Lightning Fires in the Eastern Sierra

[SCPD]

The Inyo National Forest has had 12 new starts today. The largest fires are in the Big Pine to Independence area. The Sage and Lodge fires are up Big Pine Canyon west of the town of Big Pine. The Oak Fire is on the Oak Creek road and is over 4,000 acres in size and the Seven Fire is located on the Onion Valley road. Campgrounds, a summer home tract, the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery, and some homes below the hatchery have all been evacuated. Most of the fires are burning downhill towards U.S. 395.

Fuel moistures in the Owens Valley are at all time record lows of 3% for 3-8" sized fuels, the so called "1000 Hour Fuels." The number of of vacancies in fire positions on the Inyo National Forest are so high that it is difficult to come up with incident commanders, operations section chiefs, and division supervisors. The vacancy situation is critical in all of the federal land management agencies, and not just in fire management. The dryness at many measuring stations in the southern portion of California is below all time lows. In Arizona, Nevada, and Utah the same situation exists with some stations showing moisture levels in the "1000 Hour Fuels" of 2%. To put this in persceptive lumber comes out of the kiln at 12%, and kilns are used to dry lumber in order to make it ready for sale and use. A 2 x 4 falls in the "1000 Hour Fuel" size class.

In spite of record dryness, the total acres burned is only about 100,000 acres ahead of the last ten year's average, and is around 1.9 to 2 million acres at present. Last year's total acreage burned was about 9.5 million acres. Most fire managers I've talked to are surprised at the relative quietness of the fire season so far. Most feel as though the other shoe could drop any time now. I am not exaggerating when saying the dryness is epic, lets hope the fire season is not.

The Carson City District of the BLM in Nevada has a large fire in the Pinenut Mountains just north of Topaz Lake south of the Minden area. There are voluntary evacuations of the Topaz Ranch Estates area.

UPDATE: The Oak fire just jumped U.S. 395 5 miles north of Independence and the highway is being shut down. Inyo County's 911 just went down. Apparantly some phone lines just burned up. It might be affecting Mono County's 911 as well. The fire is crossing 395 near the Fort Independence Indian Reservation.

 

[karldotcom]

