Updates on the Caldor Fire burning near the Lake Tahoe Basin in California’s Sierra Nevada.
2:45p PDT, 9/2
Up to 811 structures destroyed as crews were able to go in to some places and assess damage.
With better air conditions there have been more active air attacks on the fire throughout the day, especially in the Wrights Lake and Kirkwood areas.
Structure protection ongoing at Wrights Lake with the fire moving N/NE, into the Desolation Wilderness, though bounded on the east by the granite mastiffs of the Crystal Range.
Northeast side of the fire has slowed though it is abutting, or at least close to, the Heavenly ski area.
Firefighters have constructed a dozer line on the fire’s northeast side to protect structures in South Lake Tahoe. They anticipate being able to hold that line.
Kirkwood structure protection a priority today as the fire is currently hung up on a ridge near the ski area.
7:45a PDT, 9/1
Fire is 204,390 acres and 20% contained. Rate of spread slowed yesterday despite the red flag conditions (continuing through tonight at 11p). 544 homes destroyed along with 12 commercial properties and 173 minor structures.
Caldor Fire continues to burn the east ridge of Christmas Valley, south of populated areas. So far there’s a distinct gap between two flanks of the fire where amazing work by firefighters has kept the inferno from burning along 89 to structures in Meyers.
Here’s another view of that gap.
Fire is about 2 miles from Heavenly ski resort. Firefighters hope to move it around Heavenly should the fire approach it. Snow making machines – used previously to protect Sierra-at-Tahoe – will play an important role in such efforts.
With the #CaldorFire on the move, there’s concern it could reach Heavenly. It’s why the ski resort is taking a defensive stance, shooting off these water cannons to protect equipment from a fire, that tonight, is just four miles away and burning this direction. More at 10 @FOX40pic.twitter.com/KwADDAxIoz
Earlier air attacks featuring retardant lines holding the fire by Kirkwood. Some spots by Kirkwood Lake, but “within objectives.”
#CaldorFire (El Dorado Co/ENF) – AA did recon of the area by Kirkwood – said fire is still mostly hung up in the retardant from the operation earlier today – mentioned by Two Sentinels. Lots of spots by Kirkwood Lake but said that those seem to be within objectives.
Winds picking up, blowing embers from the fire – which is burning up ridges east of 89 into the Carson Range – into Meyers where ground crews are putting them out as they land on roofs or start spot fires.
9:00a PDT, 8/31
Satellite heat detection has the fire SE of Meyers burning along a forested ridge close to the neighborhood.
9:45p PDT, 8/30
Fire pretty firmly established in Christmas Valley and the Tahoe Basin.
Fire has spotted into Christmas Valley, heading towards Highway 89.
Video of spot fire that has breached Tahoe basin in Christmas Valley. This is 89 looking east. About half a mile from homes and Caltrans maintenance station. @ABC10#CaldorFire expect more spot fires. winds carry embers 3/4-1 mile with wind gusts. Dozers & hand crews mobilizing pic.twitter.com/KWKmvcVkoW
Some good news from the community briefing: After a firefight 36-48 hours ago, there is no known structure loss at Strawberry.
North side of the fire is slowing due to sparser fuels. Presumably this refers to the crawl up Ralston Ridge last night and the spot fires near Lake Aloha.
1:50p PDT, 8/30
Fire is in the Tahoe Basin, currently hung up on the ridges. There are spots in the Desolation Wilderness by Lake Aloha (last night the fire was spotting to and over Ralston Ridge) and around Lower Echo Lake.
#CaldorFire (El Dorado Co/ENF) – @CALFIRE_CHIEF in press conference: fire made a 20,000 acre run yesterday, the biggest in the last week & a half. Fire has reached the basin but is hung up on the ridges w/ spots around Lower Echo Lake + Lake Aloha in the Desolation Wilderness.
Red Flag warning now in effect through 11p Wednesday (this has been extended). Covers Dixie and Caldor Fires. Winds blowing right into South Lake Tahoe.
⚠️Red Flag Warning now in effect and has been extended 🚩
🕚 Now – 11pm Wednesday 📍 N. Sierra & S. Cascades 💨Gusty winds & extremely dry
Update from Sierra-at-Tahoe, provided by a Sacramento Bee reporter.
Firefighters Saved Sierra at Tahoe resort, with only a vehicle maintenance building burning Sunday night in the Caldor fire. Up Highway 50 toward Echo Summit, the main lodge at adventure mountain sledding area also was intact.. pic.twitter.com/CHllzy1D5f
Spot fires in the Desolation Wilderness (boundary drawn in black). Fire climbed Ralston Ridge overnight and is heading towards Ralston and Tamarack Lakes. There’s obviously a lot of granite in Desolation, but still plenty of forests for runs or spotting, especially given how well it has threaded granite before.
Reports of one structure loss (potentially a parking garage) at Sierra-at-Tahoe. Otherwise the resort seems okay.
Trip report for Matterhorn Peak in California on May 30, 2021.
Result: Summited Matterhorn Peak
Class: 2
Rating: 2/5
Horse Creek Trail from Upper Twin Lake
I got to Annett’s Mono Village around 6:20a, hopeful to conquer my first Emblem Peak and tired from a terrible night of sleep at a motel in Walker and still sore from my first foray into the Sierra since September 2019 (a thunderstorm had dashed that previous day’s hopes of summiting Highland Peak in the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness area).
There are a couple parking lots available at the resort, with the hiker’s lot the furthest along the main road, keeping straight past the marina and ignoring the camping turn to the right. Some confusion about parking permits: Their booth says every car needs a permit, but they don’t open until 8a and have no self-service. I didn’t get a permit or, thankfully, a ticket.
A little after 6:45a I hit the trail. This too is a bit confusing at first as there are multiple paths through the marshy area where Horse Creek Trail meets Upper Twin Lake. I initially took the wrong path, which petered out into brambles. The correct trail, I believe, is the first right from the path that leads through the RV lot – it’s a bigger path than the others. While the AllTrails app doesn’t show it connecting to the Horse Creek Trail, it does so via a bridge that spans the creek.
From there route finding is straightforward until you get to the first headhall.
The switchbacks on the lower part of the trail, like all switchbacks, are agonizing. They gain very little elevation in too many miles. Long, swooping, needless. It’s easy and, in the early morning, alternated between cool shade and the warming sun poking through tree cover. Bob Burd (and others) have taken shortcuts by sticking next to Horse Creek. I’ll probably do that when I return to summit Whorl.
Horse Creek brings a nice melody to the trail until you pass the falls. Then the stream quiets and still settles on the valley with the sun blocked by the left ridge. It’s all quick: I knocked out the first four or so miles in less than 80 minutes. The Sawtooth Range looms high ahead, a reminder of the climbing to come.
The trail gets a little more interesting as the trees break some and you go through rocks and some brush. But the real slog begins around 9600 feet.
Here, in early season even in a low snow year, large patches of it cover parts of the trail, making adherence difficult especially as there are a number of use paths that wind over the rocks.
This is where I made my first route finding decision that slowed me down. Rather than go straight up the fairly firm snow patches – low enough angle and probably soft enough for kick-stepping; crampons, which I had, would’ve made those patches a breeze – I opted to route through the boulders on the left of the snow banks.
These rocks, glacial deposits mixed with fall from the sharp canyon sides, are every bit as annoying as you can imagine. Uneven hopping on unstable boulders that simply takes time and needlessly works legs. Given comfort and equipment, I’d take the snow.
