Lightning storms cause fires in various parts of county
July 25, 2010 — Update: While many resources are being dispatched to handle the Constantia Fire near Doyle, the recent lightning activity has caused dozens of smaller fires in outlying areas around Lassen County, according to Susanville Interagency Fire Center Public Information Officer Jeff Fontana.As of 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 25, Fontana said there are roughly 56 lightning-caused fires in across several areas of SIFC's jurisdiction district. The largest of the fires is currently bheing labed as "3-9," a roughly 50-acre fire located approximately 15 miles northwest of Eagle Lake. Fontana said an incident command team has been assigned to the fire and should be seting up resources as of 8 a.m. on Monday, July 26.
As for the other fires in the region, Fontana said there are currently five being addressed by the Cal Fire personnel assigned to Susanville, 17 being handled by Cal Fire units near Bieber, and one by Cal Fire units in Alturas.
On the Lassen National Forest side, seven fires are being dealt with in the Hat Creek Ranger District, three in the Eagle Lake Ranger District and five in the LNF's Lake Almanor District.
The Bureau of Land Management's West Valley District has also reported 13 fires, with two fires seen in the Ravendale area.
July 25, 2010 — Update: While air support efforts on the Constantia Fire have ramped up, the overall containment is now at unknown percentage, according to information from the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center as of 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 25.
Christie Kalkowski with Sierra Front Information confirmed the fire is still estimated at about 800 acres.
Currently, SFIDC is coordinating several air units to help combat the blaze. Kalkowski the center currently has six lead planes/air attack planes in the air coordinating drop efforts. Two airtankers are also at the scene, including a heavy tanker capable of dropping 2,000 gallons of water or retardant and a single engine tanker capable of dropping 400 gallons. They also have two helitankers in the air capable of dropping 1,500 gallons and a Type 2 helicopter capable of a 500 gallon drop.
July 25, 2010 — Update: As of 2:56 p.m. on Sunday, July 25, The Constantia Fire is being reported at 800 acres in size. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center is reporting the fire has moved Southeast to the flats, and is actively burning within railroad facilities. The evacuation order is still in effect for Constantia.
Fires that originated in front of the primary blaze caused have caused rapid rates of spread, pushing the fire from the Lassen National Forest onto the Plumas National Forest.
SFIDC is reporting extreme fire behavior predicted throughout the day, with abundant lightning predicted around the core of the storm area.
A SFIDC press release said there is a red flag warning is in effect through the evening. Heavy lightning is expected, with strong, gusty outflow winds and thunderstorms becoming stronger and wetter throughout the Sierra Front.
The press release said fire personnel will be actively engaged in structure protection, patrolling and handline construction throughout the day.
Roughly 160 fire personnel are assigned to the fire as of right now, with 10 engines, two water tenders, two bulldozer crews, five hand crews and five command staff.
Responding agencies include fire resources from the Susanville Interagency Fire Center, The U.S. Forest Service, Cal Fire, and the Nevada Division of Forestry.
Keep checking lassenews.com for more updates on county fire activity as it becomes available.
Original Post: Lightning storms have caused fire activity in several parts of Lassen County, leaving local and state fire agencies working hard to contain multiple fires.
The largest of the fires is the Constantia Fire, located in the Constantia community near Doyle along Highway 395. The fire started about 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 24, the fire was roughly 400 acres in size. According to the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center, the Constantia residential area is threatened, with Lassen County fire personnel in place for structure protection. SFIDC is also reporting that so far, one residence and at least two out buildings have been lost. The fire is currently about 30 percent contained. The Lassen County Sheriff's Office is reporting that an evacuation order is in effect. For more information on the evacuation order, call 257-6121.
SIFC Co-Center Manager Scott Henry said the center has committed five engines with four strike teams to the Constantia Fire. He said that due to the lightning, fire activity has also been reported in the Hat Creek, Bieber and Lake Almanor communities. He said SIFC fire agencies are responding to various fires of different sizes. He added SIFC is currently in the Lightning Plan, which allows for rapid, measured responses to any reported fire.
--
Check out http://groups.yahoo.com/group/californiadisasters/
Read our blog at http://eclecticarcania.blogspot.com/
Visit me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/derkimster
__._,_.___
No comments:
Post a Comment