine layer will continue to be temperatures cool and moist throughout the night. Firefighter and public safety continue to be the highest priority.
Evacuations: On Friday, October 17, The Monterey County Sheriff's Department issued an EVACUATION WARNING for Limekiln State Park north to the New Camaldoli Hermitage. Approximately 9 residents are within the evacuation area. This stage of Evacuation Warning is given for affected areas where there is imminent threat to life and property. Persons who receive notification of this warning should evacuate in accordance with the direction given to them by Sheriff's Department Deputies who are on scene.
An EVACUATION WATCH was also issued by the Monterey County Sheriff's Department for Lucia north to Lopez Point. This stage of Evacuation Watch is for areas where a threat to life and property exists. Persons who receive notification of this watch are not required to evacuate but should be prepared to evacuate should an Evacuation Warning be issued. Significant resources (hand crews, engines and dozers) are engaged in structure protection.
Highway, Road and Area Closures: Highway-1 is open. Nacimiento-Fergusson Road remains closed, as well as South Coast Ridge Road, south to Willow Creek Road.
Weather: Below 1,500 ft. cloudy with fog; temperatures 48-53 degrees; RH 80-100%; winds NW 3-5 mph. Above 1,500 ft. clear; temperatures 54-59 degrees; RH 25-35%; winds NW-N 5-10 mph.
Agencies: The incident is currently being managed by a U.S. Forest Service, Type-2, Incident Command Team. Incident Commander Dana D'Andrea (USFS) of Central Coast Interagency Incident Management Team 7, assumed command of the incident at 6:00am yesterday, Saturday, October 18.
