[californiadisasters] Re: CA-SNF- Motor Incident

Incident Overview

About 1200 Aug. 25, a motor home caught fire in the Merced River Canyon near Calif. Hwy 140 in Mariposa County. Fire spread to both sides of the Merced River, on the Sierra National Forest to the south and the Stanislaus National Forest to the north. As of 1900 about 1000 acres hab burned with the fire mostly moving up the north slope towards Trumbull Peak where a historic fire lookout tower sits. Spotters are directing helicopter drops in the area of the tower in an attempt to preserve the structure. The Sierra National Forest is directing the response.

Fifteen homes in and around Cedar Lodge have been evacuated. Command is considering evacuation in the Rancheria Flats area, a residential community on the Merced River Canyon. Current focus is on structure protection near Rancheria and Cedar Lodge.

In cooperation and support to the Sierra National Forest, Yosemite National Park has provided two "hotline" numbers for the public to call for fire informaiton 24 hours per day: (209) 372-0372 or 372-0379.

Basic Information

Incident Type	Wildfire
Cause	Motor Home Fire
Date of Origin	Thursday August 25th, 2011 approx. 12:30 PM
Location	Merced River Canyon
Incident Commander	David Cooper

Current Situation

Total Personnel	615
Size	2,500 acres
Fuels Involved	6, Pine and brush.
Fire Behavior	Crowning with a rapid rate of spread
Significant Events	Evacuations and Road Closures: Cedar lodge, Incline and local Merced River Canyon Campgrounds were voluntarily evacuated. Rancheria, Old El Portal, and Yosemite West have been advised to prepare for evacuations. Highway 140, from the Foresta Bridge west is closed. There is no estimation as to when Hwy. 140 will re-open.

Outlook

Planned Actions	Air tankers, Helicopter types 1&2,Dozers, Hotshot Crews, Type 1,3&6 engines. The Central Sierra Type two Incident Management Team will be on scene Aug. 26 to take command of the fire response efforts. Additional fire resources have been ordered.
Growth Potential	Significant. The fire has made a significant run in Dry Gulch Canyon.
Terrain Difficulty	The fire is terrain driven in very steep canyon slopes, and has burned to the top of the ridges above the Merced River on both sides of the canyon.
Remarks	Local Law enforcement recommend procationary measures. Stay away from Hwy 140 heading to Yosemite National Park. Residence south of the Yosemite maintenance station are being evacuated. As of 4:30 8/26-The fire has made a significant run in Dry Gulch Canyon. This is bringing us near a decision point/trigger for evacuations in Rancheria Flats, a residential community on the Merced River Canyon.

Current Weather

Wind Conditions	6 mph E

Source: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2520/


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