July 05, 2008
Basin Complex Fire; Evening July 5
Record temperatures are forecast for the Big Sur coast beginning Monday. Winds to 15 mph from the north and N/W will (generally) prevail as temperatures reach 90 degrees in some spots.Milder weather over the last week has allowed Basin Complex commanders to squeeze the most out of their exhausted troops. In the last 2 days 600 firefighters and support personnel were added to the ranks bringing the total to 2,318.
Thirty nine structures have burned, 22 were homes. No commercial building have been destroyed.
According to the evening fire report the fire has now burned over 71,000 acres and is 5% contained. The fire is burning actively on four fronts. The west front is the evacuated town of Big Sur. It's the least active at the moment but fire command expects this to change sometime in the next 72 hours.
Filed in the ICS-209 report filed tonight:
"72 hours: Strong off shore flow in the evening will push fire west towards the coast."
Remaining residents should take heed. Any significant change of wind speed and direction could certainly push the fire down canyon and into town.
Tomorrow fire crews from the air and ground will work hard in preparation for the changing weather. Commander Deitrich has maintained for over a week the fire will grow to 170,000 acres. Certainly he doesn't want to see that.
Other notes from the July 5 pm fire report;
"Projected incident movement/spread 12, 24, 48, and 72 hour time frames:12 hours:
West Zone: Fire should continue to grow on all flanks. Fire movement to the south and north will continue during periods of active fire behavior. East Zone: Fire movement is expected to the east-northeast into the East Zone and toward Tassajara Rd and southwest towards Rodeo Flats. 24 hours: Fire is expected to spread south towards Dolan Canyon, southeast towards Rodeo Flats Trail and north towards Cachagua. East Zone: Fire movement is expected to the east-northeast into the East Zone and toward Tassajara Rd and southwest towards Rodeo Flats. 48 hours: Fire is expected to spread south towards Dolan Canyon, southeast towards Rodeo Flats Trail, to the east towards Tassajara Road and north towards Cachagua. 72 hours: Strong off shore flow in the evening will push fire west towards the coast.
Major problems and concerns
West Zone: Fire continues to be very active on the northern and southern flanks and is threatening the communities of BIG SUR, CARMEL and LUCIA. Crews are holding the dozer line with limited resources. Structures, heavy fuel loads due to sudden oak death and active fire behavior on the southern end and north of Pfeiffer State Park are challenging containment actions. East Zone: Numerous structures and improvements located in the proximity to Carmel Valley Road and Tassajara Road areas with limited access. Extremely steep and rugged terrain with continuous heavy fuel loading. HEBM is needed for military assets.
Remarks:
The fire has entered into the community of BIG SUR on the east side. The Basin Complex is in unified command with the USFS Dietrich (west), McGowan (east), CalFire R. Hutchinson, Big Sur VFB and Mid-Coast FB and Monterey County Sheriff's Office. Cost breakdown west: $15,111,000. east: $4,500,000. Personnel: West 1207 East: 1111. Additional 16 miles of line to build includes contingency line to the north near Carmel Valley."
(edited 9:50 pm)
Labels: 2008 Fire Season, Basin Complex, Big Sur, Butler 2 Fire, California Firestorm 2008
Comments:
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Excellent Blog. I am a former FS employee who worked in fire suppression and understand and greatly appreciate all the work you put into this site. A BIG THANKS GOES OUT TO YOU!! Your links have been a great help in monitoring air quality for me and other aspects created by these large fires. THANKS MY FRIEND
# posted by 
: July 05, 2008 9:21 PM
: July 05, 2008 9:21 PM
Thanks for your clear and detailed info on the Basin Fire. We are so grateful. And a huge shout of appreciation to the firefighters on the ground. Thank you, Bless you.
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