this doesnt look good to me

Incident: 1183 Type: Report of Fire Location: BISHOP info as of: 7/6/2007 11:33:46 PM
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
11:11PM PER S2 PAUL DUNCAN IS ENRT TO R2 S 1020 AND NEEDS TO GET THRU CLOSURE / R2 COPIES
10:59PM R2 AND S2 COPIES - 98 AT DIV CRK FOR ESCORT
10:59PM PER ICSO NO END HEALTH AND HUMAN W/WHI EXPL W/RED X TRLR ENRT TO INDY
10:50PM WILL EVAC INDY CAMPGROUND
10:50PM 4 MADE CONTACT W/ON SCENE CDF AND WILL EVAC INDY
10:50PM PER 4 REQ UNIT TO EVAL OAK CREEK - THIS IS THE FIRE BURNING TOWARDS NO END OF INDY CAMPGROUNDUI
10:46PM HAS ICSO EVAL NW CORNER OF INDY
10:46PM 4 ADVS IS 1/2 TO 3/4 FROM THE CAMPGOUND AND 1 MILE TO 1*5 MILES FROM TOWN
10:43PM PER ICSO EVAC THE CAMPGROUND / 4 COPIES AND ADVS NOT IN IMED DANGER / FIRE IS MOVING EB
10:41PM PER 72-4 - CLOSURE ON ONION VLY RD OFF MARKET ST INDY / NEXT TO INDY CRK CAMPGROUND - INQ W/FD RE FIRE JNO CAMPGROUND / EVAC?
10:39PM ALL GOLD W/UPDATE ON 415C STATUS
10:39PM PER S2 - ADVS UNITS DOC ON 415C AND WILL HAVE AT OFFICE FOR 1345HRS ON
10:34PM REFERENCE DUPLICATE INCIDENT 2322D0706
9:58PM R2 AND 1 COPY
9:58PM ALL GOLD
9:58PM BARTELL AT 395 - IF THEY SHOW PROOF OF R AT FISH HATCHERY CAN RETURN / IF CAN SHOW PROOF OF R AT ABERDEEN CAN ENTER AT OWN RISK
9:40PM C72-1 CAN STAY 108 IN BIG PINE FOR ANY FURTHER CALLS
9:40PM PER ICSO CAN LET TRFC THRU
9:37PM PER 72-1 INFO FROM PASSERBY - NO FIRES VISIBLE FRM 266/168 TO US 39
9:17PM 1039 ICSO RE JAIL STAFF 97 BP CLOSURE
9:16PM 16
9:16PM ADVS 16 THAT FIREFIGHTERS TO COME AT THEIR OWN RISK - FIRE XING AT BLACK ROCK
9:16PM PER R2 - ICSO HAS ONCOMING JAIL STAFF 97
9:16PM LP FIREFIGHTERS TRYING TO GET THRU - POV RED FORD F350 AND WHI FORD RANGER W/LP TV ON THE SIDE
9:08PM 72-15 WILL BE IN AT 0200
9:07PM 1039 OFCR FOLWEILER
9:06PM PER S4 HAVE 72-15 COME IN 0200
9:04PM 1039 OFCR ROBERTS TO COME ON AT 0200
8:56PM 1039 VIA THE HOTLINE
8:56PM ALL GOLD ON SILVER AND COTTONWOOD
8:56PM PER 1 HAVE OTHER RD CLOSURE NOT RECOMMEND 168/395 AS AN ALTERNATE
8:52PM HWY JNO DIV CREEK IS ON FIRE AND MELTING
8:52PM PER INTERAGENCY FISH HATCHERY AT FISH SPRINGS - PER ICSO CLOSED AT BARTELL
8:51PM PER S3 - 21 DAY SHIFT 0707 TO COME ON AT 0200 TO RELIEVE 0706 UNITS
8:49PM PER R2 CAN LET FISH SPRINGS R S THRU - CK W/FIRE
8:49PM 1039 ENTAC W/UPDATED
8:49PM CT ETA TO LP CLOSURE FROM INYOKERN ETA 25 MIN
8:49PM 16 IS OK AT HER 1020
8:41PM 1021 MESS LEFT FOR I4 ON C FIRE WILL GO AT LEAST ALL NIGHT
8:39PM HWY DAMAGE FOR FUTURE REPAIR - NOTIFY CT / 10398 CT
8:37PM POSS NEW FIRE BREWING AT HOG BACK OFF WHITNEY PORTAL - ALL GOLD W/UPDATE
8:36PM ADVS S2 THAT MARK MCKIERNAN IS 97 W/BIG PINE 1020 - ROLL TO DIV CRK TO 98 W/S2
8:34PM PER 16 - ADVS INYOKERN CT / NB SHUT DOWN AT NO END OF LP / 1039 CT