After the first sharp elevation increase, there’s a brief plateau and still hundreds of feet above you, Horse Creek Pass. There’s lots of running water for refills and, on May 30, safe snow pack to cross the stream any time you want.
As the rise began again, I alternated between boulders and traverses on the snow, though generally using boulders for elevation gain. This section is steep and windy and none too pleasant, though a walk in the park compared to the SE slope.
On final approach to Horse Creek Pass, AllTrails recommends taking a route high to the right of the pass. This bypasses the largest and probably steepest snow bank that goes straight over the pass and continues on Horse Creek Trail, a path you’d follow to get, eg, to Whorl Mountain. Following the AllTrails route immediately leaves you on the talus and scree SE slope of the Matterhorn.
I was having problems with my AllTrails app and ended up going straight over the pass, donning my crampons – unnecessarily, the slope wasn’t as steep as it looked, the snow was in fine condition for kick-stepping, and the runout was great if I did slip – for the last snow field. From there, I continued a bit over the pass before seeing a group of three hikers up on the scree to my right. Oops. I needed to backtrack and find a route to that slope.
This little detour, plus the earlier imperfections, added maybe 500 feet of climbing to the hike (5,700 feet of elevation gain, per Strava, versus the 5,280 usually associated with the effort). It also delayed me by 30-45 minutes. Not a big deal; I had plenty of time ahead of me.
The view past Horse Creek Pass
Here the hike devolves into tedium. There’s roughly 1,400 feet of elevation gained in less than a mile on a scree slope. The views are pleasant but the terrain so annoying that it makes the hike rather miserable. It didn’t help that I had back-to-back nights of 4 hours of sleep, had only gotten to 9,400 feet the day before, and had best trained in the Flat Nothing Land of Chicago by running up and down high school bleachers with an N95!
As the slog continued, I definitely felt the affects of altitude. I had to stop every handful of steps, the scree slippage draining my sore legs and my breath needing to catch. Though I didn’t get a headache, my mind felt a bit fuzzy from want of sleep, altitude, and being annoyed.
This continues for a while. Matterhorn Peak finally emerges to the left as the scree firms a little. There was one almost sketchy snow field that had a horrendous runout and steep slope. However, there were many boot prints to follow, a number of them having postholed 6+ inches, so the risk was very low. I put my crampons on just in case, though I definitely did not need them (and did not wear them on descent).
At this point, the route is supposed to assume some fun Class 3 scrambling. I’d hardly call it Class 3. There are no needed technical moves and most of the exposure is only 20-30 feet. Nothing feels sketchy; it’s straightforward scrambling on solid rock. Even coming down it’s easy. Honestly, I had hoped for more fun, something to make my hands sweat.
At 12:10 I reached the summit.
The summit block actually has exposure – you can look down a hundred feet in three directions. But there’s nothing technical in getting to or walking around the summit. The register is box is older and hard to get the lid on or off.
Views are magnificent, especially on a clear day. You can see to the Coast Range’s highest peaks in the west, Lyell and McClure to the south in Yosemite, Ritter and Banner, the Mammoth Crest, and so on. I’m less familiar with the subranges to the north, but the views there are spectacular, too. The glacially carved canyons below are stunning, as is the rest of the Sawtooth Range with Whorl looking tantalizingly close.
I stayed on the summit for about an hour, chatting with some folks who started at 4:30a and then a couple who started at the same time I did. All great people enjoying a beautiful day.
After nearly an hour, I left the summit and began the return trip.
Downclimbing the Class 3 section is straightforward. Good grips, nothing technical, little fear of falling into the exposure. I’m still not used to how my pack changes my center of gravity. That was the hardest part of heading down.
I scree-skied the slopes down, kicking lots of debris and losing elevation many times faster than I gained it, the one benefit of those slopes, and took the correct, high path through Horse Creek Trail. Here, again, it’s largely staying above the central path through the pass. The trail alternated between rock and snow, more rock up high and snow as the descent continued.
From here, route finding did become difficult as I wanted to stay true to the trail, seeing if it was easier than coming up off it. This isn’t strictly necessary: Point-and-shooting downhill will get you to the same place in probably the same time. I was just curious and exhausted. Having the trail think for me would be a nice mental break.
Of course, with the snow covering most of it, I had to keep checking AllTrails for my adherence, which got fairly annoying to keep looking at the device every couple dozen steps. Oh well. Following the trail did make things pretty easy. I got to glissade down a couple snowbanks in wonderful condition for arrests. Definitely the highlight on the way down. Sticking to the trail also kept me off most of the annoying rock and made the descent so much more pleasant than the steep boulder hopping on the way up.
Once on flatter terrain the trail still loses itself in rocks and brambles but always emerges after twenty feet or so. Following Horse Creek will always keep you on the right path.
By now I was dead exhausted and just wanted to sit down in the car. But the switchbacks kept coming and coming and coming, highlighting their inefficiency and teasing nature. They would be easy to run down, though.
At about 4:50p I returned to the resort. Overall it took just shy of 10 hours with 5.5 for the ascent and 3.5 for the descent (1 on the summit). Better route finding, slightly better strength, and better acclimation probably could have shaved an hour off the ascent time.
In the end, this was a pretty tedious hike not worth repeating. I imagine the East Couloir presents a more enjoyable ascent and better challenge. Even the stunning views could fully offset the slog it took to get there.
The above image, courtesy of the National Weather Service Sacramento office shows the expected snow totals from the upcoming atmospheric river, drenching the state from Tuesday night through Friday morning. Needless to say, it’s a lot, especially on the heels of record dryness that prompted elevated and critical fire conditions in mid-January.
In fact, should the storm hit those snow at the Sierra passes, it will single-handedly push snow depth well past the various averages for January 29, according to daily SNOTEL data for Donner Pass, Echo Pass, Carson Pass, and Ebbetts Pass from roughly 2004 to 2020.
Tabular data below. Raw snow depth (now snow-water equivalencies) in inches. Storm number takes the lower end of the forecast.
Donner Pass
Snow Depth
1/24/2021
32
Storm
48
1/29/2021
80
Average
57
Echo Pass
Snow Depth
1/24/2021
37
Storm
48
1/29/2021
85
Average
60
Carson Pass
Snow Depth
1/24/2021
29
Storm
60
1/29/2021
89
Average
57.25
Ebbetts Pass
Snow Depth
1/23/2021
31
Storm
60
1/29/2021
91
Average
60
There will also be some smaller snowfall coming in the next 7-10 days before the likelihood for looming dryness returns. Obviously, the next few days will be crucial to overcoming the current snowfall deficit.
10:45p: Still 900 acres. From the incident page: Planned actions in this period will be to recon and identify primary, alternate, and contingency lines. Construct, strengthen and improve control lines. Protect cultural threatened and endangered resources using a safety first approach.
8:30a: 900 acres with 20 firefighters on it and 0% containment. Full containment expected October 20. Burning west of Courtright Reservoir on the eastern edge of the Dinkey Creeks Wilderness. This is separate from the Creek Fire and one of its spot fires near the west side of Dinkey Creek.
The Bullfrog Fire is burning in timber, understory litter, brush and short grass. Active fire behavior has been observed with running, short crown runs and spotting.
Firefighters are using a confine and contain strategy taking advantage of trails, natural features, and hand crews to fully suppress it.
East Castle Zone SQF Complex – Castle Fire: For over a week, all resource efforts were focused on the defensive tactic of providing structure protection. However, for the past two days, crews have been able to refocus efforts on constructing containment lines near the fire’s perimeter.
