Great Sunday News!
Size: 26,748 acres
Fire Start: August 29, 2017
Containment: 55 percent
Location: Highway 190, east of Springville
Total Personnel: 1,819
Cause: Human caused, under investigation
Resources: Crews 35, Helicopters 8, Engines 138, Dozers 22, Water Tenders 14
Yesterdays public meeting was livestreamed on Facebook, watch the meeting on TC Facebook filmed by Tulare County Fire Department. An evening update will no longer be distributed, expect a morning update by 9 a.m.
Fire Summary: Last night, firefighters patrolled and mopped up along the containment lines on the western and northern portions of the fire. Firing operations will continue today from Rogers Camp towards Coy Flat to widen the perimeter line to keep fire from moving past it. Additional reinforcement and firing will continue today in those areas.
Firefighters will continue to prepare and improve line on the south edge of the fire on the Tule River Indian Reservation in preparation for a firing operation. Some ignition began in the Blue Canyon area. When conditions are right, fire will be carried across to tie in with the perimeter lines near Solo Peak and Rogers Camp.
Fire suppression repair (impacts directly caused by firefighting efforts or activity) continues on the western and northern portions of the fire. This work will be done along those contained lines at the same time as firing and suppression efforts occur along the east and south perimeters.
Watch a video on the SQF facebook page of Incident Commander Mike Minton, or Operations Chief Keith Gurrola as they describe the strategy for continuing firing operations near Camp Nelson and on the Tule River Indian Reservation.
Evacuations: Tulare County has two levels of evacuations: voluntary and mandatory. Mandatory evacuations are issued when the fire poses an imminent threat to life and property. There are currently no voluntary evacuations.
Mandatory: Sequoia Crest, Mountain Aire, Rogers Camp, Pierpoint Springs, Cedar Slope, Camp Nelson, Doyle Springs, Alpine Village, Wishon
Evacuation Center: As of 8 pm Friday evening the Red Cross shelter in Porterville was closed, there were no longer any evacuees that were sheltered at that location. They are equipped to reopen if needed. For additional assistance, please contact Red Cross at 661-324-6427 ext. 6510.
Area Closures: Sequoia National Forest trails, roads, and lands around the Pier Fire are closed (Closure Order No. 0513-17-34, https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5548/39662/. CAL FIRE has closed Mountain Home State Forest, and Tulare County has closed Balch Park. All areas are closed until the fire is brought under control. Suppression repair work will take additional time after the fire is contained; recreationists should plan ahead.
Hard Road Closures: The following roads are closed to all traffic:
Cow Mountain Road at its intersection with Rio Vista Road.
Highway 190 east of Springville is closed at Upper Rio Vista Road to eastbound traffic.
Highway 190 north of Ponderosa is closed at Forest Road 21S50 to westbound traffic.
Smoke: Information for the levels of smoke in communities affected by the Pier Fire; http://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/2017/Pier#Main
People with respiratory conditions, young children, and elderly people may be susceptible to adverse effects. Air District officials urge residents to follow their doctor’s advice. For more information, see https://www.cdc.gov/features/wildfires/index.html or http://valleyair.org/wildfires.htm
Basic Information
Current as of 9/10/2017, 6:55:31 AM
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Under Investigation
Date of Origin Tuesday August 29th, 2017 approx. 02:30 AM
Location Highway 190 at Wishon Road 7 miles East of Springville
Incident Commander Mike Minton, CIIMT5 Jeff McLaughlin (TC), Derek Staberg (CalFire TUU)
Current Situation
Total Personnel 1,819
Size 26,748 Acres
Percent of Perimeter Contained 55%
Estimated Containment Date Wednesday September 20th, 2017 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels Involved
Dormant Brush, Hardwood slash, timber, including areas affected by tree mortality. Fire is located in a heavy timber mortality area. The southern portion of the fire is burning in a location with little to no recorded fire history.
Significant Events
Overnight, active fire behavior was seen in the lower elevations well away from control lines. Interior islands were creeping, backing, and smoldering. Heavy fuels over the higher terrain continued to burn actively with low and moderate intensity surface fire as well as occasional tree torching. Steep slopes produced rollout and limited spotting in recently burned areas.
Outlook
Planned Actions
Provide structure protection for threatened communities and infrastructure. Construct direct and indirect containment line where feasible. Plan and construct contingency line.
Projected Incident Activity
A full suppression strategy is to be implemented on the Pier Fire. Values at risk associated with the incident include human safety, private property, and associated improvements, electrical power infrastructure, Giant Sequoia groves, and cultural values. Minimize acres burned on privately owned and tribal lands. Apply tactics on public lands that offer the highest probability of success.
Remarks
The voluntary evacuation order for the Upper Rio Vista Area was rescinded yesterday.
Current Weather
Weather Concerns
Partly cloudy with a 20% chance of thunderstorms. Lows 63-68 lower elevations and 55-60 higher terrain. Maximum humidity 35-40 lower elevations and 45-50 higher terrain. Winds downslope 2-6 mph. Ridge winds southeast to east 6-10 mph.