The Aspen Fire was discovered on Monday, July 22 burning on the Sierra National Forest- High Sierra Ranger District. The fire is burning around Stump Springs Road north of Aspen Springs.
Additional resources continue to arrive, assisting in fire suppression. Sierra National Forest initial suppression efforts, crews were able to keep the fire from burning into the Kaiser Wilderness. Firefighter and public safety remains the highest priority.
The South Central Sierra Interagency Incident Management Team assumed command of the Aspen Fire at 6:00 P.M. July 24, 2013. The team is working with the Sierra National Forest to manage suppression efforts.
Smoke from the Aspen Fire is impacting air quality in local communities. Individuals sensitive to smoke are suggested to remain indoors and keep windows closed, to minimize exposure to smoke.
The fire is in steep, rugged, inaccessible terrain. There is no imminent threat to the communities of Big Creek or Huntington Lake at this time.
Smoke from the fire continues to impact air quality in local communities. Crews will utilize firing operations over the next three days to assist with enforcing containment lines. Firing operations are actions taken to remove unburned fuels between the active fireline and the contingency lines which fie crews have been creating over the past several days. The operation will put additional smoke into the atmosphere.
An air quality monitoring device has been installed at the Huntington Lake Volunteer Fire Station. The device will provide smoke data from the Aspen Fire to the air resources advisor and the area air pollution control districts.
For most recent fire information click on the recent articles on the right.
Road and Trail Closures
Roads:
Stump Springs Road is closed to all traffic due to fire suppression activity.
Minarets Road (4S81) from Fish Creek to Jackass Rock Organization Campground, Grizzly at Beasore Road to Minarets Road are closed to the public. Residents within the road closure are allowed into the area with valid identification.
Trails:
Per the U.S. Forest Service Closure Order number 15-13-09, the Kaiser Wilderness is closed.
Evacuations
Additional campground closures went in to affect as a precautionary measure. Campground closures within the Sierra National Forest are as follows:
-Sample Meadow
-West Kaiser
-Jackass Rock Organization
-Lower Chiquito
-Little Jackass
-Soda Springs
-Placer
-Sweet Water
-China Bar
-Rock Creek
-Wagners Mammoth Pool Resort
Campgrounds closed to support firefighting efforts:
-Rancheria
-Badger Flat
-Midge Creek
Update 9-23 0900: 22,791 acres and 95% contained
Update 8-23 0900: 22,791 acres and 95% contained
Update 8-22 0900: 22,791 acres and 95% contained
Update 8-21 1900: 22,791 acres and 95% contained.
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| #AspenFire taken by Matthew Mehle. |
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| NWS looping view from space of smoke from the #AspenFire. |
Update 8-17 0900: 22,800 acres 90% contained
Update 8-16 1900: 22,546 acres 90% contained.Demobilization is ongoing. There are no night operations on this fire since the Type III organization took over. There will be minimal observed fire behavior in the 0600 209. 100% containment is not expected until around 8/30/2013.
Update 8-16 0900: 22,546 acres 90% contained.Demobilization is ongoing. There are no night operations on this fire since the Type III organization took over. There will be minimal observed fire behavior in the 0600 209. 100% containment is not expected until around 8/30/2013.
Update 8-15 0900: 22,546 acres 90% contained. Continue mop up and patrol in North and South Repair. Monitor and use M.I.S.T as needed in Division M. Update 8-14 1900: 22,546 acres 90% contained. Continue mop up and patrol in North and South Repair. Monitor and use M.I.S.T as needed in Division M. There is no night shift on this fire so these actions will continue tomorrow.
Update 8-13 1900: 22,546 acres 90% contained.
Significant Events: Closure on the Stumps Springs Road remains in effect. Trail closure continues in the Kaiser Wilderness with the public being warned of the danger of hiking trails in proximity of the incident.
Remarks: Demobilization is ongoing. Suppression repair and mop up in North and South Repair. Fire continues to burn in Division M up against sub-alpine rocky ridges and peaks in the Kaiser wilderness. A Wildland Fire Module will continue to monitor fire progression and contain fire growth where they can safety engage the fire. As Aspen resources become available they are being offered up for re-assignment to other incidents. Fire has been been divided into North Repair, South Repair, and Division M. No night operations on this fire since the Type III organization took over. There will be no recorded fire behavior for night shifts included in the 209. We will utilize the NWS weather data for input into block #30 of the 0600 209. IR flights will be flown every other day. Therefore more accurate mapping will increase or decrease projected acreage from the previous 209's. Today the incident accessed Isuite to get a more accurate cost to date. This explains the descrepency between this 209's cost and that of the last few days.