8:28PM FIRE EXPECTED TO GO THRU THE NIGHT - PER INTERAGENCY
8:26PM PER 2 IS HEADING VEH S THRU DEATH VALLEY AND THEN NB
8:26PM PER S2 CLOSURE UNK DURATION
8:12PM 7 REQ 11X INYO REFRESHMENTS FOR INDY UNITS
8:04PM ICSO - REQ UNIT SHANNON PLAT FROM INYO CO RD RESP FROM BISHOP TO INDY DRIVING YEL CO TRUCK W/FLASHING AMBER / ALL GOLD
7:54PM BIG PINE TOWN HALL, OWENS VLY SCHOOL IN INDY FOR SHELTERS
7:43PM PER I-4; NO ON THE HELICOPTER
7:39PM PER S2 HAVE R2 RESP TO BIG PINE FOR ASSIST ON TURNING VEH S BACK
7:31PM PLS CONTACT I4 AND ADVS 105
7:31PM PER S3 ALL FOREST SERV HELOS HAVE BEEN GROUNDED DUE TO WINDS
7:30PM PER S2 OK ON UNITS NEG ON 71 UNITS TO RESP
7:29PM 16 AND S2 COPIES
7:29PM CT ON SO END HAVE CALLED OUT TO INYOKERN
7:27PM ICSO REQ H O/O FRESNO EVAC O/O ONION EVAL - NIGHT EVAL / AT THE ONION VLY TRAIL HEAD
7:27PM ICSO COPIES LN 103
7:23PM C72-1 RESP TO 168/395
7:15PM ENTAC CALLED BACK, 1039 UPDATES
7:15PM PER ICSO PLS COVER 168/395 - VEHS TRYING TO GET THRU OVER SALINE
7:12PM PER S2 HAVE HER CONT TO DIV CREEK CLOSURE AND HE WILL SPEAK W/HER / KESSLER COPIES
7:12PM BENNETT KESSLER WILL HEAD SB AND TRY TO GET THRU / S2 COPIES
7:08PM CT ENRT BUT NO CLOSURES IN EFFECT YET - CONTACTING PARTIES AND SOME CANNOT GET THRU / 16 COPIES
6:59PM 7 COPIES NOT TO LET FOREST POUND THRU AT THIS TIME
6:59PM PER S2 NEG ON MEDIA ENTRY - ONLY ENTRY BY FIRE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AT THIS TIME
6:57PM S4 TABOOSE CREEK CAMPGROUND
6:57PM S3 3985 AT POVERTY HILLS
6:57PM 4 AT ONION VLY RD
6:57PM 4 WAS UP ON ONION VLY RD PER 2
6:56PM 16 395 N FORT RD
6:56PM 7 395 AT FISH HATCH
6:56PM S4 TABOOSE CREEK
6:56PM 4
6:56PM 2 395 AT INYO
6:56PM PER S2 - NO ONE IN BETWEEN WHITNEY AND DIV CREEK
6:50PM I4 COPIES ALL UPDATES
6:50PM CONT LN 83, ABERDEEN CAMPGOUND HAS BEEN ADVSD TO EVAC
6:48PM PER S4 ABERDEEN HAS BEEN ADVSD
6:48PM S3 IS SB AT KLONDIKE AND REQ FROM S2 TO ADVS WHERE TO RESP TO
6:44PM VIDEO MAN AT INDY - FOREST POUND NOT IN MARKED / 1036 INDY UNITS IN THE BLIND
6:43PM 1039 MEDIA
6:41PM CLOSURE LP AND CLOSURE IN BP - 1039 CT
6:41PM S4 IS ENRT TO SHUT SB AT INDY
6:39PM 1039 INTERAGENCY
6:39PM S2 INFO FOR CDF 0 3563 IS AT BLACK ROCK - ADVS IS CLR AT DIV CREEK
6:39PM NB SHUT AT INYO ST PER 72-2
6:37PM PER ICSO SHUT NB IN INDY AND ICSO HAS SB AT BARTEL
6:30PM CDF 3563 BLACKROCK CLOSURE - TAKING OVER FOR S2
6:30PM 1039 OFCR CLELAND
6:29PM 1021 OFCR CLELAND AT HOME, NO ANSWER
6:28PM 1039 OFCR HUDACHEK
6:27PM PER ICSO US395 AT BARTELL SHUT DOWN TO SB TRAFFIC
6:26PM 1039 NANETTE CT//NEW INFO LINES, 60 , 61
6:25PM PER S4 CALL OUT GRAVEYARD EARLY
6:25PM S4 WILL BE 108 AGAIN AND HEADING SB
6:25PM S3 WILL BE ENRT SB TO COVER DIV CREEK AND ABERDEEN AREA
6:23PM HWY SHUT AT CROCKER AT 395
