Update 9-2 0900: 27,440 acres, 100% contained.
Update 8-29 0900: 26,194 acres, 98% contained. Expected containment 8/29. IMT 1 (Opliger). Fire growth potential has greatly diminished with successful firing operations. Backing fire implemented by crews should merge completely into the main body of the fire near Mosquito Ridge during today's operational shift. No appreciable fire activity found on the remaining areas of the fire. Active and aggressive mop up continues. Implementation of the Suppression Repair Plan continues.
Update 8-28 0900: 26,004 acres, 94% contained. Expected containment: 08/29. Opliger, CA IMT1, Fire growth potential continues to diminish with successful firing operations over the previous operational periods. iRAWS that are in place continue to enhance weather reporting accuracy for fire crews. Previously, where possible extreme fire behavior potential existed due to topography and fuel loading, the successful implementation of strategic firing operations mitigated the risks. A Spike Camp is being used to reduce fatigue associated with what would be extended travel times increasing productivity of line resources. The Team continues to work with the Placer County Air Pollution Board regarding smoke effects to local communities. Approximately 105 combined-type structures are threatened.
Update 8-27 0900: 24,935 acres, 88% contained. Expected containment: 08/29. Opliger, CA IMT1. Fire growth potential greatly decreased with successful firing from previous operations. iRAWS that are in place continue to enhance weather reporting accuracy. Remaining fire burning in pockets of old growth timber stands and plantations with no recorded fire history. Previously, where possible extreme fire behavior potential existed due to topography and fuel loading, successful implementation of strategic firing operations mitigated risks. Smoke, though diminishing, continues to be an ongoing concern for the Sierra Foothills, Tahoe area, and Sacramento Valley. The Team continues to work with the Placer County Air Pollution Board regarding smoke effects to local communities. Approximately 105 combined-type structures are threatened.
Update 8-26 0900: 24,408 acres, 81% contained. Expected containment: 08/29/2013. Opliger, CA IMT1. The majority of the fire is landscaped with interior isolated sources of heat as larger fuels are slowly consumed. The most active portion of the fire is along the 43 road where crews have fired from the improved road. Fire is backing down the slope with a low intensity and slow rate of spread. Fire growth potential decreases with successful firing operations, though risks still remain with potential gusty winds forecasted through operational period across fire perimeter. 2 Additional iRAWS placed to enhance weather reporting accuracy.
Update 8-25 1900: 24,304 acres, 78% contained. Expected containment 08/30/2013. IMT 1 (Opliger). Low fire behavior with moderate rates of spread in surface fuels. Forecasted ridge top winds did not surface in the Deep Canyon drainage. Low intensity firing off the 43 Road is meeting suppression objectives. The Forest, timber industry, local agencies, and private landowners continue to collaborate to implement strategy and tactics that will minimize impacts on high value timber resources, The Western States Trail, watershed and local communities.
Update 8-25 0900: 24,135 acres, 78% contained. Expected containment 09/01/2013. IMT 1 (Opliger). No appreciable fire activity on the south, southwest and west portion of the fire. In north portion of the fire, occasional smoldering pockets interior from fire line. On the east portion of the fire, there active surface fire with smoldering and consumption of heavy (1000 hour) fuels - active backing and flanking fire with active surface fire with occasional single tree torching.
Update 8-24 1900: 23,729 acres, 67% contained. Expected containment 09/01/2013. IMT 1 (Opliger). Fire is actively burning in an old growth stand of timber with no recorded fire history. Increased fire activity as a result of warming temperatures. The northeastern portion of the fire remains active with moderate rates of spread in alignment with wind and slope. Single and group tree torching was observed along Cavanah Ridge and Deep Canyon. Backing fire from edge of firing operations continues to back into Deep Canyon at a slow rate of spread.
Update 8-23 1900: 21,189 acres, 66% contained. Expected containment 9/1/2013. IMT 1 (Opliger). Fire continues to progress towards indirect dozer lines on the eastern and southern portions of the fire. Single and group tree torching, along with short crown runs, were observed along the area of Cavanah Ridge. Due to these unfavorable conditions, burning operations were halted on this portion of the fire. Mop up continues on the western and northern portions of the fire. Partial road closures remain in effect, but recreational opportunities remain open in French Meadows and adjacent recreational areas.
Update 8-23 0900: 20,232 acres, 66% contained. Expected containment 9/1/2013. IMT 1 (Opliger). The south, west and the northern most portions of the fire showed little activity overnight. The eastern portions of the fire produced moderate fire behavior with active surface fire, isolated single and group tree torching with short crown runs. Firefighters continue burning operations as necessary to prevent fire from crossing Little Grizzly Creek. The partial road closure on Mosquito Ridge Road remains in effect.
