Inyo Complex Fire Update July 11, 2007
Incident: Inyo Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 7/11/2007
Inyo Complex Fire Update
July 11, 2007
On Scene Contact: Jim Wilkins or Marc Peebles, Fire Information Officers
(909) 815-3967
Inyo Forest Contact: Nancy Upham, Public Affairs Officer
(760) 873-2427
Fire Status: Active
Location: Eastern Sierra
(Big Pine and Independence area) Inyo National Forest Percent Contained: 80%
Acres Burned: 35,176 Date Started: July 6, 2007
Cause: Lightning Injuries: 9 Minor
Full Containment Expected: July 12, 2007
Resources: Hand crews 21 Engines 53
Helicopters 1 Water Tenders 7
Air Tankers 0 Dozers 0
Total personnel assigned to fire: 480
A lightning storm moved quickly through the Eastern Sierra Friday afternoon, July 6, 2007, igniting approximately 10 fires, which are being managed as the "Inyo Complex". The three largest fires, which have burned, are the Oak Fire located west and north of the Town of Independence and on both sides of US 395. The Seven Fire has burned west and north of the Town of Independence and the Sage Fire, which has burned in Big Pine Canyon. On July 7, 2007 Southern California Interagency Incident Management Team 3 assumed command of the fire and remain in unified command with CalFire.
On July 7, 2007 the western portion of the Town of Independence was evacuated for several hours (approx. 200 residents) as the town was immediately threatened. Approximately, 20 residents were evacuated to Statham Hall in Lone Pine, CA. The remainder of the evacuated residents sought refuge with friends and relatives in nearby towns and the Diaz Lake Area.
Firefighters continue to make excellent progress improving containment line and mopping up hot spots. Due to the progress made on containment, firefighting forces are beginning to be released to be available for other fires. Residents will continue to see smoke in the high country as the area is inaccessible and too dangerous for firefighters to mop up. The fire high country will burn itself out in the rock escarpments and will be closely monitored. In the next few days a scaled down firefighting force from the Inyo National Forest will be assuming command and will remain on the fire for several days
Smoke impacts in the Eastern Sierra currently non-existent however; motorists should be alert for blowing ash and dust across US 395. Fire apparatus traveling in and through communities and US 395 may impact residents and the traveling public.
Firefighters Injured:
·q At approximately 3:30pm on July 7, 2007 three Firefighters sustained minor burns while on the fire line. The Firefighters were transported to a burn center for evaluation and treatment.
·q On July 8, 2007 one firefighter sustained minor burns while on the fire line and was transported to a burn center for evaluation and treatment.
Areas Closed:
·q Oak Creek Campground, Black Rock and Mt Whitney Fish Hatcheries. Remain closed.
Areas Opened:
·q Upper and Lower Grey's Meadow Campground, Onion Valley Campground Seven Pines Recreation residence tract, Big Pine Canyon Campgrounds, Glacier Lodge, Bernasconi Center, Glacier Pack Trains, Birch Lake, Onion Valley to Kearsarge Pass and Taboose Pass have been re-opened.
Road Closures:
·q North Fork Oak Creek Canyon
·q Oak Creek Rd (open to residents only)
Roads that have been opened:
·q US 395
·q Glacier Lodge Rd
·q Onion Valley Rd
Trail Closures:
·q Sawmill Pass
·q Baxter Pass
Trail Openings:
·q Baker Creek, Big Pine Canyon, Birch Lake, Red Lake, Taboose Pass, Kearsarge Pass, Shepard Pass &
Georges Creek
Incident Priorities:
·q Protect life and property while engaging in sound risk management.
·q Confine the fires west of US 395.
·q Prevent fire form entering the Town of Independence.
·q Avoid, mitigate or eliminate all identified hazards.
·q Provide timely public information on current and predicted fire conditions.
Weather, Fire Behavior and Smoke Conditions:
Thunderstorms build-ups remain a possibility for today
Agencies Involved:
US Forest Service (USFS), California Dept. of Forestry & Fire Protection (Cal-Fire), California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), BLM, Los Angeles DWP, Inyo County Sheriff, Mono County Sheriff, CHP, Caltrans, California Dept of Fish & Game and American Red Cross
Southern California Interagency Incident Management Team 3
Dave Fiorella (USFS) and Rodger Thompson (CalFire) Unified Incident Commanders
For more information on the web please go to:
www.inciweb.org