6:20PM 1039 ICSO LN 61
6:20PM CT DISPATCH WAS ADVSD AND WILL READVISE
6:20PM HAS SO SHUT DWN CROCKER AT 395 FIRE MOVING N FROM WHITNEY TO DIV CREEK
6:20PM CT SHUT DOWN IN LP - GET TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT TEAM OUT
6:14PM 1039 ENTAC
6:13PM PER S2 ADVS FIRE - FIRE CLOSING IN ON 8 MI QUICKLY
6:12PM 1039 CT, NANETTE
6:11PM PLS ADVS ENTAC
6:11PM 1039 I4
6:11PM ADVS I4 SHUTTING DOWN NB AT WHITNEY AND SB AT BLACK ROCK
6:10PM 1021 KATHEY AT CT//NO ANSWER
6:10PM 1021 ERICK//NO ANSWER
6:08PM PER ICSO,ALLOW WHI FORD W/ HORSE TRAILER CAN TO MOVE LIVE STOCK, AT OAK CREEK/395
6:07PM SB AT BLACKROCK AND 7 TO SHUT DOWN AT MT WHITNEY
6:05PM CT - TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT INFO - CT DISPATCH IS AWARE
6:01PM 2 ON NO END NEAR BLACK ROCK IN CASE NEED TO CLOSE RDWY
6:00PM PER S2 106 W/ONION VLY FIRE
6:00PM ICSO REQ CHP FOR RELIEVE OF DEPT GLACIER VIEW AT CROCKER
5:59PM PER S2 - 8 MI VIS IS 1/2 MILE / WILL ADVS FURTHER
5:54PM REFERENCE DUPLICATE INCIDENT 1402D0706
5:45PM NO FIRE IN THE AREA - JUST TRANSIENT SMOKE
5:45PM PER S2 -
5:45PM EVAL HWY AT 8 MI RANCH FOR SMOKE
5:41PM 4 WILL BE ENRT TO RELIEVE 72-2 NOW
5:33PM OAK CREEK AREA NEEDS ADDITIONAL - ICSO WILL ADVS
5:33PM 2 WILL STAY ON SCENE
5:20PM 2 COPIES
5:20PM S2 WILL BE ENRT TO WHITNEY AREA
5:20PM 4 ENRT TO RELIEVE 72-2
4:57PM 7 COPIES
4:56PM NOT EVEC OAK CREEK ONLY PREPARING
4:39PM 2 COPIES
4:39PM UPPER ONION VLY CAMPGROUND IS CODE 4 BUT FIRE IS NOW BELOW THAT CAMPGROUND - 2 S PARTY CANNOT ENTER AT THIS TIME
4:36PM SO UNIT WILL ADVS
4:36PM ONION VALLEY CAMPGROUND - CK W/SO SEE IF CAN ENTER / PARTY S FAMILY IS IN THE AREA W/O VEH AND CANNOT ENTER AT THIS TIME
4:21PM FOREST POUND CLAIMING TO BE FROM TV STATION JWO INDY CAMPGOUND - NO ID
4:16PM AT FOOTHILL RD?
4:16PM PER ICSO HAVE 2 MOVE TO THE 1ST CATTLE GUARD
4:15PM 2 IS ALREADY 97 AND PERFORMING 1184
4:13PM LINE 22, PER ICSO
4:13PM REQ FOR 1184 AT ONION VALLEY RD
4:05PM ICSO COPIES
4:05PM FISH HATCHERY AT OAK CREEK RD - 1184 FROM 72-7
3:50PM 1039 INTERAGENCY VIA HOT LINE / IN THE BLIND
3:50PM 7 COPIES CAMPGROUND CLR
3:39PM 7 IS AT THE FISH HATCHERY AND WILL CK THE CAMPGOUND
3:38PM 2 COPIES
3:38PM OAK CREEK CAMPGROUND HAS NOT BEEN EVACUATED YET PER ICSO
3:36PM PER 2, SCANNER STATING OAK CREEK HAS BEEN CLEARED
3:24PM 2,S4 AND 4 FROM PANGBORN
2:38PM 1039 ICSO
2:38PM CT ACTIVATING CMS AT PVILLE AND BISHOP RE FIRE
2:36PM REFERENCE DUPLICATE INCIDENT 1127D0706
2:34PM REFERENCE DUPLICATE INCIDENT 1127D0706
2:31PM 72-S4 COPIES
2:30PM ALL UNITS TO 1022
2:27PM 4 FOR ONION
2:27PM 16 FOR OAK CREEK
2:27PM JUST INFO NOT REQ CHP
2:26PM 15 ENRT FOR ONION VALLEY AREA
2:25PM PROTECTION FOR 7 PINES AND OAK CRREK AREA
2:24PM SOUTH OF ONION VALLEY
RESPONDING OFFICERS STATUS