Update 8-22 0900: 16,812 acres, 60% contained. Expected containment 9/1/2013. IMT 1 (Opliger) Fire growth continues on the southeastern portion of the fire. The incident is also supporting the Forest in new Initial Attack requests. Community meeting planned this evening in Foresthill.
Update 8-21 1900: 16,779 acres, 60% contained. Expected containment 9/1/2013. IMT 1 (Opliger). Fire growth continued in the southeastern portion of the fire this operational shift. Partial road closure of Mosquito Ridge Road west of French Meadows Reservoir for public and firefighter safety occurred this afternoon due to fire activity. Cloud cover moderated fire spread.
Update 8-21 0900: 15,738 acres, 63%. Expected containment 9/1/2013. IMT 1 (Opliger). Fire growth continued to be significant in the south eastern portion of the fire due to fire position and canyon alignment. Firefighters continue to construct and secure direct line to the North Fork of the Middle Fork of American River. Indirect line is being constructed down Deadwood Ridge in support of potential burning operations.
Update 8-20 1900: 15,715 acres, 62% contained. Expected containment 9/1/2013. CIMT4, Opliger. Significant fire growth on the southeastern portion of the fire today. Fire activity increased earlier today in response to solar heating, with surface ground fire transitioning to single and group tree torching. Firefighters continue to construct direct and contingency line to prep for burning.
Update 8-20 0900: 14,990 acres; 54% contained. Expected containment 9/1/2013. CIMT4, Opliger. Indirect handline continues to be constructed and prep for burning. Mop and patrol continues along Deadwood Road and Foresthill Drive Roads south to the existing dozer line. A public meeting was held at Foresthill Monday evening and attended by 200+ people. A planned meeting is scheduled this morning with the Board of Supervisors.
Update 8-19 0900: 14,765 acres, 49% contained. Estimated containment: 08/28/2013. CIMT4 Opliger has assumed command as of 0600 today. Fire growth potential remains high due to heavy fuels and steep slopes up to 150 percent. Fire behavior continues to range from moderate to extreme. Within timber plantations, fire behavior has been moderate. Where topography and fuels align, fire behavior has been extreme. Terrain, heavy fuels, and remote access dictate the need for Type 1 Crews to achieve operational objectives. Contingency line construction requires equipment to support. Spike Camps are being used to reduce long travel times and increase productivity of existing resources. Smoke continues to be a significant and ongoing concern for the Sierra Foothills, Tahoe area, and Sacramento Valley. The Team continues to work with the Placer County Air Pollution Board regarding smoke effects to local communities.
Update 8-18 1900: 13,730 acres, 49% contained. Estimated containment: 08/28/2013. Central Coast Team, Nunez. Moderate to extreme fire behavior was observed around the fire. Extremely dry fuel bed and steep slopes are contributing to control difficulty. Short range spotting is influencing rates of spread. Recommended Voluntary Evacuation was issued at 1400 hours today for Big Oak Flat. Closures for the Duncan Peak Lookout and Robinson Camp are in effect. The fire experienced thunderstorms this afternoon. The fire area remains under an NWS Fire Weather Watch.
Update 8-18 0900: 12,950 acres, 45% contained. Estimated containment: 08/28/2013. Central Coast Team, Nunez. The potential for fire growth is high due to heavy fuels and steep slopes up to 150 percent. Fire behavior has moderate to extreme. Within timber plantations fire behavior has been moderate. When topography and fuels align fire behavior has been extreme. Fire activity was moderate overnight. The fire continues to burn in steep and hazardous terrain, as well as timber fuels that have not burned in several decades. Consumption of heavy fuels continues to contribute to the heavy some in the surrounding areas.
Update 8-17 0900: 11,950 acres, 45% contained. Estimated containment 8/28/2013. California Inter-Agency Team 4 (Opliger) has been activated for the CA-TNF American Fire. Briefing is planned for 1000 hours Saturday August 17th, 2013.Moderate to active fire behavior over night with single tree torching. The fire continues to burn in steep and hazardous terrain, as well as timber fuels that have not burned in several decades. Consumption of heavy fuels continues to contribute to the heavy smoke in the surrounding area. The Placer Air Pollution Control Board is working with the Team on the effects of the smoke. The Forest, timber industry, local agencies, and private landowners continue to collaborate to implement strategy and tactics that will minimize impacts on high value timber resources, Western States Trail, watershed and local communities.
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| AMERICAN FIRE PERIMETER MAP |
Update 8-15 0900: 4,958 acres, 35% contained. Moderate fire behavior was observed overnight, with some single tree torching. The fire in the Deadwood Ridge area is burning in steep and hazardous terrain along with heavy timber, in an area that has not burned in decades. Burning of heavy fuels is contributing to the heavy smoke in the area. Placer Air Pollution Board is working with the Team on smoke effects.
