July 30, 2008
Telegraph Fire Path Moves Away From Mariposa
The midnight 209 offers lots of hope for Mariposa County residents. The fire grew by 10% in the last 24 hours to 32,600 acres. Containment is at 20%.
Damage assessment shows 22 homes have been burned, a downward revision from the 25 reported yesterday. 32 outbuilding have been consumed by flames.
Just under 3,800 firefighters are assigned to the incident. 15 firefighters have been injured since the fire began 5 days ago.
Notes from the report;
Today's observed fire behavior:
North end of the fire is a running surface fire with occasional single tree torching. The remainder of the incident is experiencing moderate fire behavior.
Significant events today:
Active fire behavior is being observed on the northern and eastern flanks of the fire. Hwy 140 to Yosemite National Park was restricted for a period of time today; CHP will be escorting traffic through one lane only when air operations is not working in the area. Logistical support is now available at Kassabaum Spike Camp. On 7/30/08 at 0700 operational briefings will be held at both Base Camp and at Kassabaum Spike Camp. Today the northern portion of the fire transitioned from a fuel model 6 to a fuel model 10.
Major problems and concerns:
There are significant road closures in the area of the fire; specifically Hwy 140 a route to enter Yosemite National Park was completely restricted for a period of time yesterday due to the fire behavior and Air Ops. The power to Yosemite Valley is out. The water supply system for the Mariposa Public Utility District is threatened. The northeast flank of the fire is posing an immediate threat to the Stanislaus/Sierra National Forest within Federal Responsibility Area. Accessibility problems continue to damper suppression efforts due to terrain that is bisected by deep drainages, rock outcroppings and the Merced River Canyon.
Credit good firefighting and expert use of air resources. This fire had hundreds of homes in it's sights. The LA Times should revise their criticisms of the use of air tankers on fires after reviewing how they were used here.
Well done CalFire, hats off to all air attack and all ground forces!
Damage assessment shows 22 homes have been burned, a downward revision from the 25 reported yesterday. 32 outbuilding have been consumed by flames.
Just under 3,800 firefighters are assigned to the incident. 15 firefighters have been injured since the fire began 5 days ago.
Notes from the report;
Today's observed fire behavior:
North end of the fire is a running surface fire with occasional single tree torching. The remainder of the incident is experiencing moderate fire behavior.
Significant events today:
Active fire behavior is being observed on the northern and eastern flanks of the fire. Hwy 140 to Yosemite National Park was restricted for a period of time today; CHP will be escorting traffic through one lane only when air operations is not working in the area. Logistical support is now available at Kassabaum Spike Camp. On 7/30/08 at 0700 operational briefings will be held at both Base Camp and at Kassabaum Spike Camp. Today the northern portion of the fire transitioned from a fuel model 6 to a fuel model 10.
Major problems and concerns:
There are significant road closures in the area of the fire; specifically Hwy 140 a route to enter Yosemite National Park was completely restricted for a period of time yesterday due to the fire behavior and Air Ops. The power to Yosemite Valley is out. The water supply system for the Mariposa Public Utility District is threatened. The northeast flank of the fire is posing an immediate threat to the Stanislaus/Sierra National Forest within Federal Responsibility Area. Accessibility problems continue to damper suppression efforts due to terrain that is bisected by deep drainages, rock outcroppings and the Merced River Canyon.
Credit good firefighting and expert use of air resources. This fire had hundreds of homes in it's sights. The LA Times should revise their criticisms of the use of air tankers on fires after reviewing how they were used here.
Well done CalFire, hats off to all air attack and all ground forces!
Labels: 2008 Fire Season, Telegraph Fire
Comments:
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It's actually 32,063 acres. I posted an incorrect figure above.
LA Times just guessed I think, lol.
Mike
LA Times just guessed I think, lol.
Mike
You were right on one thing though. The fire is definitely over by the Ferguson Rockslide right now. It's burning by Bull Creek Road, Black Mountain and Jenkins Hill, according to the scanner. That's the main fire.
Concerning the acreage. I am surprised it only grew by 10% yesterday.