 

[SCPD]

Did you pull this off of the CHP CAD site? I just visited that site and that level of detail is not longer available. As I monitored this incident yesterday I didn't think of bringing up the CHP CAD. I won't be making that mistake again! The CHP doesn't usually have much on their CAD when it comes to wildland fire but this was a different situation. They were pretty heavily involved as they were requested by the Inyo County Sheriff's Office fairly early on to help with evacuations.

 

[karldotcom]

Yes, I was reading it last night....rather that post a link, I just copy and pasted....unless they make an entry of some type, the logs disappear at midnight.

 

[Sac916]

Yes, I was reading it last night....rather that post a link, I just copy and pasted....unless they make an entry of some type, the logs disappear at midnight.

Their closed out incidents can sometimes be found under FILED INCIDENTS.

Also, the dispatcher has the ability to edit out portions of the Incident log, even the entire log itself. Often times you can find some very private, but it disappears due to a dispatcher going back and editing it out.

 

[Progline]

Is there an on-line stream covering the area? I seem to recall there was one in Inyo County a while ago, but was out of service for some time.

 

[trooperdude]

YubaNet

Yuba net has a really good website for wildfires:

http://yubanet.com/fire.shtml

 

[selgaran]

Things continue to look bad up there...

Incident: 0973 Type: Location: info as of: 7/7/2007 4:47:06 PM
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
4:46PM 1039 I4 W/ UPDATED INFO
4:45PM PER S4 - ALL OF INDY AND FT INDY HAS A MANDATED TO EVAC
4:39PM 1039 OFCR CLELAND
4:38PM 1021 OFCR HUDACHEK, LEFT MESSAGE AT HOME
4:36PM 1021 OFCR HUDACHEK, LEFT MESSAGE ON CELL
4:31PM PER 16 GETTING READY TO EVAC EB SIDE OF INDY
4:30PM PER 53 CT 97 AT PVILLE CLOSURE
4:29PM PER ICSO - NO ABERDEEN R S TO GO THRU FROM STEWARD
4:28PM PER 71-S1; 71-55 CAN STAY AT THE SOUTH END OF BEAT/ HAVE HIM COVER FROM THE GRADE SOUTH, AND CHECK THE GRADE OCCASIONALLY
4:25PM PASSABLE DIV CREEK TO INDY 4 LANE FOR EMERGENCY VEHS ONLY - S2 105 D FOR S4
4:23PM C WATCH BISHOP WILL NEED TO GO 108 AT 1800 - RESP TO S3 1020 AT IC BALL FIELD
4:20PM OLANCHA RES TO COME THRU? / PER ICSO CAN COME THRU IF PROOF OF RESIDENCY / 53 COPIES
4:17PM SCOTT ROGERS W/LACY LIVESTOCK TO OLANCHA AND LP / MAR F350 CRW 7W44855
4:10PM KCSO 97 AND HELPING 53 MAN THE CLOSURE AT PVILLE AND FRONTAGE RD AND 395
4:09PM 1039 INFO LINE 97, TO ICSO
4:08PM PER 53 2 KERN UNITS 97 AND CLOSURE
4:08PM FT RD AT INDY - FIRE JUMPED / PER S4 EVAC TO R S IN THE AREA OF FT RD HAVE BEEN GIVEN
4:06PM PER 53 CANNOT CONTROL THE FRONTAGE RD AT PVILL UNTIL THE IRP CT UNITS ARE 97 - ETA OF APPROX 10
4:06PM NEED TO EVAC RESERVATION
4:05PM FIRE HAS JUMPED RD AND IS HEADING TOWARDS EB SIDE OF THE RESERVATION - LP
4:03PM MATT KEMP TRYING TO GET FM BISHOP TO INDY IS IN WHI DODGE RAM TK PK
4:01PM PER 16 - CT IN LP / DWP TO INDY PLS FOR REMOVAL OF EQIP - 1039 CT
3:59PM PER S2 - S2 INDY TO BP, S4 INDY SO, S3 IC AT BP BALL FIELD
3:58PM 1039 GARDEA ETA 1 HR
3:57PM 72-3 WILL BE GOING 1010 NB FROM BIG PINE NOW
3:54PM 1039 ICSO
3:54PM PER S2 - CLRG OUT DIV CREEK REST AREA
3:51PM 16 AND 53 COPY
3:49PM PER CT UNABLE TO GET HELP FROM KERN COUNTY
3:48PM PER S4 - HAVE S3 RESP TO IC AT THE BIG PINE BALL FIELD
3:48PM PER CT-THEY HAVE ONE PERSON AVAIL FOR PEARSONVILLE ENRT FROM INYOKERN W/ A WATER TRK
3:47PM 1039 72-S3 WILL BE ENRT SHORTLY
3:47PM S4 HANDLING BIG PINE, HAVE S3 RESP TO RELIEVE S2 AT BLACK ROCK AND S2 CAN RESP SB
3:44PM 16 WILL BE CONTACT FOR CLOSURE AND EVAC AT SO END
3:44PM PER 59-S2 - OK TO RESP 59-53
3:44PM S2 COPIES
3:43PM S4 COPIES