Update 8-14 1900: 3,950 acres, 10% contained. Fire was active in the slope aligned topography. Roll out is contributing to the slope aligned runs. Short range spotting occurred during this operational period. The Forest, the Timber Industry, local agencies, and private landowners are collaborating to implement a strategy and tactics to that will minimize impacts on high value timber resources, Western States Trail, water shed and local communities.
Update 8-13 1900: 1,900 acres, 0% contained. Suppression efforts are focused mainly on the Deadwood Ridge and Last Chance sides of the fire. While firefighters are working to protect heritage resources from the fire and from suppression impacts, firefighter and public safety are first priorities. The Forest, the timber industry, local agencies, and private landowners are collaborating to implement a strategy and tactics to that will minimize impacts on high value timber resources, Western States Trail, water shed and local communities.
Update 8-13 0900: 1,750 acres 0% contained. Steep and hazardous terrain along the American River Gorge makes access difficult. There are numerous open mines and suspected Drug-Related Activities in the immediate fire area. Smoke is affecting air quality in areas surrounding the fire area: including the Highway 80 corridor, Sacramento Valley, and the Lake Tahoe Basin. Central Coast Type 2 (D'Andrea) Team took command of the fire on August 12, 2013 at 1800 hours.
Update 8-12 1900: 1,200 acres 0% contained. Fire is located on the middle fork of the American River near Foresthill. It is actively burning on both side of the American River drainage. Today the fire remained in canyons and has potential to make runs to the top and spot ahead. At 1800 today, Type 2 Team (Central Coast 7) will transition with Local Type 3 Team.
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| American fire Photo by Todd White of Air Attack 17 |
| American Fire: | |
| Name: | American Fire |
| County: | Placer County |
| Location: | Deadwood Ridge, northeast of Foresthill |
| Administrative Unit: | Tahoe National Forest |
| Acres Burned - Containment | 1200 |
| Date Started: | August 10, 2013 4:30 pm |
| Last update: | August 11, 2013 5:00 pm |
Update : CA-TNF-#Americanfire estimated 1,200 acres crossed North Fork of Middle Fork of American River http://calfire.blogspot.com/2013/08/ca-tnf-americanfire-estimated-at-1200.html #CaFire
Incident Overview
The American fire is burning in a heavily forested area of very steep terrain on Deadwood Ridge, approximately 17 miles northeast of Foresthill in Tahoe National Forest. Access to the fire is limited, and firefighter safety is a concern due to difficult terrain.
Fire size is estimated at 1,200 acres with heavy smoke making it difficult to obtain precise numbers. The fire has crossed the North Fork of the Middle Fork of the American River and is burning toward the Last Chance area. Firefighters reported a moderate rate of spread with short uphill runs yesterday, and more of the same is expected today. Firefighters were able to make some progress on line construction overnight.
Multiple Forest Service and Cal Fire engines, crews, dozers, air tankers, and helicopters are committed, with additional resources on order. Efforts are being focused mainly on the Deadwood Ridge and Last Chance sides of the fire. Smokejumpers are being utilized.
While firefighters are working to protect cultural resources from the fire and from suppression impacts, firefighter and public safety are the first priorities.
The Central Coast #7 Type II Incident Management Team is en route and expected to arrive today.
Smoke in the areas of Foresthill, Auburn, Nevada City, and the valley will likely continue over the next several days.
There are no current road closures, but people are being asked to stay out of the fire area for their own safety and the safety of firefighting personnel.
The town of Foresthill is not endangered and there are no evacuations ordered.Basic Information
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Under Investigation
Date of Origin Saturday August 10th, 2013 approx. 04:30 PM
Location Deadwood Ridge, northeast of ForesthillApproximate GPS Location: 39.116 latitude, -120.646 longitude
Current Situation
Total Personnel: 280
Size: 1,200 acres
Fuels Involved - Heavy timber
Fire Behavior - Expecting moderate fire behavior todayOutlook/Terrain Difficulty - Very steep terrain
Remarks - Central Coast #7 Type II incident Management Team has been delegated management.
The Central Coast #7 Type II Incident Management Team is en route and expected to arrive today.
Smoke in the areas of Foresthill, Auburn, Nevada City, and the valley will likely continue over the next several days.
There are no current road closures, but people are being asked to stay out of the fire area for their own safety and the safety of firefighting personnel.
The town of Foresthill is not endangered and there are no evacuations ordered.Basic Information
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Under Investigation
Date of Origin Saturday August 10th, 2013 approx. 04:30 PM
Location Deadwood Ridge, northeast of ForesthillApproximate GPS Location: 39.116 latitude, -120.646 longitude
Current Situation
Total Personnel: 280
Size: 1,200 acres
Fuels Involved - Heavy timber
Fire Behavior - Expecting moderate fire behavior todayOutlook/Terrain Difficulty - Very steep terrain
Remarks - Central Coast #7 Type II incident Management Team has been delegated management.
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