Today, work will continue in the areas near Ponderosa with the construction and improvement of containment lines to create a buffer around the community. Crews will provide structure protection as the potential for spot fires still exists. In Camp Nelson, firefighters will be patrolling the area looking for hot spots in an effort to eliminate threats from latent heat sources. Around the Tule Indian Reservation, crews will widen and improve containment lines.
Crews will also continue to patrol the communities in and around Alpine Village, Sequoia Crest, Cedar Slope, as residual heat sources remain a threat. Several fires, caused by blowing embers have been discovered and extinguished by patrolling crews as fire began to ignite exterior features of structures.
With no movement on portions of the southern and eastern flanks of the fire, containment remains at 33%. Air resources will continue to monitor these areas. On the northeast point, the fire continues backing to the west and is now one mile from Sequoia National Park. Backcountry structure protection groups remain ready to respond in the Casa Vieja Meadows area and direct line construction will continue in the Little Horse Meadows area.
Forecasted weather today brings the potential for active fire behavior on the entire perimeter. This will include surface fire activity with moderate rates of spread, single tree and group tree torching with spotting up to 1/2 mile.
Fire movement will primarily be on the southern end of the fire from Camp Nelson to the Kern River. Residual heat from the initial fire front continues to impact the communities of Cedar Slope, Alpine Village, Jordan Peak, and Sequoia Crest. Threats to structures/infrastructure include Peppermint Work Center, Camp Nelson, Pierpoint,Ponderosa, Rogers Camp, Mountain Aire, and the Tule Indian Reservation.
The east side of the fire continues to threaten infrastructure and physical assets at Osa, Beach, Casa Vieja and Beck Meadows as well as the US Geological Service seismic station, The Blackrock Ranger Station, and other infrastructure in the area. The cultural resources on Monache Mountain and in Monache Meadows will also be threatened. The fire in the Kern River Canyon on the north side will continue to threaten the Kern Canyon Ranger Station, private in-holdings and the Sequoia National Park. Overall fire growth is predicted to be the similar as the last 12 hours.
September 17
10:30a: 123,000 acres, still 12% contained. 150 structures destroyed and 3,500 threatened. 14 injuries and 3,000+ evacuated.
SQF COMPLEX-ALL ZONES: The entire complex is a total of 122,835 acres and contains the Castle Fire (122,011 acres) and the Shotgun Fire (824 acres), The complex is currently 12% contained.
East Castle Zone SQF Complex – Castle Fire: Point protection of structures in all communities will continue to be the top priority in the upcoming days and nights. The southwest corner of the fire has continued to experience active fire behavior through the night and early in the day, due to extremely low humidity levels during the day and poor overnight humidity recoveries. Firefighters are working night operations to provide as much protection for area communities as they are able.
Yesterday, the fire ran towards Ponderosa from the northwest and northeast, with multiple spot fires. Firing operations were used to increase a black defensive line around Ponderosa. In Quaker Meadow, the fire spotted south as it moved toward Peppermint. Active fire is on both sides of highway 190.
If conditions are appropriate Today, burnout operations will be implemented on the east side of Ponderosa.
Structure protection in the Kern Canyon Ranger Station area has been turned over to local fire personnel in Sequoia National Park. Further southeast, there was a ten-acre spot fire near Little Horse Meadows. Firefighters worked through the night to secure the area. Today, they will continue working direct near Lion Meadows to secure this fire finger.
East Castle Zone SQF Complex – Shotgun Fire: The fire continues to exhibit low intensity surface fire and is currently 824 acres.
Weather: An upper level disturbance will begin to move across the fire which will bring southwest winds and an increase in clouds. High temperatures will range from 80-89 degrees and humidity levels will be as low as 7-10%.
Castle Fire: The western flank continues to be the top priority and is still exhibiting active fire behavior. Yesterday, a large spot in Jenny Creek caused additional evacuations northwest of the fire area.
On Monday, crews continued work on constructing indirect line from Quaker and Aspen Meadow south to the Kern River. The fire has crossed 190 near Cedar Slope in multiple areas. Through the night, firefighters worked in Doyle Springs.
Today, crews will continue to gather situational awareness and work to put together a plan from south of Cedar Slope to Coy Flat. Structure protection is being enacted for local communities, with point protection and defense being the priority.
Crews are preparing for the fire’s likely movement towards Ponderosa and Camp Nelson, and to maintain the viability of 190. Crews continue to make progress on the eastern finger of the fire between Little Horse Meadows and Lion Meadows. Despite additional growth on that area, crews are still able to construct direct line.
Structure preparation on the eastern flank of the fire is nearly complete, and crews plan to wrap up structure protection north around the Kern Canyon Ranger Station. Aerial resources continue to be used heavily on the fire with 237,000 gallons of retardant being dropped on Sunday, September 13th
September 14
11:10p: 101,000 acres (+10,000), 12% contained (unchanged). Lots of air activity today with VLATs aggressively defending communities.
Fire is burning hot tonight.
Poor relative humidity recoveries, warm temperatures, very low minimum relative humidity, atmospheric instability and winds produced critical fire behavior primarily to the west. The fire will continue to impact the Freeman Creek Giant Sequoia Grove, structure in the Pyles Boys Camp area, communities of Sequoia Crest, Alpine Village, Camp Nelson, and Cedar Slope. It will also impact the Mountain Home State Forest, The highway 190 corridor, USFS facilities and infrastructure in the area. The fire will threaten the community of Springville, Sequoia / Kings Canyon National Park, as well as structures scattered along the west slopes.
The East Flank of the fire will continue to threaten the Blackrock Ranger Station and other USFS facilities, as well as the cultural values and resources in the Monache Meadows area.
The north flank will continue to threaten the Kern River Ranger Station, Quinn Patrol adjacent private land and the Sequoia / Kings Canyon National Park.
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3:15p: Three Rivers now under mandatory evacuation order. Voluntary evacuation warning in Springville.
9,200 acres of giant sequoia have now burned. Fire is part of the ecosystem, but high severity fires destroy rather than rebirth.
Huge air activity over the fire, including the 747 tanker. Seems to be focused south of 190, between Camp Nelson and Quaker Meadow.
11:10a: Cost so far: $21.3 million. 12 injuries, 1,600+ structures threatened. 62 have been destroyed. Nearly 3,500 have evacuated.
The fire is currently 1.5 – 2 miles west of Mountain Home. Fire activity began early on Sunday, with the Jordan Peak Communication Tower being impacted just after midnight. Structure protection was engaged in Alpine Village, Sequoia Crest, and Doyle Springs. The fire gained momentum at this time with strong easterly winds pushing the fire down drainages towards the west with very rapid rates of spread. By 10 AM, the fire was intensely impacting those communities. Wind speeds of over 60 miles per hour impacted the ability to use aerial resources until mid-morning.
Resources were shifted from other flanks of the fire and moved over to the active edge to engage the fire to the extent possible. Late Sunday, firefighters were able to get into the Alpine Village area to provide protection to structures that had not been impacted. Due to remaining heat and impacted roadways in Sequoia Crest, resources were not able to get in to this community.
Resources on the ground and in the air will be coordinated and continually evaluated today. Aerial resources will continue to be used as long as they are safely able to fly and will be dropping water and retardant. Active surface fire with moderate rates of forward spread is in the fire behavior forecast, spotting up to a half mile is likely. Fire will again be active this morning. The priority is to protect values at risk in local communities, providing for firefighter safety first.
