North Schell Fire Update June 24, 2012
Incident: North Schell Fire Wildfire
Released: 6/24/2012
North Schell Fire Update
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Red Flag Warning
Size: 11,987 acres
Percent Contained: 77%
Resources: 4 Helicopters; 4 Engines; 5 Crews; 1 Dozer
Total Personnel: 235
An Incident Meteorologist recorded sustained winds of 26 miles per hour and gusts of 35 miles per hour at the North Schell Fire Incident Command Post on Saturday afternoon. Winds directly over the fire area, however, were less severe. Minimal fire activity was observed, and the fire has not grown in acreage during the past two days. A handcrew assessed a section of fireline on the southeastern edge where Friday's crown-run occurred to check for spot fires.
Several resources were demobilized from the fire yesterday, some of which were sent on to other fires. The remaining resources will patrol the entire fire perimeter today and continue rehabilitation efforts on sections of fireline.
Today is the fourth straight day that the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for high winds and low humidity and the second day that they have issued a wind advisory. It is highly likely that a Red Flag Warning will be issued again tomorrow, and the critical fire weather conditions may persist through the early part of the week.
Today will be the final shift for the Incident Management Team. A Type 3 Incident Commander will assume control of the fire at 0600 tomorrow morning. Four handcrews, 4 fire engines, and 2 helicopters will remain on the fire. At this time, managers anticipate the fire will be fully contained by July 4th.
Firefighter and public safety is the number one priority on the North Schell Fire. The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest has issued a Fire Closure Special Order for the Indian Creek Road. The Kalamazoo Road and Recreation Site will also remain closed until further notice; all other recreation sites in the area are open.
The North Schell Fire began on June 9th as a U.S. Forest Service prescribed fire. Since it was declared a wildfire on Sunday, June 17th, the fire has been managed jointly by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and Nevada BLM's Schell Field Office.
For more information, go to http://bit.ly/LZJcmx or contact Public Information Officer Jesse Bender at (877) 262-1573, or Patti Bute, BLM Ely District fire information officer at (775) 289-1905 or pbute@blm.gov
