CREEK FIRE

INCIDENT UPDATE

Date: 09/13/2020 Time: 9:00

INCIDENT FACTS

Incident Start Date: 09/04/2020

Incident Start Time: 6:33 p.m.

Incident Type: Wildland Fire

Cause: Under Investigation

Incident Location: Both sides of the San Joaquin River near Mammoth Pool, Shaver Lake, Big Creek and Huntington Lake.

Forest/CAL FIRE Units: Sierra National Forest, CAL FIRE Units Fresno-Kings and Madera-Mariposa-Merced

Unified Command Agencies: Great Basin Team 1, CAL FIRE 1, Fresno County Sheriff, Madera County Sheriff

Size: 201,908

Containment: 8%

Expected Full Containment: 10/15/2020

Civilian Injuries:/Fatalities: 21/0

Firefighter Injuries/Fatalities: 0

Structures Threatened: 14,074

Structures Destroyed: 365*

Structures Damaged: 32*

CURRENT SITUATION

Current Situation:

Fresno County: Today the weather will transition and winds, combined with lower humidity and higher temperatures will begin to develop in the afternoon. The Creek Fire South Zone firefighters are working on multiple fronts that will become more active as the smoke clears.

A lot of good work has been accomplished over the four days that the smoke layer has held the fire activity down. Crews will fight to hold and improve on that work today, and to add to the progress that has already been made. Patrol and extinguishment of hot spots will be the focus around structures south of Huntington Lake where firefighters engaged with a defensive firing operation that saved several structures. Fire also challenged the line in the area of Old Bretz Mill and Sierra Cedars. Firefighters were able to hold the line, preventing the fire from moving toward nearby structures.

The fire did burn over the line yesterday in Jose Basin on the southwest edge of the fire. Crews will work to pick the area up as it backs down the hill. They will also be patrolling around structures and mopping up any hot spots.

Line construction will continue in multiple areas. Construction of fireline between Shaver Lake and Dinky Creek is a high priority for fire managers. The lack of a suitable ridge to the east to use as a contingency line is a concern. Fireline work will continue along Cherry Valley and into Blue Canyon where firefighters are concerned that the fire could become aligned with the wind and make a run. In the northeast the fire has been running along the North and South Zone dividing line for the fire. This finger of fire is burning in light fuels and moving toward natural rock barriers that will slow spread.

Madera County: The fire continues to push west toward Central Camp, challenging initial plans for containment lines in that area, but structure protection remains in place. Firefighters are developing and improving containment line on the west side of the fire from Redinger Lake north to Cascadel Woods and Central Camp.

The weather pattern is beginning to shift; increasing winds are likely to begin moving smoke out of the north end of the fire, which is also expected to encourage fire growth to the

northeast. Structure protection is underway on the north side of the fire, at Devil’s Post Pile National Monument, and Reds Meadows.

With better visibility, air operations are expected to resume. There have been conflicts between firefighting operations and drones. If you fly, we can’t! Please comply with the temporary flight restriction. Don’t be the reason a firefighting air mission has to divert from the operation.

The Madera County Sheriff continues to enforce evacuation notices and maintain road closures to protect the public. Damage assessments are in progress; the county will notify property owners directly as information becomes available. Firefighters are working to clear roads so that utility companies have access to restore service, as the sheriff’s office begins to develop plans for residents to return to communities.

Incident Briefing:

The Sierra National Forest will host an Incident Briefing Monday at 7pm via Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/SierraNF/

Damage Inspection:

* Damage inspection teams are evaluating structures; assessments are approximately 30% complete. Madera County Sheriff’s Office is contacting property owners directly. A website is available for Fresno County properties that have been assessed to date: https://calfire-forestry.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=1933470ef8ea4c7e9cede56adf54efe1&extent=-13377356.4387%2C4419677.6073%2C-13142541.8878%2C4523937.7139%2C102100.

Closures and Alerts

Please register for evacuation alerts at:

Fresno County: Sheriff Office, sign up with Everbridge. https://t.co/Otack9NyKc?amp=1

Madera County: Emergency Warning Systems: mcalert.org

Mariposa County: Sheriff Office, sign up with Everbridge: msoalert.com

For missing persons contact: Fresno County Sheriff 559-600-3111

Madera County Sheriff 559-658-2555

Forest Closures issued by the USDA Forest Service: US Forest Service temporarily closes Southern California Forests, including the Sierra National Forest. Regional order number 20-07 Emergency Forest Closure.

Evacuation Orders:

Creek Fire Incident Briefing will be aired this evening starting at 7 PM on the Sierra National Forest Facebook page > https://www.facebook.com/SierraNF

#CreekFireUpdate - The evacuation map is now available for use and can be found at the following link > https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=28ce52cb86bf49dea0adef5a78b3c1b5&fbclid=IwAR3LERe1FqxdRjUKLvHj04q2N7WV0f729gKP53_XWZJzeYsgRrWWi3vJfyw 

Creek Fire Incident Briefing will be aired this evening starting at 7 PM on the Sierra National Forest Facebook page > https://www.facebook.com/SierraNF

CREEK FIRE EVACUATION UPDATE

EVACUATION ORDERS HAVE BEEN ISSUED

An Evacuation Order has been issued due to immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to leave now.