Observed Fire Behavior: Division M continues to burn into natural barriers within the Kaiser Wilderness. All other Divisions continue to cool as fire burns out the ground fuels.
Planned Actions: Continue mop up and patrol in North and South Repair. Monitor and use M.I.S.T as needed in Division M. No night operations so these actions will take place during tomorrows day shift
Update 8-13 0900: 22,546 acres 90% contained
Type 3 organization (McCandliss)
Demobilization is ongoing.
Type 3 organization (McCandliss)
Demobilization is ongoing.
Update 8-12 1900: 22,400 acres 90% contained
Type 3 organization (McCandliss)
Update 8-10 0900: 22,253 acres 85% contained
Central Sierra Interagency Incident Management Team (Cooper) remains in command.
Central Sierra Interagency Incident Management Team (Cooper) remains in command.
Stump Springs Road and Kaiser Wilderness trails remain closed.
Update 8-9 0900: 22,172 acres 85% containedCentral Sierra Interagency Incident Management Team (Cooper) remains in command. Continue 300 ft. mop up. Monitor and construct lines as needed. Direct line continues to hold. The SCSIIMT will transition command of the incident back to the forest on August 11, 2013 at 0600. The type 3 team began shadowing today. Demobilization is ongoing.
Update 8-9 0900: 22,172 acres 85% contained
Central Sierra Interagency Incident Management Team (Cooper) remains in command.
Most remaining fire activity is interior and burning on the south end of the fire.
Firefighters continue suppression repair and mop-up today
Update 8-8 1800: 22,090 acres 80% containedSuppression repair on North and South contingency continues.
Wildland fire modules will continue to monitor fire progression and contain
fire growth where needed. Direct line continues to hold. Forest Road 4S81
was opened at 1800 on 8/7/2013. Stump Springs Road still remains closed
Update 8-7 1800: 22,090 acres 80% contained
Suppression repair on North and South contingency continues. Most remaining interior fire activity is on the south end of the fire. Fire continues to move into the Kaiser Wilderness. Difficult access and steep terrain raise safety concerns for crews adjacent to the fires edge. Forest Road 4S81 was opened at 1800 on 8/7/2013. Stump Springs Road still remains closed.
Update 8-7 1800: 21,931 acres, 80% containedCentral Sierra Interagency Type 2 Incident Management Team (Cooper) remains in command.
Update 8-6 1800: CA-SNF-1732 - 21,930 acres, 75% contained Central Sierra Interagency Type 2 Incident Management Team (Cooper) remains in command. Most remaining interior fire activity is on the south and east side of the fire
Fire continues to burn up against sub-alpine rocky ridges and peaks in the Kaiser wilderness. Wild land fire modules will continue to monitor fire progression and check when needed. As Aspen resources become available they are being offered up for re-assignment to other incidents or released to their respective home agencies.
Update 8-6 1800: 21,386 acres, 75% containedStump Springs Road remains closed. Trail closure in Kaiser Wilderness with public being warned of dangers hiking trails in proximity to incident. Precautionary evacuation of campgrounds and summer camp west of San Joaquin River on Forest Road 4S81. Wildland fire modules continue to monitor fire progression and check when needed. Unfavorable winds and dense smoke are making water drops unfeasible. Fire is currently within ¼ mile of San Joaquin River. Direct line continues to hold.
Update 8-5 0800: 20,617 acres 75% percentAll firing operations have been very successful
Closure on the Stump Springs Road remains in effect.
Update 8-4 1800: 20,252 acres 70% percentDifficult access, steep inaccessible terrain and active fire behavior raise safety concerns for crews adjacent to the fires edge. Smoke exposure continues to be an issue for crews on the east side of the fire. Fire continues to move into the wilderness up against subalpine rocky ridges and peaks. Wildland fire modules will monitor fire progression and check when needed.
Update 8-3 0800: 19,822 acres 65% contained, Most fire activity is in the south and east side of the fire.Update 8-3 1800: 18,967 acres 60% percent
Firing operation to commence overnight conditions permitting.
The north and south contingency groups will continue to build secondary dozer and hand line to support suppression operations.