On the Sequoia National Park, structure protection at the Kern Canyon Ranger Station will be continued. This work will be completed within the next 1-2 operational shifts. Structure protection and assessment is complete in the Casa Vieja and Monache Meadows. On the eastern finger of the fire, crews have been able to go direct on both the north and south sides, and this area is close to containment. Contained lines on the southern flank will continue to be monitored by air.
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10:20a: 91,000 acres, 12% contained.
Generals Highway in Sequoia National Park is closed.
Infrared view of fire activity (from Sept 13).
September 13
10:20p: 89,000 acres, 12% contained. Lots of air action on the fire today.
Fire ran 8 miles today; crews responding by protecting newly-threatened structures. Looking to keep fire North of Highway 190 and Freeman Creek Road.
Poor RH recoveries, warm temperatures, very low minimum relative humidity, atmospheric instability and winds produced critical fire behavior primarily to the west. The fire will continue to impact the Freeman Creek Giant Sequoia Grove, structure in the Pyles Boys Camp area, communities of Sequoia Crest, Alpine Village, Camp Nelson, and Cedar Slope. It will also impact the Mountain Home State Forest, The highway 190 corridor, USFS facilities and infrastructure in the area. The fire will threaten the community of Springville, the Blue Ridge National Wildlife Refuge and the CALFire repeater site in the area. Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park, as well as structures scattered along the west slopes.
The East Flank of the fire will continue to threaten the Blackrock Ranger Station and other USFS facilities, as well as the cultural values and resources in the Monache Meadows area.
The north flank could impact the Kern River Ranger District, Quinn Patrol adjacent private land and the Sequoia / Kings Canyon National Park.
Made it to Alpine Dr off Redwood on the way to Sequoia Crest. Fire impacted Nelson Creek drainage hard and multiple structures lost in area. But some still miraculously untouched. Crews working now to save homes and knock down hot spots. #castlefire#SQFcomplexpic.twitter.com/gOmphjoNOF
Made it part way up to sequoia crest. Structure group was scouting it. Not safe to pass further still due to tree fall and power lines. Trying to get units in tomorrow for structure defense. #castlefire#SQFcomplex. pic.twitter.com/tFL7b32aFO
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2:15p: Three VLATs currently assigned to and working on the fire.
New voluntary evacuation warnings in Tulare County.
Tons of smoke coming off the fire.
12:45p: Fire looks like it’s making its way to the Balch Park area.
New mandatory evacuation orders in Tulare County.
Lots of air activity. 737 passed through earlier; DC-10 and MD-87 there currently.
11:00a: Fire is making an aggressive run to the west, throwing lots of smoke early in the morning. New evacuation orders posted – do not wait to leave, this fire is moving quickly. Tankers working on that western front.
Bear Fire/Claremont Fire/North Complex Fire Updates
September 23
Complex is 301,000 acres and 75% contained. West Zone (the Bear Fire) is 82,500 acres and 63% contained.
South Zone: Overnight firing operations were successful around Quartz Hill and Onion Valley as crews were able to reinforce containment lines. Resources today will be focusing on monitoring these areas and looking to pick up any possible spot fires. Previously established south zone containment lines remain secured.
North Zone: Firing operations in the vicinity of Grizzly Big Creek to Grizzly Forebay were very productive last night. Crews completed firing to just south of Grizzly Forebay, where crews will look to complete firing during today’s shift. All slop over fires and spots have been picked up and will continue to be patrolled.
West Zone: Near seasonal temperatures remain, along with relative humidity values recovering to around 40 to 50% at night, and falling to around 25 to 35 % during the day. Smoke will continue to be a concern for weather, and air operations. Upslope and then upvalley winds will continue to be the theme during the day, with downslope and then downvalley winds at night. The winds are causing erratic fire behavior in the area of the South Fork of the Feather River drainage where most of the fire activity is taking place in the West Zone. The critically dry fuel moistures make the vegetation extremely receptive to fire. Change is expected to come this weekend and early next week which is expected to be hotter and drier with strengthening winds. A fire weather watch will be issued this Saturday lasting into early next week.
The fire continues to push to the west along the South Fork of the Feather River and has burned to and around the Ponderosa Reservoir. Check lines and tactical firing are taking place to slow the spread of the fire as firefighters aggressively construct more direct and indirect control lines to keep the fire from moving into the communities of Forbestown, Woodleaf, Clipper Mills and Strawberry Valley. In other areas of the fire crews are reinforcing direct firelines, mopping up, and conducting tactical fire patrols.
September 17
10:25a: Entire complex 281,000 acres and 36% contained; west zone is 78,000 acres and 35% contained. Total fatalities still 15 with 1 person missing.
South Zone: Due to increased humidity and lower temperatures, firefighters continued to make good progress gaining containment from Sly Creek Reservoir to Little Grass Valley. The fire remained active in the steep and rugged terrain of Onion Valley. Crews will also continue to construct indirect hand line along Fingerboard Ridge, a north/south ridgeline west of LaPorte Road. Containment lines along the northeast portion of the fire continue to hold.
North Zone: Priorities last night focused on containing spot fires, the largest of which is now approximately 200 acres on the northwest side of Red Mountain. Firefighters made good progress, and this area will continue to be the priority for resources today. Crews are working hard to contain the spots using existing roads, while also preparing indirect containment lines west to Oro-Quincy Highway
In the western portion of the fire, crews held the fire within containment lines and plan to continue preparing Oro-Quincy Highway from the Four Trees area to Big Bend, working west to the Camp Fire burn scar.
West Zone: Today there will be a cold front moving across the region making the airmass unstable and bringing stronger wind gusts. Strongest winds will be above 5,000 ft where gusts to 35 mph may occur. Lower elevations will see afternoon wind gusts up to 20 mph. Because of this there is a potential of erractic fire behavior on some parts of the fire.
Firefighters continue to fight to get into those areas of difficult access to make sure those areas of the fire are contained. The fire is burning in areas of heavy fuel loading, steep-rugged terrain intermixed with structures. Firefighters have been engaged in structure defense and constructing direct and indirect fire lines. View dozers at work here. Limited visibility due to smoke conditions has limited the use of fixed wing and helicopters to support ground personnel. The fire is actively burning in the South Fork of the Feather River with no known fire history over the past 100 years.
The utility companies have started working on the damaged infrastructure where safe to do so in the fire area. More work will continue as other areas of the fire are deemed safe.
September 14
10:50p: One additional set of human remains discovered. Total fatatlities is now 15. Two people still missing.
Complex is 265,000 acres (+4,000) and 39% (+9pp) contained. West Zone, formerly the Bear Fire, is 77,000 acres (+3,000) and 20% contained (+2pp).
From the evening briefing.
North Zone: Red Flag conditions tested containment lines today, however they held within the current perimeter. Resources in the most active areas of the fire made great progress today building containment lines from Lookout Rock down to Big Bend.
Despite red flag conditions, favorable winds allowed for a small firing operation earlier today at Four Trees to ensure the fire’s edge was kept in check, guiding it up to Oroville Quincy Highway. One 40-acre spot fire was caught on the north side of the highway by Frog Rock, but firefighters are confident they will contain it tonight.
Structure protection groups are in place surrounding the fire’s perimeter to protect nearby communities.
South Zone: Containment lines remained secure today while crews engaged in significant mop up work along Mooreville Ridge from Sly Creek Reservoir to Little Grass Valley.