FRESNO COUNTY EVACUATION ORDER:

Ø  Community of Tollhouse

Ø  Community of Bourrough Valley

Ø  Community of Cold Springs Rancheria

Ø  Watts Valley Road from Pittman Hill to Maxon Road

Ø  Maxon Road to Trimmer Springs Road

Ø  Pittman Hill from Humphreys Station to Sample Road to include all tertiary roads

TRAFFIC CONTROL POINTS

Ø  Prather Roundabout (SR-168 at Prather)

Ø  Watts Valley Road at Pittman Hill Road

Ø  SR-168 at Lodge Road

Ø  Sample Road at Pittman Hill Road

Ø  Auberry Road at Powerhouse Road

Ø  North Fork Road at Road 222

Ø  Trimmer Springs at Maxon Road

Ø  Tollhouse Road at Pittman Hill Road

Residents should leave these areas listed above and be sure to take any medications, pets, family valuables, etc. with you. Close all windows and leave all doors closed.

All residents are asked to be READY: Create and maintain defensible space and harden your home against flying embers. Get SET: Prepare your family and home ahead of time for the possibility of having to evacuate. Be Ready to GO! Take the evacuation steps necessary to give your family and home the best chance of surviving a wildfire.

For more information on “Ready, Set, Go”, go to www.readyforwildfire.org

For additional information on the Creek Fire, Fresno County residents should contact Creek Fire Information Line at (844) 668-3473. Or visit CAL FIRE online @ www.fire.ca.gov

Creek Fire Incident Briefing will be aired this evening starting at 7 PM on the Sierra National Forest Facebook page > https://www.facebook.com/SierraNF

The Creek Fire a fast-moving fire burning on both Districts of the Forest. The fire which started near the communities of Big Creek and Huntington Lake, moved very quickly prompting several evacuations.

Early Saturday afternoon the fire crossed the San Joaquin River and made a run into the Mammoth Pool area. Prompting some members of the public to shelter in place near Wagner’s Store and Campground. With assistance of the California Army National Guard, 207 people were safely evacuated and have been assessed for medical needs.

The fire burned actively overnight. Crews will be challenged today by steep rugged terrain, heavy fuel loading and high temperatures. Additional resources have been ordered including a Type 1 Incident Management Team. Evacuations and closures remain in effect.

Mandatory Evacuations in place for the communities of Big Creek, Huntington Lake, Shaver Lake and Cascadel Woods.

Evacuation warnings now in effect from Cressman Road -Auberry Road from the top of the four lanes to Powerhouse to the San Joaquin River.-Also included are Jose Basin, Alder Spring, Mono Wind Casino, Meadow Lakes and Mile High.An evacuation warning means there is a potential threat to life and / or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate and those with pets / livestock should leave now.

This vegetation fire is burning on the Sierra National Forest. The fire is located near the San Joaquin River and the communities of Big Creek and Huntington Lake. The cause is under investigation. Fire crews, engines, dozers and aircraft are at scene. Crews are challenged today by steep rugged terrain, heavy fuel loading and high temperatures. Additional resources have been ordered including a Type 1 Incident Management Team. Evacuations and closures remain in effect.  

Creek Fire Update     

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

9:00 am – September 16, 2020

Low Humidity Expected Through Thursday

McCall, ID, September 16, 2020 – Weather remains warm and extremely dry over the Payette National Forest, allowing for significant fire growth for both the Porphyry and Woodhead fires when the smoke inversion from California lifts. As of Monday morning’s infrared mapping flight, the Woodhead was 83,940 acres, doubling in size over the last 48 hours. Growth to the south and southwest has been stymied by early suppression efforts, but evacuations and limited access for the safety of public and fire personnel are in still in place. The most active portions of the fire remain on the north and northeast flanks. An area closure remains in effect, and has been expanded north/northeast following fire growth. Roide’s Type 2 Incident Management Team is managing the fire and sending out daily updates. Follow the Woodhead Fire on Inciweb for more information.

The Porphyry Fire continues to burn in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, 5 miles east of Hettinger Ranch. Twenty-one personnel are currently assigned to the fire and it is being managed by a Type 3 Incident Command Organization. An infrared mapping mission the night of September 15, 2020 updated the size to 12,925 acres. The fire continues to see growth to the east/northeast with southwest winds. Warm and dry weather, as well as a high Haines Index for atmospheric instability, may hamper suppression efforts for the next 48 hours. The most significant growth has been in the drainage of the South Fork of Chamberlain Creek. It is anticipated, however, that moisture will arrive over the region Friday, bringing winds but much cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity.

An area closure remains in effect for the Porphyry Fire. Agency administrators urge South Fork boaters to move quickly through the section impacted by the fire, and for hunters to remain away from the closure area. There are no current threats to structures, but Golden Hand Mine is in the current path of the fire. Fire personnel are focusing on point protection preparations.

Travelers and recreationalists are reminded to remain alert and aware of fire activity. Know before you go and be cognizant of fire and construction impacts to roads and trails.

Use of unauthorized unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, in a fire area endangers the lives of pilots and firefighters.  Never fly unmanned aircraft over or near a fire.  Remember, if you fly, we can’t.

Wildfires can produce high quantities of smoke. In the midst of fire activity, firefighters can do little to reduce smoke impacts. Affected communities should remain aware of smoke advisories and conditions. Learn more at https://airnow.gov.