Update 8-3 0800: 18,774 acres, 55% contained
Crews are successfully using a combination of natural barriers and direct line construction. Preparation of contingency line continues from Mushroom Rock along the wilderness boundary to protect the town of Huntington.
Update 8-2 1900: 17,791 acres, 50% containedIndirect line construction continues from Mushroom Rock along wilderness boundary to protect the town of Huntington. Firefighters are monitoring the San Joaquin River to detect any fire behavior that may allow spotting across the river. North and South contingency groups will continue to build secondary dozer and hand line to support direct line construction. A full night shift is being utilized on this incident and has been very successful with firing indirect fire line and meeting containment objectives. Firing did not occur today as crews held off, cooling the black edge in preparation for burning operations tomorrow so that it does not influence fire behavior. Air tankers were utilized late this afternoon in a number of sorties.
Update 8-2 1500: 17,791 acres, 45% contained . Fire continues to advance towards the wilderness boundary in the east. Growth of the fire has continued in the northeast and southeast areas of the fire perimeter. There is a significant amount of open line to construct. Ground resources anticipate the utilization of firing operations over the next 3 days to assist with reinforcement of containment lines. Firefighters report west winds that are pushing significant amounts of smoke into Mammoth and Bishop areas. Cooler weather has caused smoke to settle into the canyons reducing visibility.Update 8-2 0800: 17,791 acres, 45% contained Fire continues to advance towards the wilderness boundary in the east.
Update 8-1 2000: 6,204 acres, 45% contained.South Central Sierra Incident Management Team (Cooper) is in command of fire. Fire continues to advance towards the wilderness boundary in the east. Direct line construction and firing operations have commenced and the firing operations will continue over the next several days with a cessation of firing activities in 5-6 days. Closure of Stump Springs Rd and the Kaiser wilderness remain in effect.
Update 8-1 0800: 16,204 acres 40% contained.Fire continues to move east and cross into the wilderness boundary.
Update 7-31 1800: CA-SNF-1732 14,400 acres 35% contained.
Update 7-31 0800: 14,332 acres 35% contained. Fire is expected to continue to move east and cross into the wilderness boundary.
Update 7-30 0800: 14,147 acres, 25% contained. IR showed increased growth on the northern, eastern and southeastern perimeter.
Update 7-29 1100: 11,019 acres, 20% containment Strong daytime inversion over the incident grounding aircraft remains.
Update 7-28 1500: 8,927acres 15% contained.
Update 7-28 0800: 8,927acres 15% contained. South Central Sierra Incident Management Team (Cooper) is in command of the Aspen Fire.
Update 7-27 1500: 6,821 acres,15%
Update 7-27 0900: 6,693 acres 10%
Update 7-26 0900: 4,500 acres 0% contained. Inversion layer trapping smoke over the fire and nearby communities
South Central Sierra Incident Management Team (Cooper) is in command of the Aspen Fire.
Fire activity is expected to continue to the north with spotting and up-canyon winds
and some backing into the retardant line A trail closure remains in effect for the Kaiser Wilderness with the public being warned of the dangers of hiking trails in proximity of the fire.
Update 7-24 0900: Local News media reporting 2-3000 acres, 0%.Update: Incident Management Central Sierra Type 2 (Cooper) is ordered.
300 acres, 0% contained.
Incident Overview
The Aspen Fire was discovered on Monday, July 22 burning on the Sierra National Forest- High Sierra Ranger District. The fire is burning below Stump Springs Road north of Aspen Springs.
Additional resources continue to arrive, assisting in fire suppression. Sierra National Forest initial suppression efforts, crews were able to keep the fire from burning into the Kaiser Wilderness. Firefighter and public safety remains the highest priority.
The South Central Sierra Interagency Incident Management Team assumed command of the Aspen Fire at 6:00 P.M. July 24, 2013. The team is working with the Sierra National Forest to manage suppression efforts.
Smoke from the Aspen Fire is impacting air quality in local communities. Individuals sensitive to smoke are suggested to remain indoors and keep windows closed, to minimize exposure to smoke.
The fire is in steep, rugged, inaccessible terrain. There is no imminent threat to the communities of Big Creek or Huntington Lake at this time.
The Sierra National Forest is suppressing 15 additional fires and all are less than ¼ acre in size; all of these fires were started by lightning.
Road and Trail ClosuresRoads: Stump Springs Road is closed to all traffic due to fire suppression activity.
Minarets Road (4S81) from Fish Creek to Jackass Rock Organization Campground, Grizzly at Beasore Road to Minarets Road are closed to the public. Residents within the road closure are allowed into the area with valid identification.