3:42PM PEARSONVILLE - HAVE 53 RESP / CT COPIES AND WILL RESP W/CREW
3:39PM PER 72-S3 INQ FM 72-S2 IF ANY ASSIST IS NEEDED AND RECALL S3
3:35PM 18 COPIES W/LOUD SPEAKER
3:34PM 1021 OFCR STEEL NOT AVAIL
3:34PM 16 CLRG HWY 1ST AND THEN TO LP
3:34PM WB SIDE OF INDY TO LP W/LOUD SPEAKER
3:32PM S2 AND 16 AND 18 OFF THE HWY
3:32PM EVAC W SIDE OF INDY NOW - EVERYONE OFF THE HWY TO LP
3:28PM PER CT THEY ARE -97- AND HAVE A CMS ON HWY 6 AND JSO BISHOP NEAR JACK IN THE BOX
3:28PM PER S2 NOTIFY WHEN CT GOES -97-
3:23PM BISHOP FIRE - WARREN BOLING IN GRN HONDA TRYING TO GET THRU FROM INDY NB TO BISHOP / ALL GOLD
3:22PM BISHOP FIREMAN, WARREN BOLING, IN INDY--CAN HE GET THROUGH TO GET TO BISHOPPOSS IN A GRN HONDA
3:21PM S2 COPIES LN 65 / 16 COPIES
3:20PM PER INTERAGENCY COMMAND POST BIG PINE BALL FIELD
3:20PM WHERE IS INTERAGENCY IC?
3:17PM PER KRISTINA POSS FRIEND WHO IS STUCK AT DIV REST AREA
3:08PM PER ICOE; EVAC CENTER IN INDY HAS BEEN MOVED TO STATHEM HALL IN LP
3:06PM 1039 CLELAND,WILL STANDBY
3:02PM ICSO REQ CLOSURE AT BAKER CREEK AT CATTLE GUARD
3:01PM PER S2 - HAVE 2 RESP TO 72-3 AT BLACK ROCK
2:59PM PER S2 KEEP CLOSURE AT STEWARD
2:58PM 1039 CT
2:58PM CORR LN 55-CMS SIGN
2:57PM PER S2 - EMS JNO BISHOP AND ROUTE TO SR 6
2:56PM FIREFIGHTER THRU IN GLD CHEV W/LUMBER RACK
2:55PM 18 AT NB MAIN AT LOCUST
2:55PM 1039 HUDACEK,WILL STANDBY
2:54PM 4 IS AT STEWARD
2:53PM 4 SHOULD BE THERE
2:53PM S2 COPIES FROM DIV CREEK
2:53PM CT REQ CHP FOR HARD CLOSURE AT BIG PINE
2:45PM PER 16 - NB CLOSURE TO NO INDY HELO PAD / JNO INDY
2:44PM GIVE THE BISHOP C WATCH UNITS A HEADS UP - POSS COME IN AT 1800 / S2 WILL ADVS FURTHER
2:41PM PER 71-55 - WILL REMAIN ON SO END OF HIS BEAT FOR POSS COVERAGE OF BISHOP NO END
2:26PM PER S2 GIVE TO CT WHEN AVAIL
2:26PM ICSO REQ CHP TO SHUT DOWN AT LONE PINE
2:19PM HWY CLOSED AT INYO
2:19PM S2- FOR 18 CLOSE AT INYO / 72-18 COPIES
2:18PM 1039 KIBS FOR UPDATED ROAD CLOSURE
2:17PM HAVE CT RESP TO BIG PINE CLOSURE
2:14PM BURNING TOWARD DEHY PARK,ABOUT 4 MILES AWAY
2:13PM PER RP AT DEHY PARK,FIRE IS COMING TOWARD DEHY PARK
2:10PM NEED TO NOTIFY MEDIA
2:10PM PER TRISH AT CT, CREW FROM BISHOP ENRT FOR CLOSURE
2:08PM PER S2 - EMS SIGN SHOULD BE POSTED W/CT
2:08PM PER 16 - PAUL DUNCAN W/CT ENRT TO ASSIST
2:06PM PER ICSO BOTH BAKER CREEK AND BERNANSCONI HAVE BEEN HANDLED
2:05PM LL NOW W/ ICSO
2:05PM PER S4 ASC IF ICSO IS GOING TO HANDLE EVAC AT BERNANSCONI AND BAKER CREEK
2:04PM 1039 ENTAC,SERGEANT WHITING COPIES
2:04PM REFERENCE DUPLICATE INCIDENT 0328D0707
2:04PM 1039 TRISH SANDERS WILL RECALL WITH AN ANSWER
2:03PM 18 STAGE IN INDY AT INYO ST
2:03PM I4
2:01PM 1021 PAT HOWARD HM AND CELL NEG ANSWER
2:00PM TURNING PARTIES AROUND SO OF THE REST AREA
2:00PM 1021 TERI JOHNSON NOT AT HOME
1:59PM 1021 ANDY ROSSI NEG ANSWER
1:58PM 1021 NANETTE JOHNSON NEG ANSWER
1:58PM PER BARBARA TRY NANETTE FOR CT CREW FOR CLOSURE
1:56PM 1039 SO LN 16 - WILL TRY
1:55PM 1021 BARBARA COTE NEG ANSWER HM OR CELL
1:54PM PLS GET SO TO STAND BY JNO FORT RD AT CLOSURE
1:54PM 1021 KATHY ALDRIDGE NO ANSWER HM OR CELL
1:53PM PER 15 SB CLOSED JSO BLACK ROCK TO SB TRAFFIC
1:53PM S2 COPIES
1:53PM PER INTERAGENCY CLOSE JNO OAK CREEK AND JSO INDY
1:52PM 1039 72-18
1:47PM CALL IN 72-18
1:47PM ADVS I4
1:47PM INTERAGENCY ASKING FOR EVAC UPPER BAKER CAMPGROUND AND BERNARSCCOE SCHOOL
1:42PM S4 AND 16 COPIES
1:42PM 15 SHUTTING DOWN THE NB SIDE - 0 VISIBILITY
1:41PM 100 YARDS FROM THE HWY
1:37PM PER S4 HAVE 16 ROLL IF NEEDED
1:37PM 1039 ICSO
1:37PM FLARE UP EB SIDE JNO FORT INDY TOWARDS THE HWY
RESPONDING OFFICERS STATUS
2:14PM CHP Unit On Scene
2:45PM CHP Unit On Scene
3:02PM CHP Unit Enroute
3:50PM CHP Unit On Scene
3:59PM CHP Unit Enroute
4:00PM CHP Unit Enroute
4:04PM CHP Unit On Scene
4:32PM CHP Unit On Scene

