Antelope Complex July 8 Update, 9:00 PM
Incident: Antelope Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 7/9/2007
Fire Information
July 8 Update, 9 p.m.
Plumas National Forest
Phone: (530) 283-7882 / (530) 283-7883
Firefighting forces on the Antelope Complex have grown to over 1,300 personnel. Despite a challenging afternoon burning period, 21 percent containment has been achieved. Though most flanks saw growth on Sunday, winds out of the north limited fire spread on the northern perimeter toward the 395 corridor. Dozers made significant progress on containment lines on the northeast section this afternoon. Structure protection of cabins in the fire area has continued to be successful. The Wheeler Fire has grown to 18,100 acres and has no estimate of containment.
Firefighters will continue to work throughout the night. They represent a significant part of the operational strategy by securing containment line and burning out fuels as appropriate overnight, making success during the day more achievable.
A contingency plan has been prepared to provide adequate time for residents should it become necessary to evacuate in the Janesville and Milford areas. A town meeting is planned for Monday night at 7 p.m. at the Janesville Elementary Middle School gymnasium on Main Street in Janesville. Representatives of the County Office of Emergency Services and the Antelope Complex Incident Commander will be on hand to discuss fire activity, operations, and outlook as well as evacuation plans with members of the public.
Campers that left equipment at evacuated campsites around Antelope Lake as well as evacuated residents in the Hungry Creek, Frank Valley, Taylor Lake, and Wilcox Valley will also be permitted into the fire area at 9:00 a.m. Monday. They will be escorted by CHP from the checkpoint on Genesee-Antelope Lake Road to campsites and residences for the immediate retrieval of personal property. The same opportunity will be available through Wednesday, unless fire behavior prohibits entry. Affected members of the public should call (530) 283-7882 or (530) 283-7883 for more information.
Statistics: Acres - 18,100 Containment - 21 percent Personnel - 1,333
Helicopters - 9 Crews - 31 Engines - 43 Dozers -- 12
Outlook: Probabilities of containing line during the day are increased for Monday if overnight objectives are achieved. However, the chance of thunderstorms entering the area is also increasing for Monday and Tuesday. This includes the possibility of dry lightning Monday and a chance of accompanying rain by Tuesday. Wind events associated with thunder cells that do not bring wetting rain could significantly hamper containment efforts, or cause new fire starts in the area.