Trails:
Per the U.S. Forest Service Closure Order number 15-13-09, the Kaiser Wilderness is closed.
Evacuations
Additional campground closures went in to affect as a precautionary measure. Campground closures within the Sierra National Forest are as follows:
- -Sample Meadow
- -West Kaiser
- -Jackass Rock Organization
- -Lower Chiquito
- -Little Jackass
- -Soda Springs
- -Placer
- -Sweet Water
- -China Bar
- -Rock Creek
- -Rancheria
- -Badger Flat
- -Midge Creek
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Lightning
Date of Origin Monday July 22nd, 2013 approx. 10:15 PM
Location seven miles north of Big Creek
Incident Commander David CooperCurrent Situation
Total Personnel 1,012
Size 6,821 acres
Percent Contained 15%
Fuels Involved - Timber with mixed chaparral
Fire Behavior - Fire activity increased in intensity after the inversion lifted.
Significant Events The closure of Stump Springs road remains in effect. The Sierra National Forest has issued a Forest Closure Order for the Kaiser Wilderness. A precautionary evacuation of campgrounds west of the San Joaquin River on Forest Road 4S81 are in place.Outlook Planned Actions - Utilize air resources continued direct attack when possible. Continue to build handlines.
Growth Potential - High
Terrain Difficulty - Extreme
Remarks - Air resources were grounded most of the day because of the inversion lifting late in the afternoon. Access to the lower portions of the fire along the San Joaquin River's edge is an obstacle. Smoke from the fire continues to impact the San Joaquin Valley.Current Weather
Wind Conditions 3-10 mph W
Temperature 75-88 degrees
Humidity 24-34%Road Closure: Stump Springs Road
Evacuations: Some campground (Sample Meadow and West Kaiser campgrounds)
The South Central Sierra Incident Management Team (Coopers Team) will be arriving today @ 1000 hrs; they will be taking over the fire @ 1800 hrs.
The forest is suppressing 15 other fires and all are less than ¼ acre in size; All of these fires were started by lightning.
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| Aspen Fire Perimeter Topo Map |
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| Aspen Fire Perimeter and Hotspot Map |
Aspen Fire CA-SNF-1732 3.5 miles south of Mammoth Pool Reservoir and 6 miles northwest of Huntington Lake, Fresno County.
3,500 acres 0% contained.
Central Sierra IMT 2 (Cooper).
Fire is burning in timber, and mixed chaparral in the San Joaquin River Canyon.
Extreme fire behavior, fire making runs, spotting, group torching. Inversion did not lift until the afternoon hours. Continue direct attack when possible. Building contingency line utilizing indirect methods.
The community of Big Creek, a campground facility, recreation area, numerous T&E sites, and cultural sites remain threatened. A road closure is in effect for Stump Springs road.
Water Fire CA-KRN-024091 Tejon Ranch, Kern County, west side of Interstate 5
Tejon Ranch
612 acres, 75% contained
Heavy fuels in sheltered drainages near perimeter on the north side will require extensive mop up. Under slung line along the north side of Digier Canyon still presents a slight threat of rollout.
Mountain Fire CA-BDF-10080 Idyllwild, Riverside County
Hwy 243 / Hwy 74
27,531 acres, 92% Contained
27,531 acres, 92% Contained
The Incident is in Unified Command with CIIMT3 (Pincha-Tulley), CAL FIRE (Patterson),
A glide path down to transition complete. Coordination between CIIMT#3 and the type 3 team is ongoing to insure a smooth transition. Crews made good progress with direct line construction today. Crews patrolled for hot spots and continue to mop up 200 ft. from perimeter. Suppression repair occurring on in multiple divisions. Transition briefing occurred with type 3 team today at 1600 hrs.
Cane Fire CA-SQF-2695 Domeland Wilderness
20 acres 0% contained
is not staffed due steep and extremely difficult terrain.
Reported Date/time: *
IA: *
ROS: Moderate
ROC: Spotting in front of head
Structure Threats: *
Concerns: *
Resources: 1 AA, 6 AT'S, 2 Type 1 copters
Cooperating Agencies: *
Weather Info: T-STORMS IN AREA
Special Conditions: *
Other Comments: *
Radio Frequencies: SNF COMMAND 172.225
Maps: *
Agency Website: *
Online Scanner: *
Live Video: *
Web Cams: *
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