 

[1979lee]

update as of 1500 hrs pdt best of luck to all concerned

Inyo Complex Wildland FireIncident Information Announcements News Pictures Maps
Summary
A thunder and lightning storm moved quickly through the Eastern Sierra Friday afternoon, July 6, 2007, igniting approximately 10 fires being managed as the Inyo Complex. As of 3:00 Saturday afternoon, the three biggest fires still actively burning are: 1)The Oak Fire burning west and north of Independence, on both sides of US 395 2) The Seven Fire burning west and north of Independence 3) The Sage Fire burning in Big Pine Canyon. All three fires are burning very aggressively at this time.

The following areas have been evacuated: Oak Creek Campground, Upper and Lower Grey's Meadow Campground, Onion Valley Campground, Seven Pines, Big Pine Canyon Camprgrounds, Independence Creek Campground, Baker Creek Campground, Glacier Lodge, Black Rock and Mt. Whitney Fish Hatcheries, and Fort Independence.

US 395 is closed from the Kern-Inyo County Line to Big Pine.

The roads up Big Pine Canyon, the North Fork of Oak Creek Canyon, and Onion Valley Road are also closed to the public.

When conditions are safe people will be escorted up Big Pine Canyon to retrieve their belongings.

No wilderness permits for the John Muir Wilderness are being issued for the trailheads between Baker Creek and Georges Creek.

The Sage Fire has now burned 5,000 acres and the Oak and Seven Fires have now merged and have burned 12,000 acres.

Basic Information
Incident Type Wildland Fire
Cause Lightning
Date of Origin 07/06/2007 at 140 hrs.
Location w/sw of Big Pine, n/nw of Independence
Incident Commander Unified Command

Current Situation
Total Personnel 425
Size 12,000 acres
Estimated Containment Date 07/18/0 at hrs.
Fuels Involved Brush, timber, and grass

Significant Events Evacuations are currently in effect for Oak Creek, Upper and Lower Greys Meadow and Onion Valley Campgrounds; Seven Pines; Big Pine Canyon Campgrounds,Black Rock and Mt. Whitney Fish Hatcheries, Fort Independence and Glacier Lodge. Numerous road closures.


Outlook
Planned Actions Structure protection, line construction, burnout.

Projected Movement Significant movement is expected.

Growth Potential Extreme fire behavior will limit control efforts.

Terrain Difficulty Steep, difficult access.

Remarks There is a very large amount of open line. Numerous structures may be threatened.


Weather
Current Wind Conditions 10 mph SW
Current Temperature 93 degrees
Current Humidity 12 %

 

[karldotcom]

I heard the area is without unleaded gas now....

 

[SCPD]

I was busy from 1300 to 2100 yesterday, primarily on a local repeater that covers the Owens Valley, advising mobile ham operators from out of the area of the situation. The road closures became very dynamic, but eventually led to the closure of U.S. 395 from Bishop in the north to Pearsonville at the Kern/Inyo County line in the south. The best alternative route was Highway 168 east to U.S. 95 in Nevada, south to NV 373 to CA 127 east of Death Valley National Park to Baker on I-15, and then south toward southern California. Some opted to go north to Tioga Pass and over to the west side, especially after the closure was moved to Bishop by early evening.

The Seven and Oak fires eventually joined and burned toward the town of Independence and the west side of town was evacuated. A dozer line was constructed just west of town and burning out operations from the line, supported by air tankers, was done. There was some threat to portions of the town of Big Pine, but line construction with burning out was done in that case also. This was due to the Warren fire which was started by lightning on the Warren Bench, just west of Big Pine.