Tanker pilots were heard saying it looked like a "whole new fire" at points throughout the day.
One div. boss reported "rapid rate of spread, 120 flame lengths".
I'm amazed all that came to only 3k acres.
Tanker pilots were heard saying it looked like a "whole new fire" at points throughout the day.
One div. boss reported "rapid rate of spread, 120 flame lengths".
I'm amazed all that came to only 3k acres.
Mike,
I'm not familiar with the coordination & political situation between CalFire and USFS. When an "immediate threat to the Stanislaus/Sierra National Forest . . ." is present, what does USFS do? Start building preventative dozer line at US forest's edge? Jump in with CalFire to fight the existing fire - as self protection?
How well do they work together? There must be some rivalry, but also some "in the same boat together" awareness.
I'd love your feedback/experience.
Thanks!
I'm not familiar with the coordination & political situation between CalFire and USFS. When an "immediate threat to the Stanislaus/Sierra National Forest . . ." is present, what does USFS do? Start building preventative dozer line at US forest's edge? Jump in with CalFire to fight the existing fire - as self protection?
How well do they work together? There must be some rivalry, but also some "in the same boat together" awareness.
I'd love your feedback/experience.
Thanks!
# posted by 
: July 30, 2008 7:57 AM
: July 30, 2008 7:57 AM
There is no "immediate threat" to the Stanislaus. It's been burning in the Stanislaus for some time now. I don't know why they keep saying that the fire is going to burn onto FS lands. The main fire right now has been on the Stanislaus for a while now.
But your question is still pertinent. I'd be interested to see his answer.
But your question is still pertinent. I'd be interested to see his answer.
Yes, the "in the same boat together" overtone dominates however there is a simmering undercurrent that borders on dislike for one another.
They work well together when safety is at stake and that is what matters most.
The two have different mission statements. One attacks fire, the other assumes a more defensive stance.
That subject is too in depth to characterize properly in a comment section.
As for the fire moving to Federal land, nothing will change. Base camp and current command will remain intact.
If for some reason the fire moves completely into a Forest Service response area a Fed team would transition in over time.
I believe budgeting (billing) is broken down by percentage of acreage. Fed will be responsible for all expenses to suppress fire on their property.
I was never on a desk in a fire camp so I don't know exactly how it breaks down.
Mike
They work well together when safety is at stake and that is what matters most.
The two have different mission statements. One attacks fire, the other assumes a more defensive stance.
That subject is too in depth to characterize properly in a comment section.
As for the fire moving to Federal land, nothing will change. Base camp and current command will remain intact.
If for some reason the fire moves completely into a Forest Service response area a Fed team would transition in over time.
I believe budgeting (billing) is broken down by percentage of acreage. Fed will be responsible for all expenses to suppress fire on their property.
I was never on a desk in a fire camp so I don't know exactly how it breaks down.
Mike
I was suprised by your LA Times Air Support comment. My reading of the Times, was that it was highly supportive of professional firefighter decision making, and highly critical of politician decision making that over-ruled the pros, as opposed to supporting the firefighter, PARTICULARLY when it involved rich/influencial people's property.
# posted by : July 30, 2008 8:37 AM
: July 30, 2008 8:37 AM
Mike, there's another slopover, probably way up on the Stanislaus by Bull Creek. But I can't figure out where it is. It looks like they are going to try to hit it with planes like yesterday.
The tone is somewhat similar to yesterday. As soon as the sun came up the fire just exploded and they were calling in helicopters. I guess they did a lot of backfiring last nite up around Bull Creek too.
The tone is somewhat similar to yesterday. As soon as the sun came up the fire just exploded and they were calling in helicopters. I guess they did a lot of backfiring last nite up around Bull Creek too.
Frankly I don't know where they dug up the retired guys they quoted. They managed to find a couple that fit the theme of the 5 part series they are promoting.
For those that have not read it, here it is.
The opinion that matters is that of Jeanne Pincha-Tulley who commanded the Castle Rock fire near Sun Valley last year. Once the politicians squawked she got aircraft. They flew when weather allowed.
No structures burned.
I thought is was ill timed considering the air show taking place at the time in Mariposa. Considering too they had a reporter on scene.