With favorable winds and slightly clearer air conditions, two small strategic firing operations were executed along the north side of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) to Onion Valley, and in the extremely steep terrain of McCarthy’s Bar. During that small window of time when clearer skies allowed for aircraft to fly, two type 1 helicopters made water drops to support firefighters in these areas. Tonight if conditions allow, crews will continue firing along the PCT east to Chimney Rock, which will eventually tie into a small section of LaPorte Road (several miles north of the town of La Porte).
West Zone: The predicted gusty southwest winds and low humidity with periods of near critical fire weather conditions did not materialize as predicted today nor will it over the next two days. There will be an increase in temperatures but the humidity will stay relatively high. The smoke layer over the fire has started to disperse due to the slight increase in winds over the fire. Because of this, aircraft will have the visibility to be able to fly over the fire but the clearing of the smoke will have a negative effect on the fire causing the fire activity to increase.
Firefighters have been successful in strengthening several existing containment lines, developing new containment lines and extinguishing several interior hot spots in an attempt to prevent further spread. Firefighters continue to fight to get into those areas of difficult access to make sure those areas of the fire are contained. Several contingency fire lines are being developed as well.
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North Zone: Firefighters were able to conduct night firing operations near Four Trees, and will continue to prep contingency lines off of roads in the area and on Red Mountain. Priority for firefighting resources remains the areas south of Bucks Lake where firefighters will work to secure all the progress made by night firing operations. Structure protection groups are in place surrounding the fire’s perimeter to protect nearby communities.
South Zone: Containment lines remained secure, while some interior islands of fuel burned in the steep terrain of the McCarthy’s Bar area. Firefighters were successful in working the fire’s edge along Mooreville Ridge to Sly Creek Reservoir.
West Zone: Firefighters have been successful in strengthening several existing containment lines, developing new containment lines and extinguishing several interior hot spots to prevent further spread. They will continue to fight to get into those areas of difficult access to make sure those areas of the fire are contained. Several contingency fire lines are being developed as well.
Last night, firefighters continued to prepare areas of the fire that will be impacted by the predicted Red Flag Warning with south west winds coming in on Monday, late morning, over the fire area.
Recent hot spots, from satellites, circled.
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September 13
10:10p: Two additional bodies have been uncovered, bring the total death toll to 14.
261,000 acres, 26% contained. The West Zone (formerly the Bear Fire) is 74,000 acres and 18% contained.
Red Flag Warning tomorrow with southwest breezes transition to downslope and down canyon winds with gusts up to 35mph. Minimum humidity near 15%.
North Zone: Mop up continues around the northeastern perimeter of the fire, and lines continue to hold well. Thanks to cooperative winds, firefighters were able to continue protecting the Lookout Rock and Ontop Mine areas. Moving west, fire activity is more active and in rugged terrain. Crews were able to engage directly with the fire’s edge and mop up other areas, working toward their goal of tying into the 2018 Camp Fire scar.
Some spotting behavior did occur, however firefighters were quick to catch them. Night crews plan to revisit areas that were already fired to make sure they are complete and secure. Structure protection groups are in place surrounding the fire’s perimeter to protect nearby communities, taking extra care in getting through the incoming wind event.
South Zone: Firefighters made great progress today in improving and securing containment lines, and were successful in making the final connection between Little Grass Valley Reservoir south along Mooreville Ridge to Sly Creek Reservoir. In the extremely steep terrain near McCarthy’s Bar, crews were able to start firing operations which will eventually back into the main body of the fire.
West Zone: On the afternoon of September 8th, 2020 the North Complex fire entered Butte County with a vengeance, driven by extreme winds, heavy dry fuels, and steep terrain. The fire remains very active and now more than ever we need to remain vigilant.
Throughout the day, despite the lack of visibility, the weather continued be favorable with minimal winds, lower temperatures, and higher humidities, which enabled the firefighters on the line to accomplish several tasks and develop further containment lines.
Firefighters have been successful in strengthening several existing containment lines, developing new containment lines and extinguishing several interior hot spots to prevent further spread. They will continue to fight to get into those areas of difficult access to make sure that those areas of the fire are contained. Several contingency fire lines are being developed as well.
Due to the size, location, difficult access of this fire and predicted weather, the firefighters have a significant amount of work still to complete. Firefighters are prepping areas of the fire that will be impacted by the predicted Red Flag Warning with south west winds coming in on Monday, late morning, over the fire area. CAL FIRE Damage Assessment Teams continue the documentation of destroyed and damaged structures within the fire area.
10:15a: Operations update
North Zone: Fire activity was calm last night with humidity increasing and smoke laying over the area. Firefighters will continue firing operations today while conditions allow in the Lookout Rock and Ontop Mine areas. Crews will continue to secure what was already fired, with the goal of meeting indirect bulldozer lines where the 2018 Camp Fire scar is located. Structure protection groups are in place surrounding the fire’s perimeter to protect nearby communities, taking extra care in getting through the next incoming wind event.
South Zone: Fire activity was also calm last night in the south zone as firefighters worked to improve containment lines. Near McCarthy’s Bar, crews will continue scouting for the best opportunities to bring fire between ridgelines and current containment lines. Crews will continue constructing hand line from the west shore of Little Grass Valley Reservoir, moving south along Mooreville Ridge and Sly Creek Reservoir.
West Zone: Overnight the weather was in the firefighters favor with decreased winds, lower temperatures, and higher humidities, allowing crews to continue to aggressively fight fire and develop further containment lines.
Firefighters have been successful in strengthening several existing containment lines, developing new containment lines and extinguishing several interior hot spots to prevent further spread. They will continue to fight to get into those areas of difficult access to make sure that those areas of the fire will be contained. Several contingency fire lines are being developed as well.
Due to the size, location, difficult access of this fire and predicted weather, the firefighters have a significant amount of work to still complete. Firefighters are prepping areas of the fire that will be impacted by the predicted south west winds coming in on Sunday and Monday over the fire area.
Updated map. Most of the red has burned hot in the last 12-18 hours.
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September 12
10:45p: 258,000 acres, 22% contained. West zone is 73,000 acres, 10% contained.
Tragically, 12 people have died in the fire and an additional 13 are missing.
North Zone: Firefighters continued gaining depth mopping up along the north and northeastern flank. Moving west, firing operations conducted today in the Lookout Rock and Ontop Mine areas will continue progressing tonight using indirect bulldozer lines to meet with the 2018 Camp Fire scar. Structure protection groups are in place surrounding the fire’s perimeter to protect nearby communities.
South Zone: Firefighters will work tonight to improve containment lines built today. Near McCarthy’s Bar, crews will continue scouting for the best opportunities to bring fire between ridgelines and current containment lines. Moving south, firefighters were successful in engaging directly with the fire’s edge. Tomorrow, they plan to continue constructing hand line around the west shore of Little Grass Valley Reservoir south along Mooreville Ridge and Sly Creek Reservoir.
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11:15a: CalFire released a structure damage map, screenshot below. Fire is 252,000 acres and 21% contained. The North Complex West Zone (formerly the Bear Fire) is 72,000 acres and 7% contained.
North Zone: Firefighters continued to make good progress on securing containment lines and there was no significant fire growth. Firing operations will be focused around the Lookout Rock and Ontop Mine areas. Structure protection groups continue to work in communities surrounding the fire’s perimeter.
South Zone: The most activity was located on the western side of Little Grass Valley, where firefighters continue to scout for opportunities to establish direct and indirect line construction.
Heavy smoke still blanketing the area.
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September 111
11:55p: In slight good news, the number of fatalities has been reduced from 10 to 9: One of the bodies found was actually from an anatomical skeleton model.
Heavy smoke moderated fire activity throughout the day, helping firefighters.