One residence was lost along with two outbuildings. I'm not sure where these structures were located. It is very difficult to control a fire when the large fuel (3"-6" size class) moisture levels are at 3%. Lumber comes out of a kiln at 12% and is considered ready for sale and use at that point. There are many locations in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah at an epic dryness of 2% in these large fuels.

There was a fire shelter deployment at the Mt. Whitney fish hatchery where three fire fighters went into a pond and used their fire shelters to protect their heads. All three are being treated for burns, at least one of them who received third degree burns on his head. It is unknown what agency these firefighters were from. The state of the hatchery is unknown.

The only area that has not had a great deal of fire activity this year so far is the northeast, although Minnesota had some fires earlier in the spring. The south seems to be calming down, with only 19 starts yesterday and one large fire still uncontained.

A Type I incident management team has taken over the Antelope Complex on the Plumas National Forest. There are now 55 large fires burning in the U.S., 24 of which started yesterday. There were a total of 419 new wildland fires yesterday and over 200,000 acres burned. This is over 100,000 acres greater than the average of the last 10 years to this point in the year. So far, considering the dryness existing, the fire season has not been as active and disastrous as many in fire management would expect.

It appears that cuts in the federal wildland fire management agencies of 25%-30% made over the last 2-3 years is causing difficulties in getting enough resources to extended attack fires. Move up and cover for stations left vacant is not happening. Cuts in the non-fire management budgets for these agencies have reduced the number of people available to form fire crews and to work overhead positions on large fires. The forced outsourcing of radio and vehicle maintenance has left radio systems not working properly and apparatus on delayed response and out of service - mechanical more than I've ever observed. The administrative net, which would be an entirely second communications channel for the Inyo National Forest was partially installed 4 years ago, but not completed when the Forest Service radio tech retired just before the outsourcing began. The installation has not been completed in all this time by the incompetent and less than ambitious contractor. Meanwhile, my ex-coworkers, of those who have not retired, are just doing the best with what they have, while watching the effect of what all the shortages have caused. My hats off to them!

 

[RobertW1]

I was busy from 1300 to 2100 yesterday, primarily on a local repeater that covers the Owens Valley, advising mobile ham operators from out of the area of the situation.

Exsmokey, what's the frequency of the repeater you are working?

KI6IMF

 

[ScannerDude244]

yesterday I heard Monterey county getting type 3 strike team together. I wonder if they up north to those fires.

 

[1979lee]

no... oh man not the fish hatchery, errr, that was one of my favoriet spots in the eastern sierra, hope the fire personal will be ok, errrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[RobertW1]

From the South Ops News n Notes:

CAL FIRE Engines Burned Over-Inyo Complex
At the Inyo Complex yesterday afternoon, a CAL FIRE strike team of engines was conducting evacuations near the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery with one civilian evacuee. Due to severe fire activity, one engine was severely damaged and a second engine sustained minor damage during the evacuation. Three of the firefighters that were entrapped sustained MINOR burns. The three firefighters assigned to those engines were transported to the Fresno Burn Center and a CAL FIRE liaison was assigned to follow up. Two of the firefighters were treated and released. The third is being held with high Carbon monoxide levels and suffering from a preexisting cold. An engine sustained paint damage & burns to the upholstery and another engine sustained major damage,
A CAL FIRE Serious Accident Investigation Team has been dispatched.

There was a fire shelter deployment at the Mt. Whitney fish hatchery where three fire fighters went into a pond and used their fire shelters to protect their heads. All three are being treated for burns, at least one of them who received third degree burns on his head. It is unknown what agency these firefighters were from. The state of the hatchery is unknown.

 

[trooperdude]

Helo crash on Zaca fire

At approximately 4:07 PM yesterday, a contract helicopter fighting the Zaca Fire was involved in a helicopter accident. The helicopter was working out of the Figueroa Helibase on Figuera Mountain Road. The accident occurred while the Helicopter was lifting off from the helibase. Two people were on board. The pilot and co-pilot have been transported to a local hospital by ground ambulance for minor injuries.
http://www.yubanet.com/fire.shtml

 

[SCPD]

Exsmokey, what's the frequency of the repeater you are working?

KI6IMF

The Silver Peak 146.940 MHz repeater. Much of the traffic was on the 146.760 machine on Mazourka, but I'm completely out of the area that repeater can work in. I made announcements as I heard or read something of significance about the fire or road closures. I gave people alternate route of travel information. It was fun to be able to help. There were sure a lot of hams on the air that day and very good information exchange.