I wonder what he or she thought of the effectiveness of the air assault yesterday?
They lost me completely when they started talking about individual air drops that were misdirected.
They should have spent a day on a ridge watching these ships do their thing. They would know what they are talking about then.
Agenda journalism is dangerous.
Mike
For those that have not read it, here it is.
The opinion that matters is that of Jeanne Pincha-Tulley who commanded the Castle Rock fire near Sun Valley last year. Once the politicians squawked she got aircraft. They flew when weather allowed.
No structures burned.
I thought is was ill timed considering the air show taking place at the time in Mariposa. Considering too they had a reporter on scene.
I wonder what he or she thought of the effectiveness of the air assault yesterday?
They lost me completely when they started talking about individual air drops that were misdirected.
They should have spent a day on a ridge watching these ships do their thing. They would know what they are talking about then.
Agenda journalism is dangerous.
Mike
Mike, the San Francisco Chronicle's morning story today (July 30) gives lots of credit to the helicopters but does not mention fixed wing aircraft at all, as per my reading. Is there some kind of industry rivalry here, or... ?
# posted by : July 30, 2008 9:05 AM
: July 30, 2008 9:05 AM
The Calfire site is not updating very promptly, thank you for your efforts!
A friend in Jerseydale told me this morning that large equipment was moved into Apperson Mine last night.
We are all concerned about the fire jumping the Merced river canyon to the south side. Anything on the scanner about this?
A friend in Jerseydale told me this morning that large equipment was moved into Apperson Mine last night.
We are all concerned about the fire jumping the Merced river canyon to the south side. Anything on the scanner about this?
I just hope they get some video of the air support in action. just listening to the scanner and hearing how these folks coordinated with eachother in flight was impressive. updrafts, superheated air, winds, low altitude flying, planes in close proximity, helicopters doing live mapping .......and timing the placement of retardant. Geez folks, this ain't your bag of peanuts, I'll have a Coke and keep your seatbelts fastened for a little choppy air type flying.
Robert, Kady, Jake, I have been listening to the scanner and I hear activity on "Black Mountain" up above the Merced River north side.
GeoMAC supports this activity at the moment. I read (209) that Jerseydale is mentioned on the 'watch list' on the 72 hour timetable. Weather would have to shift big time for that to happen from my point of view.
I thinks it's funneling into the Forest and up canyon generally towards El Portal.
Nearly 4,000 firefighters, 12 air tankers and almost 20 helicopters are all chasing a much smaller fire at this point.
Anon, rivalry between Helicopters and Tankers? None that I have ever heard of.
GeoMAC supports this activity at the moment. I read (209) that Jerseydale is mentioned on the 'watch list' on the 72 hour timetable. Weather would have to shift big time for that to happen from my point of view.
I thinks it's funneling into the Forest and up canyon generally towards El Portal.
Nearly 4,000 firefighters, 12 air tankers and almost 20 helicopters are all chasing a much smaller fire at this point.
Anon, rivalry between Helicopters and Tankers? None that I have ever heard of.
Please include a key with these geomac maps. I have no idea what the colors can mean, and cannot find one with the map when I click on it.
Yes, the firefighters are definitely heroic and are giving this their all. My sister and mother live in Mariposa but their home was not threatened, as they are to the east. My sister's husband's uncle and his wife have lost everything, and they lost their recently deceased grandmother's home, and my brother-in-law's mother is staying with my family there until she can return to her home in Midpines, very near the fire indeed.
The firefighters saved her home by hosing it down and clearing combustibles from around it, and stayed to make sure it was alright. We are very grateful to them indeed!
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Yes, the firefighters are definitely heroic and are giving this their all. My sister and mother live in Mariposa but their home was not threatened, as they are to the east. My sister's husband's uncle and his wife have lost everything, and they lost their recently deceased grandmother's home, and my brother-in-law's mother is staying with my family there until she can return to her home in Midpines, very near the fire indeed.
The firefighters saved her home by hosing it down and clearing combustibles from around it, and stayed to make sure it was alright. We are very grateful to them indeed!
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