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July 13, 2008

Tide Turning, Rain in Sierras Punctuates Theme

 
The Southern Sierras are getting some rain today. The image below was captured from one of the Sierra webcam links.

Firefighters on the Piute Fire burning in Kern County were temporarily trapped by flash floods as they retreated from the fire lines. Firefighters were being moved off the mountain to escape lightning.

From a personal observation I was at Shaver Lake fishing with family yesterday. Everything I saw above the 5,000 ft. is green. Green grass dominates mountain meadows at 5,500 ft elevation at the moment. This reminded me the season is still early.

It also made me wonder how the Trinity Alps are so receptive to burning this early. Reading the morning report from the Hell's Half Fire in Trinity County this morning helps explain.

Incident Commander Jess Secrest offers:

"Fuels/Materials Involved:
10 Timber (litter and understory)
Fuel types varied; fuel model 9 leaf/needle litter under full canopy and fuel model 1 short grass/scattered brush. Runs in young conifer/hardwoods and brush. Similar fuels available in front of the fires."

Commander Kerschen of the SHU Lightning Complex writes:

"Fire behavior potential is extreme. Fuel moistures are at record low levels with fuel beds being very receptive to ignition."

Drought causes low fuel moisture. The green grass is an illusion, the pastoral scene belies the truth. Peel away the grass and you find kindling.

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Posted by: retired cap mike: 10:46 AM


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