In the north zone, firefighters continued working on a buffer zone to protect Bucks Lake, Haskins, and Highlands. The fire is currently 5 miles from the Meadow Valley and Tollgate areas.
In the south zone, the fire burned close to the west shore of the Little Grass Valley Reservoir. It’s still distant from structures. Community of La Porte is protected by fire lines and hose lays. 500 additional firefighters moving to a camp in Brownsville.
Updated fire map. Most activity on the periphery, but no substantial acreage growth as of this evening.
Here’s the fire from the Bunker Hill camera.
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11:15a: Fire now 252,000 acres, 23% contained (the west zone, formerly the Bear Fire, is 70,000 acres and 5% contained).
North Zone: Last night, crews detected and successfully responded to spot fires on the fire’s north edge. Today, crews will continue constructing lines to connect to Highway 70 in an area north of Elephant Butte and reinforce structure protection in communities.
Buck’s Lake, Haskins, Highlands, and Meadow Valley all currently safe (“no threat right now”) as firefighters “finished off” the fire in that area. Resources still there just in case the southwest winds push the fire in that direction. Mandatory evacuations there still in place.
Resources working Red Mountain to Oak Ridge. Past there, using road systems and contingency lines from the Camp Fire for containment lines.
South Zone: Crews have constructed hand and dozer lines with hose lays, utilizing existing roads to complete protection around the town of La Porte. Today, crews will continue to establish direct and indirect line and provide structure protection in the La Porte (dozer lines) and Little Grass Valley Reservoir areas. They’re hoping to build breaks west of La Porte Road, using it as a backup. Not too much activity in the fire there last night. Some activity around Little Grass Valley Reservoir, though infrastructure still stands.
“No issues” around Claremont Peak.
Threatened last night, the infrastructure at Bloomer Hill stands!
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September 10
10:25p: From the official release, here’s where the battle stands.
North Zone: The fire remains in the current footprint from Lee Summit to Claremont Peak. Crews engaged with tactical firing operations near Lookout Rock; reinforcing structure protection in the Bucks Lake, Haskins, and Highlands areas.
They are prepping existing roads and building dozer lines to tie in with old fire scars and contingency lines from the Camp Fire. This will eventually tie in with Highway 70 north of Elephant Butte.
South Zone: Tonight, crews will continue to construct line along the Pacific Crest Trail and prep a series of existing roads south of Little Grass Reservoir to tie into La Porte Road.
Structures within the Little Grass Valley Reservoir area are not currently impacted or threatened by fire but are being prepped with structure protection and hose lays as a contingency.
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10:15p: Seven additional fatalities confirmed, bringing total number to 10. Sadly, the missing 16 year old has been identified as one of them. 16 people missing (up from 12 yesterday).
2,000 structures destroyed, 23,000 more threatened.
9:55p: Firefighters actively defending structures off Springton Road by Maidu Run. Trying to stop eastern spread with dozer line between Maidu Run and Lothrop Lane.
The fire has also made its way to Bloomer Hill, as captured dramatically by ALERT cams. Important infrastructure here, so firefighters will be working to defend as best they can without reinforcements coming due to road blockage.
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3:50p: Fire still burning off Shady Lane in the west Berry Creek area. A lone civilian fought flames there as his neighbor’s house burned. Crews activiely defending structures there and on Kelly Ridge. More information coming at 6:01p with the nightly press conference. No planes currently in the area.
1:40p: Tons of smoke in the area, limiting air activity. Satellite isn’t picking up new heat detections in the last 12 hours, a testament to cooling temperatures, decreased wind, and slightly higher humidity. Far from out of the woods, though.
10:30a: Acreage revised down to 247,000; structure damage up to 2,000 (there’s been confusion over whether this number is 200 or 2,000). Winds died down Wednesday night after their gusts drove fire growth on Tuesday. Temperatures have also fallen and humidity has increased.
Firefighters spent Tuesday/Wednesday performing rescue missions. Now they’re focusing on containment lines to protection threatened population centers. They will also begin damage inspection.
Visibility remains low because of the smoke sitting in the area.
Paradise lifting its evacuation warning for Zone 14, good news for an area that can’t catch a break.
The Bear Fire will now be known as the North Complex West Zone.
Thanks for reading! Hoping to provide useful information about the Bear Fire/North Complex Fire. Would appreciate any coffee to listen to the scanner later into the night 🙂 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/rs44
9:15a: Still 12 people missing. Of the three fatalities, one was found in a car, trying to flee the flames.
The mountain community of Berry Creek has been nearly destroyed by flames. Camp Okizu, a retreat for children suffering from cancer, has significant damage.
Official incident map below.
7:30a: 26,000 buildings at risk, at least 200 have been destroyed (on initial count). 1,300 firefighters battling the blaze.
Fire burning hottest at south and southeast (per GOES-17). Winds will shift to come from the south/southwest, which could threaten smaller communities currently to the fire’s east. Potential for extreme fire behavior where wind meets slope.
Thanks for reading! Hoping to provide useful information about the Bear Fire/North Complex Fire. Would appreciate any coffee to listen to the scanner later into the night 🙂 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/rs44
September 9
10:15p: 252,000 acres, making the North Complex Fire the ninth largest in state history. Most of that happened in a a single day when the fire jumped containment lines and ran to Lake Oroville. You can see that charge here.
Thanks for reading! Hoping to provide useful information about the Bear Fire/North Complex Fire. Would appreciate any coffee to listen to the scanner later into the night 🙂 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/rs44
The ops map for the fire (full resolution available here).
6:45p: Sad news from the press conference: Three confirmed fatalities in Butte County. 100 people have been rescued, the sheriff’s office is still looking for 12 more, and a preliminary count shows 200 structures damaged or destroyed.
Fire still east of Kelly Ridge. The winds yesterday – 45 mph – led the fire to jump its containment lines and make a 200-210,000 acre run. In a single day, the fire burned enough acres to be one of the largest 8 fires in California history.
2:10p: Six firefighters were sheltering off Lumpkin Road due to fire activity. They have since been rescued, one with a respiratory injury.
Satellite detection shows the fire almost surrounding Lake Oroville. Winds blowing south around 10mph.
Here’s the fire from Yankee Hill. This image is from right now.
Bidwell Bar Bridge surrounded by flames.
The Bidwell Bar Bridge is surrounded by fire in Lake Oroville during the Bear fire in Oroville, California, as dangerous wildfires rage across the state. https://t.co/M4BOsrBqY9pic.twitter.com/fxkevRHuMb
A few burned out properties at #Creekfire yesterday morning, then extreme fire activity all night/this morn at the #Bearfire near #Oroville. Shot through the night. Extremely tired. It's still burning. Fire crews spread extremely thin.
8:30a: Satellite heat detections show the North Complex Fire show the fire grew by around 250,000 acres in 24 hours, pushing hard to the south. This would make it the 7th or 8th largest fire in CA history, a standing achieved in just 24 hours. Those same maps show the fire threatening the town of Oroville and the Highway 70 corridor.
To put last night's incredible southwestward run on #BearFire into perspective: a conservative estimate based on current satellite heat detections suggests fire expanded by ~250,000 acres in ~24 hours. Fire now directly threatening Oroville, Hwy 70 corridor. #CAwx#CAfirepic.twitter.com/4J6epC1FyR
You can see the fire in the distance with the Camp Fire scar in the foreground. Paradise is close to the fire, but its movement to the south puts a little less pressure on the recovering town.
