Iron-alps Complex Update - August 10, 2008
Incident: Iron Alps Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 8/10/2008
Serious Accident: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is the lead investigative authority over H-44 helicopter crash on the north Buckhorn Fire. Any information related to the circumstances of the accident will be released by the NTSB. NTSB can be reached at (202) 557-1350 or (202) 314-6100.
Current Fire Situation: Movement of the Eagle Fire to the north and west, and the Buckhorn Fire to the south, pose an increasing risk to the community of Big Bar. The Eagle Fire remained active on its southwest flank yesterday and through the night. Strategic firing operation off of the 16 road held the westward flanking of the Eagle Fire. The Eagle Fire is expected to continue backing into Price Creek drainage today with a potential for southward upslope runs. The south flank of the Buckhorn Fire continues to actively back into the French Creek drainage. The Carey Fire remained relatively inactive and continues backing slowly into the Eagle Creek drainage.
Today's Objectives: Eagle Fire: Crews will continue to hold the southwest flank of the fire on the 16 Road using burn-out operations as necessary. Structural protection engines will be in place in the lower Price Creek drainage and will continue preparing for possible burn-out operations. Firefighters continue to patrol, mop-up, and hold already established containment lines along the fire's northern, eastern and southern flanks. Buckhorn Fire: Firefighters continue indirect fire containment line construction and preparation of Manzanita Ridge as a contingency line. Fire crews continue to provide point protection at both the Brooks and Lower Waldorf ranches. Carey Fire: Fire crews continue to hold the fire perimeter, patrol and mop up the west and east flanks of the fire. Cedar and Caraway Fires: Fire fighters continue to patrol, cold trail, and mop within 300 feet along the containment lines. Fire suppression damage repair continues in the Cedar Fire.
Area Closures: A Closure Order is in place by the Shasta-Trinity NF prohibiting public use of National Forest System lands south of Highway 299. Forest Road 60 from Hyampom to Burnt Ranch remains closed. A closure map and description may be found at: www.fs.fed.us/r5/shastatrinity/conditions.
Evacuations: There are no current evacuations associated with the Iron Complex fires.
Remarks: California Incident Management Team 2 released a Pubic Smoke Advisory for the Big Bar and surrounding areas for the next 5 to 7 days due to both increased fire activity and firing operations. Motorists should use caution on Hwy 299 in the Big Bar area due to increased smoke and fire traffic.
Additional Information: A recorded line for Shasta-Trinity National Forest fire information is available at (530) 226-2500 (press 2), Iron Complex fire information at (530) 623-6415, or Helicopter Incident information at (530) 226-2363 or (530) 623-4758/4158. Additional fire information is also available online at www.fs.fed.us/r5/shastatrinity or http://www.inciweb.org/.
