10 July 12 Update
Incident: Low Gap Wildfire
Released: 7/10/2012
LOW GAP FIRE UPDATE July 10, 2012, 9:00 AM
Current Status
Management of the Low Gap Fire is currently under the command of Paul Kollmeyer's Type 2 Eastern Area Incident Management Team (IMT). Management of the wildfire will be transferred back to the Mark Twain National Forest tomorrow (July 11).
Crews continue to patrol for hot spots and mop up 100 feet into the fire. Containment line rehabilitation was initiated yesterday (July 9). The IMT will continue releasing assigned resources throughout today.
Today's update will be the last for the IMT. For further information on the Low Gap, visit the Mark Twain National Forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/mtnf. You may also call 573-341-7436.
Acreage
GPS acreage: 93 acres as of 5:00 p.m. July 9.
Containment
Containment is 100%
Values at Risk
If the fire escapes containment lines, it may threaten various private properties that include a boy's camp and a major powerline. Other values at risk include watershed and forest resources.
Structures Lost
No structures have been lost.
Resources Assigned
There are 104 personnel assigned to the incident. They include two hand crews, one camp crew, six engines, one helicopter, 3 dozers, one water tender and 40 Team overhead personnel. Assigned resources are being re-assigned or released back to their home units.
Cooperators
Forest Service, Missouri Department of Conservation, Reynolds County Emergency Management, North Reynolds County Ambulance Service, North Reynolds County Fire Protection District, and Reynolds County Sheriff.
Today's Plans
Firefighters are mopping up 100 feet within containment lines. Patrol will continue for hotspots. Resources not needed are being released throughout the day. Rehabilitation of containment lines will continue.
Fire Weather
Today's (July 9) weather for the Low Gap Fire is expected to be mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs will be in the high-80s. Winds will be 5-9 mph out of the northeast. Humidity will be 33 to 40% percent.
Fire Behavior
The wildfire is burning in timber blown down by a 2009 Derecho" wind event. It continues to smolder, but well within containment lines. Very dry fuels and heavy fuel loading create difficult conditions for control. Fuel bed depths range from one to four feet deep.
A derecho is a widespread and long-lived, violent straight-line windstorm associated with a fast-moving band of severe thunderstorms. Such windstorms carry almost hurricane force winds, and can cause significant damage. This derecho affected over 100,000 acres in its path. Fighting large wildfires safely and effectively in blown down timber requires a different tactical approach. The heavy fuel load created by the Derecho does not allow for traditional equipment, such as small dozers, to work in this fuel type.
Fire and Other Information
For information on the Low Gap Fire or other fires on the Mark Twain National Forest, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/mtnf. You may also call 573-341-7436.