10:30p: Lives at risk. This is currently the fire to watch. Follow local sheriffs, listen to evacuation order, be prepared to leave on a minute’s noticed when warned.
#BearFire/#NorthComplex – Extreme fire activity around the Bean Creek Rd area where reported civilians are trapped, resources will attempt to get when possible. Life safety/evacuations is the only priority right now.
10:10p: Resources are stressed thin. If you’re in an evacuation zone, get out immediately – there might not be anyone to rescue you if things go south.
Fire jumped the Feather River, trapping 8-9 civilians.
#BearFire/#NorthComplex – Reports of 8-9 civilians trapped in the 1900 block of Bean Creek Rd which is off Bald Rock Rd where fire has jumped the Feather River. More resources being sent up into the Berry Creek area.
Paradise, decimated by the Camp Fire in 2018, is just north of the evacuation zones and not currently in the direction of the fire. It could be at risk, though, with slight wind changes and further westward spread.
There has been some undergrowth since the Camp Fire and imperfect cleanup, meaning fuels are there.
Yes, work in that area often, there is a lot of under growth with not much clean up as some properties have been abandoned, along with numerous burnt trees from Camp Fire yet to be cut down & removed, also many locations with fallen & cut up trees left stacked.
9:00p: Fire has reached the east side of Lake Oroville, burning at Lumpkin Bridge.
8:50p: Forbestown will be threatened in the next couple of hours as the fire continues to spot some 2 miles in front of itself. The fire has run 25 miles today and may be approaching the east side of Lake Oroville. Continuing with a critical rate of spread.
40,000 acres have burned as the fire exhibits extreme behavior with a growing pyrocumulus plume reaching 40,000 feet.
Spot fires running ahead of the complex and rushing toward the community of Cascade. Heed all evacuation orders. Be ready to move, orders are coming fast.
#BearFire/#NorthComplex – There are spot fires 2-4 miles out in front of the fire right now & it's getting close to the community of Cascade. Some people refusing evacuation orders in the Clipper Mills area.. please evacuate if ordered. pic.twitter.com/oJnDUjoBF3
The North Complex Fire has jumped containment lines established a few weeks ago when a lightning storm started the Claremont Fire. Driven by the offshore winds – some gusting to 60+ mph – the fire is racing southwest.
Daniel Swain, UCLA climatologist, likens it to the Camp Fire based on shape, smoke cloud, and vegetation ahead. The danger goes without saying. Be prepared to evacuate, listen to orders, and get out if you see flames because the fire is moving fast.
Yes…bad feeling about this one; the only mitigating factor is that there aren't any big towns immediately downwind. But under current conditions, this thing could run to the Sac Valley eastern margin…
Also risk of a plume collapse, which could accelerate the fire’s spread and cover a vast area in smoke.
#BearFire/#NorthComplex – FF's in the La Porte area being warned about potential for the smoke column to collapse. Fire is down as far as Lumpkin Ridge but not yet @ La Porte per radio traffic.
Expected increased wind speed will lead to increased spread through uphill runs towards Hell Hole Dam.
Monday night: Downslope flows will develop, and ridgetop east to southeast winds will lead to poor relative humidity recovery and warm temperatures.
Tuesday: Warm and dry conditions persist, with afternoon temperatures around 80 and relative humidity in the mid teens. Gusty afternoon southwest winds will develop on ridgetops and aligned drainages.
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10:00a: Crews have made progress making containment lines on the eastern side to secure the Airport Flat area. Some pockets of heat within the containment line; these, and standing dead fuel, pose safety risk to firefighters.
Contingency lines – in case fire activity picks up dramatically – created around Little Dear Creek to the fire’s north. On the southwest, teams began clearing hazardous trees to allow for safer access to the fire. Line now extends 0.5 miles down the ridge near the South Creek and South Fork of the Rubicon.
Critical fire conditions coming this afternoon.
Satellites haven’t picked up any hot spots in 24 hours.
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September 13
10:00p: Little is burning hot. Fire has checked itself on reaching the King Fire scar. Some backing on the southwest ridge.
However, critical fire conditions return Monday. Winds will increase uphill runs to Hell Hole Dam. From the incident page:
Warm and dry conditions with poor overnight humidity recovery will continue over the next several days. Low pressure drifts toward the coast, gusty southwest winds will develop Monday afternoon, with near critical fire weather conditions occurring across ridgetops and aligned drainage.
Sunday night: Downslope flows will develop, though ridgetop east to southeast winds will lead to poor relative humidity recovery and warm temperatures.
Monday: Warm and dry conditions persist, with afternoon temperatures in the low 80’s and relative humidity in the low teens. Gusty afternoon southwest winds will produce near critical fire weather conditions on ridgetops and aligned drainages.
Firefighters working to establish direct control lines where possible, using indirect control line where direct control lines aren’t feasible. They’re holding and monitoring existing lines along current perimeter and providing structure defense to residential structures in the threatened communities.
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10:00a: Critical fire conditions coming today. With clearing smoke, firefighters hope for tanker passes on hot spots on the fire’s northeastern front.
Operations update: Yesterday, crews focused on strengthening the lines east and south on the Fork Fire to prevent fire movement toward Gerle Creek and Airport Flat.
Today, firefighters will shift their work toward the north and east where winds may push fire activity and test containment lines. Crews will continue to mop up and hold the south side of the fire area.
Firefighters have identified a planned fire line near the southwest edge of the fire toward the South Fork of the Rubicon River. Crews continue to scout for safe containment options further west across the Rubicon River, although steep topography and weakened snags present many potential challenges.
On the northeast side near Little Deer Creek, a containment line was established and improved. In preparation for the critical fire conditions, the crews will attempt to use helicopters and Super Scoopers to cool active fire spots along the northeast edge, if weather permits.
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September 12
10:30p: 1,700 acres, 7% containment. Satellites still not picking up any heat; nothing visible in tonight’s camera.
Fire is in the Rubicon drainage and King Fire scar. Sparse fuel has slowed it.
Weather: Saturday night: Downslope flows will develop, though ridgetop east to southeast winds will lead to poor relative humidity recovery and warm temperatures. Sunday: Warm and dry conditions persist, with afternoon temperatures around 80 and relative humidity in the teens. Gusty afternoon southwest winds will produce near critical fire weather conditions on ridgetops and aligned drainages.
11:00a: No change in acreage or containment (full containment expected September 22). Satellites not picking up any major heat in the last 24 hours.
Warm and dry conditions with poor humidity recovery will continue and nearby high pressure will lead to light, mainly diurnal upslope and downslope winds through Saturday night. Low pressure approaching the coast will produce increased southwest winds on Sunday and Monday, with critical fire weather conditions possible.
Fire was possibly visible last night on the Bunker Hill cam; this morning, no flames can be seen and little smoke. Overall conditions clearing a bit.
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September 11
11:50p: Aerial mapping today – no air attacks because of visibility – puts the fire at 1,600 acres, versus yesterday’s estimate of 2,200. 7% containment. Smoke layer and low winds meant little fire activity (satellite doesn’t pick up new hot spots). However, the smoke will likely start to clear tomorrow afternoon and winds will pick up Sunday into Monday, potentially leading to increased fire activity.
Mandatory evacuation orders lifted – now evacuation warnings.
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4:45p: Little heat coming from the fire. Press conference at 6p PDT, which will hopefully provide more details.
11:45a: Heat detection only picking up one new hotspot in the last day, this one on the fire’s south east end. Bunker Hill camera now oriented away from the fire, so hard to tell what smoke’s being thrown.
