Fletcher Fire Update -- July 17, 2007
Incident: Fletcher Wildland Fire
Released: 7/17/2007
FIRE UPDATE: Fletcher Fire
Modoc National Forest
July 17, 2007
Fire Information:
(530) 233-5811 or www.fs.fed.us/r5/modoc/
Location: 20 miles northwest of Davis Creek, California
Date and Time of Fire Start: July 10 at 1:15 p.m.
Cause: Under Investigation
Fuels: Timber (Jeffrey pine, white fir, juniper) and grass
Cooperating Agencies: Forest Service (USFS), National Park Service (NPS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), Cal Fire (CDF), Westside-Thomas Creek Rural FD, Davis Creek Volunteer FD, US Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS), Modoc and Lake Counties, local government, Collins Pine Company, and private contractors
Estimated Fire Size: 5,800 Acres
Estimated Fire Containment: 20%
Estimated Expected Containment: July 20, 2007
Cost to Date: $1,100,000
Injuries to Date: 0
Committed Resources: 589 total personnel that include 21 Fire Crews, 42 Engines, 13 Dozers, 12 Water Tenders, 4 Helicopters, 6 Air Tankers, and fire support personnel
Structures Threatened: 4 Residences Structures Damaged: 0
Structures Destroyed: 1 Residence; 4 Outbuildings
Fire Activity: Extreme fire behavior torching, crowning, and long-range spotting up to one-half mile has been reported. Late Monday afternoon, fire crews near Point Ranch, along the Oregon border, observed extreme fire behavior. The fire produced tornado-like winds that up-rooted trees and caused tree tops to explode. "This was the most extreme fire behavior I've seen in 30 years," said Barry Hansen, Fire Management Officer for the Forest Service's Lakeview Ranger District.
Events: The Lakeview Interagency Fire Center in Lakeview, Oregon, is assisting the Modoc National Forest by supplying both air and ground fire suppression resources. Yesterday, firefighters constructed dozer line around the northwest and southeast flanks of the fire. The wind-driven fire has crossed into Oregon. The fire is also growing to the south along the west-side of Goose Lake in the direction of structures within the Cove Ranch area. Structures there are immediately threatened and structure protection is in place. Fire crews will continue constructing a combination of direct and indirect dozer line northeast around the fire. Firefighters will also hold and strengthen fire lines surrounding the northwest and southeast flanks of the fire.
Closures: Road closures are in effect for Modoc County Road 48, five miles west of Davis Creek; Crowder Flat Road at Forest Road 136, and the Westside Road near the California-Oregon border on the northwest side of Goose Lake.
Evacuations: Evacuations are in place for parts of Modoc County and Lake County along the westside of Goose Lake. At this time, no evacuation is planned for the town of Lakeview, Oregon.
Remarks: The fire has destroyed five structures at Point Ranch. California and Oregon agencies are working together and providing assistance in containing the fire.
Additional Fire Information:Please call (530) 233-5811. Please go to the Forest Service website for more information on fire restrictions and closures at www.fs.fed.us/r5/modoc/.
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