Incident Overview
The Rush fire started on Aug. 12 from lightning and was contained on Aug. 30 after burning 315,577 acres in California and Nevada. The fire was intensified by gusty winds over many days and dry vegetation. Live sagebrush was as a dry as dead sagebrush, for example. These conditions allowed for rapid, uncontrollable fire spread. The part of the fire in California (271,911 acres) constitutes the second-largest fire in modern California history (since accurate record keeping began in 1932).
Final News Release: Rush Fire Contained
Incident: Rush Fire Wildfire
Released: 3 days ago
Susanville, Calif., Aug. 30, 8 p.m. The Rush fire has been contained. Firefighters completed the work of cooling the perimeter to prevent further spread by the 315,577-acre blaze in California and Nevada.
On Friday, roads and areas closed because of the Rush fire will reopen. The Bureau of Land Management announced the reopening today.
"It is important that people driving through the area keep a watchful eye for fire crews and equipment, especially in the areas along the Buckhorn Road in the northern part of the fire," said Ken Collum, BLM Eagle Lake field manager.
He also asked visitors to keep vehicles on roads and trails and out of burned areas to avoid damaging soils that have lost their protective plant cover.
Fire danger is still extreme and fire restrictions are in effect. Campfires are not allowed except in posted, developed recreation sites and campgrounds, smoking is not allowed except inside buildings or enclosed vehicles, and use of internal combustion engines is allowed only on roads and trails. Chainsaw use is prohibited.
Pilots are advised that the "Temporary Flight Restriction" in place for the Rush fire will remain in effect as firefighting helicopters will be operating in the fire area in the coming days.
A small force of firefighters will continue patrolling the Rush fire. The fire organization lead by the Northern Rockies National Incident Management will be fully demobilized on Saturday.
The fire information office in Susanville will close at noon on Friday, Aug. 31. After that, for information on the Rush fire, call the Public Affairs Office of the Bureau of Land Management in Susanville, Calif., at (530) 252-5332 or email jfontana@blm.gov.
NOTE: Use of chainsaws on public lands managed by BLM in northeast California and far northwestern Nevada is suspended because of extreme fire danger. Fire officials remind residents and visitors that fire restrictions are in effect for public lands and national forests in northeast California and far northwest Nevada. Campfires are permitted only in posted recreation sites.
Basic Information
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
|---|---|
| Cause | Lightning |
| Date of Origin | Sunday August 12th, 2012 approx. 06:42 PM |
| Location | 15 miles SE of Ravendale, California |
| Incident Commander | Turman |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 335 |
|---|---|
| Size | 315,577 acres |
| Percent Contained | 100% |
| Estimated Containment Date | Thursday August 30th, 2012 approx. 06:00 PM |
| Fuels Involved | Grass, sagebrush, junipers (5 Brush - 2 Feet) |
| Fire Behavior | No fire seen on Thursday, Aug. 30. |
| Significant Events | The fire is contained. |
Outlook
| Planned Actions | Many resources will demobilize. Remaining crews will mop up hot spots identified by infrared mapping. Suppression repair will continue. |
|---|---|
| Growth Potential | Low |
| Terrain Difficulty | High |
| Remarks | The No. Rockies National Incident Management Team will turn over command of the fire to a local organization on Saturday morning. The fire has burned 271,911 acres in California and 43,666 acres in Nevada. The California acreage figure makes the Rush fire the second largest in modern California history. The following resources are assigned to the fire: 335 firefighters and support people, 2 helicopters, 6 engines, 4 bulldozers, and 16 water tenders. |
Current Weather
| Wind Conditions | 9 g20 mph SW |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 81 degrees |
| Humidity | 12% |
Source: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3151/
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