Hat Creek Complex Fire Update - August 9, 2009
Incident: Hat Creek Complex Wildfire
Released: 8/9/2009
HAT CREEK COMPLEX
Lassen NF
Fire Information Number: 530-336-1026
Twitter.com/NorCalTeam2
Sunday, August 9, 2009 - 9:00am
Today's Update: Northern California Incident Management Team II (NorCal Team II) is managing the Hat Creek Complex for the Lassen National Forest. There are three large fires and 34 small fires, all on the Hat Creek Ranger District. The three large fires are the Butte Fire, Brown Fire, and the Sugarloaf Fire. The 34 smaller fires are all controlled or out. Fire managers are planning to transition command of the fire to a Type 3 organization on Monday, August 10. Demobilization of excess resources continues.
Earlier in the week, the Brown Fire threatened 30 structures near Hat Creek and the Sugarloaf Fire threatened approximately 100 structures near Old Station.
Today, firefighters will continue to mop-up hot spots and strengthen containment lines. Additionally, fire suppression repair has been initiated on the Brown and Sugarloaf Fires. Patrol and mop-up of the 34 additional fires on the Hat Creek District continues.
Estimated Total Complex Size: 11,269 acres Estimated Total Complex Containment: 80%
Estimated Individual Fire Size / Containment:
Sugarloaf Fire: 9,356 acres / 80% Brown Fire: 1,865 acres / 100% Butte Fire: 48 acres / 100%
Estimated Complex Containment Date: 8/12/2009
Estimated Cost to Date: $7,000,000 Cause: Lightning Injuries: 1 (ankle injury)
Resources: 27 crews, 1 helicopter, 37 engines, 1 dozer, 18 water tenders Total Personnel: 927
Evacuations: All evacuations lifted.
Closures: The following areas in the Hat Creek Valley remain closed pending further evaluation of hazards: Hat Creek, Cave, Rocky and Bridge Campgrounds, Old Station Picnic Area, Bridge Day Use, and Hat Creek Rim Overlook. The Honn and Big Pine Campgrounds, Subway Cave, and Spattercone Trail were opened yesterday. It is anticipated that additional campgrounds and recreation facilities will be opened later today. For additional Hat Creek Recreation Area information, see the Lassen National Forest website at www.fs.fed.us/r5/lassen or call the Hat Creek Ranger District Office at 530-336-5521.
The Lassen National Forest has closed a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail through the fire areas - between Twin Bridges and Baum Lake. For current trail conditions, go to http://www.pcta.org/
Although all roads in the area are open, motorists are advised to use extreme caution as fire crews are still working in the area. Additionally, motorists will see some residual smoldering and smoke when driving through the fire area.
Remarks: All electric power and telephone services have been restored to the communities in the Hat Creek Valley affected by the fires. State Route highways 89 and 44, in Shasta and Lassen counties, are currently open.
