Stafford Fire and Happy Fire Daily Update
Incident: Stafford Wildfire
Released: 9/8/2012
Stafford Fire
&
Happy Fire
SITUATION UPDATE
September 8, 2012
8:00 a.m.
Current Situation:
Firefighters are aggressively working to suppress the Stafford Fire burning near Hayfork. The fire grew by 700 acres following ignition on September 5. As of 8:00 am today the fire is now at 2,485 acres. Due to aggressive round-the-clock firefighting using dozers and hand crews supported by helicopter bucket drops and fixed-wing retardant missions, the fire has been contained on the southern flank. Fire line construction is underway on the western, eastern and northern portions of the fire. In order to successfully contain the fire, combinations of direct and indirect tactics are being employed. Please see the Glossary of Firefighting Terms link for definitions of "direct", "indirect" and other terms.
Southerly winds will be light, but fire behavior will increase around noon. Movement of the fire north of Hwy 3 around Ewing Reservoir and Carter Gulch may be expected. The fire will continue to burn North East towards the Duncan Creek Drainage and has potential to spread over Hwy 3 to the southwest of Hayfork.
The fire is burning on steep slopes in heavy fuels. It has spotted up to one-quarter mile outside the perimeter by throwing embers ahead of itself. Yesterday the continued expansion of the fire moved toward populated areas prompting the mandatory evacuation of homes at Wildwood Road, Morgan Hill, and Wild Things area and including Barker Creek west to Big Creek Road, which involves Barker Creek Road, Farmer Ranch Road, Meadow Lane, Forest Avenue and all streets off Forest Avenue. An evacuation center is in place at the Solid Rock Church in Hayfork. Traffic on Hwy 3 is restricted and closures are possible.
The fire is being managed under Unified Command. Northern California Interagency Incident Management Team 1 (Nor Cal 1) along with an IC and support staff from the Shasta Trinity Unit of CalFire has been delegated responsibility for suppression of this fire.
Happy Fire which is located four miles northeast of Mad River started on September 5, 2012 and has burned fifty acres and is fifty percent contained. Crews will continue to improve the containment lines and continue to patrol and mop up. Happy Fire personnel consists of 2 Crews, 22 Engines, 2 Dozers, 1 Water tender.
Location: 5 miles east-southeast of Hayfork, California south of Highway
Start Date & Report Time: September 5 2012 at 2:42 p.m.
Cause: Under investigation
Acres: 2,485
Percent Containment: 15%
Estimated Containment: September 12, 2012
Resources: Hand Crews: 35
Helicopters: 6
Engines: 73
Dozers: 18
Water Tenders 16
Injuries: None
Estimated Cost-to-Date: $9,990,000
Total personnel assigned to the incident: 1,094
Additional Information: Additional fire information can be obtained by calling (530) 628-5459.