Another satellite image showing little activity
Ongoing mapping activity (fire currently estimated at 2,200 acres).
September 10
10:00p: Two minor injuries confirmed.
9:45p: Fork Fire size revised up to 2,200 acres (weather conditions have prevented accurate mapping; this is based on drone and on-the-ground data). It’s burning in the Rubicon River drainage and King Fire burn scar. Rugged terrain makes firefighting difficult and dense timber and fuel from trees killed in the King Fire aided initial spread.
Operational goals are to protect private property and nearby communities. Operational objectives are to keep the fire west and north of Wentworth Springs Rd., east of 11 Pines Rd. and south of Hell Hole Reservoir.
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4:15p: Fire still burning in the Rubicon Canyon with some activity in the King Fire burn scar.
Communities of Stumpy Meadows, Quintette, and Volcanoville still under a mandatory evacuation order.
1:00p: Not much to update. No planes in area, no notable recent hotspots per heat-detecting satellites. Bunker Hill camera is back online. There doesn’t look to be much smoke rising from the burn area, but it’s also difficult to tell because of the all-around smokey conditions and the possibility that the smoke is lying low to the Rubicon River drainage area.
11:00a: Fire revised down to 2,000 acres. Wind has shifted to blow lightly from the west. Official map shows that wind and expected fire movement into Div V lines.
Few new hot spots detected via satellite in the last 12 hours. Unfortunately, the best camera angle of the fire is stuck on an image from the early morning.
7:20a: Yesterday, firefighters built 2.5 miles of dozer line on the South/Southeast side of the fire. That line is currently holding. Two medium super scoopers dumped from Loon Lake onto fire hot spots.
Smoke is still down from a couple days ago.
Thanks for reading! Hoping to provide useful information about the Fork Fire. Would appreciate any coffee to listen to the scanner later into the night 🙂 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/rs44
According to GOES-17 satellites, nothing in the fire is burning particularly hot, a testament to the aerial work done yesterday.
September 9
10:00p: Officially 2,500 acres, 0% containment. Winds shift in the next 12-18 hours to come from the west/southwest, though they should stay light (~10mph). There is risk that this pushes the fire out of the Rubicon drainage and King Fire scar and into areas that haven’t seen recent burns.
Thanks for reading! Hoping to provide useful information about the Fork Fire. Would appreciate any coffee to listen to the scanner later into the night 🙂 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/rs44
5:10p: Fire cams continue to show less smoke activity. Satellite maps not indicating expansion, but important to note the fire is still officially 0% contained. Three tankers working on the fire.
All 18 national forests in California are now closed because of extreme fire conditions.
2:00p: Some air activity of the fire. Smoke creeping into the Tahoe Basin, visible near Emerald Bay.
10:10a: Mapping the burn area, as detected by satellites, shows the fire close to 3,500 acres. Parts of it has jumped the Rubicon River, not sure if it’s established on the other side yet.
Camping prohibitions in place across Tahoe Basin. Also restricting day-use areas, campgrounds, and beaches.
Due to extreme fire conditions, emergency camping prohibitions are in effect across all National Forest developed recreation sites in CA, including CA/NV sides of the Tahoe Basin. Resorts, campgrounds, beaches, day-use areas, parking areas are closed until further notice. pic.twitter.com/0q6dH973LO
Due to extreme fire conditions, camping is prohibited in following areas of the Tahoe Basin until further notice: Meiss Country, along the Tahoe Rim Trail, Luther Pass, Watson Lake, Blackwood Canyon campgrounds. pic.twitter.com/7QCrSygvzz
8:15a: Fire still burning at 500 acres with 0% containment. Temperatures fell overnight and wind is currently around 10mph to the west, blowing the fire to a burn scar.
Smoke is down substantially from yesterday.
Satellite mapping shows the fire in the King Fire scar and active on the fire’s western front. Doesn’t seem like too much spread, though. Evacuations in place for the Upper American River watershed. I don’t believe there are many structures in the area.
8:45p
Fire is 500 acres with 0% containment. Winds have calmed down a bit but the area remains under a Red Flag warning through tomorrow. The fire is pushing into the 2014 King Fire scar.
2:35p PDT, Sept 8
The Fork Fire, which quickly jumped to 500+ acres, is burning near the burn scar from the 2014 King Fire. Wind is gusting towards that scar, which, with luck we haven’t had in 2020, may slow its spread. Aircraft not currently working on the fire, reportedly because of high wind.
2:01p PDT, Sept 8
Right as I posted the below, AA500 put the fire at 500-600 acres, well above the just-reported 100 acres. This thing is growing fast.
#ForkFire (El Dorado NF) – AA500 calling the fire 500-600 acres now. Fire is located about 3-4 miles west of Loon Lake looking @ their orbits.
Thanks for reading! Hoping to provide useful information about the Fork Fire. Would appreciate any coffee to listen to the scanner later into the night 🙂 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/rs44
2:00p PDT, Sept 8
Fork Fire up to 100 acres with “serious growth potential.” Evacuations for Loon Lake, Gerle Creek, and Rubicon trail.
The Fork fire is 100 ac w/ significant growth potential. Located off Wentworth Springs Rd. and the Gerle Creek access. E. of Gerle Creek, S. of South Creek Rd. Evacuations are in place for Loon Lake, Gerle Creek and Rubicon trail areas.
I’m incredibly lucky to have gone to the Sierra Nevada for at least a couple days every year of my life – until 2020, that is, with the COVID-19 pandemic. It wasn’t until a few years ago, 2017, that I discovered just how much I love and yearn for the mountains.
And yet despite, an ever-growing desire to live in them, I’m stuck in Illinois, which surely must be one of the most boring states in the Union. Stuck by volition – a job and relationship – but stuck nonetheless.
Every so often some event makes me further question my decision to stay in a place I absolutely despise. Today, that’s the Creek Fire. Burning in Sierra National Forest to the west and northwest of Huntington Lake, the Creek Fire exploded to an official 36,000 acres in a day – and satellite heat maps show it burning closer to 150,000 acres.
The fire’s ripping through breathtaking scenery and potentially threatening more if – as – it makes its way north to Yosemite National Park. It’s also where I made my second Sierra trip (and first in the summer) outside of the Tahoe Basin, specifically, Desolation Wilderness. In 2018, my mother and I spent an evening near Shaver Lake on the east side of Bald Mountain and then dined at Shaver Lake. The next day we hiked, separately, to Kaiser Peak, from which I had my first glimpse of the distant High Sierra before looping through the forest, detouring to Nellie Lake, and making the way back to the trailhead through Mary’s Meadow.
That view of the High Sierra floored me. I spent hours in the coming days and weeks going through photos, trying to identify the unknown peaks, reading trip reports of them, studying maps for the first time….
I was in love.
Now the landscape around Kaiser Peak and Huntington Lake will be desiccated, scarred for generations. And this, on top of destroying beauty, threatening homes, perhaps taking lives (it’s already critically injured vacationers), reminds me: The Sierra’s beauty is fragile and increasingly at risk from climate change and instead of doing everything possible to explore those forests before coming droughts, bark beetles, and fires destroy them; Black Oaks replace Ponderosa Pines and other conifers; glaciers melt into cirque lakes, I’m languishing in Illinois.
And I hate that. So, so much.
It needs to change, but I guess I’m too scared to. I appreciate my job and don’t know if I’d find one out there (or a remote one). I don’t want to risk losing a relationship I value. But I can’t keep waiting and waiting and watching the Range of Light burn.
