Approximate Location
Incident Overview
The Flat Fire started on the afternoon of July 11 2012. It was one of two simultaneous starts adjacent to Highway 299 near Del Loma, about 16 miles west of Junction City California. The fires have been determined to be human-caused; the specifics are under investigation. The eastern of these two fires was contained by initial attack at .3 acres. The western fire, which became the Flat Fire, was already five acres in size and spreading rapidly when the first engine arrived. An immediate suppression strategy for full control was implemented and additional resources were ordered. The fire exhibited extreme behavior due to low relative humidity, moderate wind and steep slopes aligned with the wind direction. By 8:30 pm the fire was estimated to have grown to 300 acres with the potential to reach 1600 acres.
On July 12 local firefighting resources continued to fight the fire. The fire's rate of spread reduced somewhat due to changes in wind speed and direction and the construction of containment lines. A Type 2 Incident Management Team was ordered, and arrived by mid-afternoon for a briefing. The Northern California Interagency Incident Management Team 1 (Paul Whitcome, Incident Commander) assumed command of the fire on July 13. At the peak of firefighting activity, 622 people, 4 helicopters, 21 engines and 11 water tenders worked to suppress the fire. Containment lines were completed around the fire by early July 17. Light rain fell on the area July 17. Command of the fire returned to the Shasta-Trinity National Forest on July 18.
Basic Information
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
|---|---|
| Cause | Under Investigation |
| Date of Origin | Wednesday July 11th, 2012 approx. 05:03 PM |
| Location | Highway 299, two miles west of Del Loma |
Current Situation
| Size | 1,688 acres |
|---|---|
| Percent Contained | 100% |
| Estimated Containment Date | Wednesday July 18th, 2012 approx. 12:00 AM |
| Fuels Involved | Timber with hardwood litter and grass |
Outlook
| Planned Actions | Continue patrol through fire season. |
|---|---|
| Growth Potential | Medium |
| Terrain Difficulty | Extreme |
