When the Dome Fire broke on August 15th from lighting, the Mojave National Preserve responded with every available resource they had to contain and suppress this fire. The Preserve has only a small contingent of suppression resources and was supported by the Bureau of Land Management and San Bernardino County Fire. Because of the numerous fires throughout the state, additional resources were limited or experienced long travel times to the location.

During the initial attack, fire personnel experienced extreme and potentially unsafe fire conditions which reduced the ability to implement traditional tactics such as direct attack. Due to passing thunderstorms the fire exhibited rapid runs. The winds shifted from one direction to another causing the head of the fire to continuously change directions. Firefighters were exposed to excessive heat. Additionally, the vegetation was at historic dry levels and ignited easily.

The objectives of wildland firefighting are the protection of life, property and the natural resources. Decisions are made by the fire commanders to utilize strategies and tactics that have the best chance for success while providing for firefighter safety.

Fire personnel had little to no support for additional resources to fulfill objectives. When other large fires occur prior to or simultaneously, the regional fire directors have to make critical decisions regarding which incident will receive fire resources. While currently in a National Preparedness Level of 5, it may be nearly impossible to adequately to support all fires to the ideal requirements. Priority is typically given to fires in areas where a large population and valuable infrastructure are located; wherein the fire has the most probability to rapidly grow to a more challenging size and character, becoming more difficult to control.

With the limited resources on the scene of the Dome Fire and little support confirming arrival, the incident commander and agency managers determined the need to order a Federal Incident Management Team. Teams such as these bring a contingent of highly experienced leadership to provide operational, planning and logistical support. In addition, the teams can improve the ability to order and receive the fire resources needed.

During the current recent fire conditions, fire managers never consider the option of supporting naturally caused fires to burn for resource benefit. This strategy is too risky to control, and it is not conducive to meeting ecological objectives.

As additional fires start and grow exponentially, the fire service is experiencing a 'draw down' in staffing at the national level. Unfortunately, the possibility of quickly containing fire starts may be limited as the season continues to be hot, dry and thunderstorm activity resumes.

Seneca Smith, Public Information Officer - CA Incident Management Team 12

 History of Mining on Mojave National Preserve

News Release  August 18, 2020

Colton, WA - The Chief Timothy Fire is located about 5 miles west of Clarkston, WA on the Washington side of the Snake River canyon. It started on Sunday August 16 and has burned approximately 1,400 acres of rangeland (grass and brush). Due to steep terrain, incident personnel have not mapped the fire perimeter with GPS units, therefore the incident size is approximate based on visual observations.

Northeast Washington Incident Management Team 3 was dispatched to assist the initial suppression efforts by Whitman and Asotin County Fire Districts and local landowners. The initial efforts by crews, aircraft, and equipment, resulted in dozer and hand control lines surrounding the current fire perimeter. Fire camp is established at the Colton School.

Last night fire crews patrolled the perimeter and provided structure protection for homes in the vicinity. There are no evacuation orders in place or expected.

Today, Crews are working on securing the fire perimeter by reinforcing established control lines and making sure hot spots near the fire control lines are extinguished.

Very hot temperatures are predicted for today with a slight chance for thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.
 
 

Quick Facts

Chief Timothy Fire

Incident Start:

August 16, 2020

Incident
Approximate

Size:

Approx. 1400 acres

Fire
Containment:

30% Contained

90% Lined

Assigned

Resources
on the
Incident

Hand Crews: 2

 Engines: 10

Total

Personnel on Incident:

95

Estimated incident
Containment Date:

Thursday, August 20

Fire Cause:

Human

Evacuation Orders:

None

News Release  August 19, 2020

Colton, WA - The Chief Timothy Fire is located about 5 miles west of Clarkston, WA in the Snake River canyon. It started on Sunday August 16 and has burned approximately 1,400 acres of rangeland (grass and brush). No homes are threatened.

Crews spent yesterday reinforcing control lines. Where conditions allowed (not too steep, etc.), crews extinguished any remaining hot spots within 50 feet of the fire control line. Fast moving thunderstorms passed over the fire yesterday afternoon and early this morning with no change to estimated containment or acres.

There are no evacuation orders in place or expected.

Today  Crews will continue to extinguish hot spots to expand the fire line to 100 feet where terrain and conditions are safe. 
 
 Incident Start date:  8/16/20

Incident approximate size:  1,400 estimate

Fire Containment:  80% contained,  100% lined

Assigned resources on scene:  Hand crews : 2
                                             Engines: 10

Total personnel on incident:  95

Estimated incident containment date:  8/20/20

Fire Cause:  Human

Evacuation orders:  None

8 Mile Fire: 625 acres, 100% contained
Location: approximately 8 miles west of Sanderson, Texas

The 8 Mile Fire is 100% contained and has been turned back over to the local fire department to monitor.

8 Mile Fire: estimated 625 acres, 90% contained
Location: approximately 8 miles west of Sanderson, Texas

The fire looked really good today. Some smokes are still visible, but no threats to the line currently. Crews addressed several smokes today and cold trailed the retardant lines and areas inaccessible to the dozers. Crews will continue improve and mop up along containment lines tomorrow.

8 Mile Fire: estimated 550 acres, 45% contained
Location: approximately 8 miles west of Sanderson, Texas

Late last night, crews continued to work to contain the fire. Today, dozer crews will continue to construct and improve containment line. Engine crews will continue to mop up and patrol, focusing on hot spots. Aerial resources will be heavily utilized when available.  
 
Fire Weather: Similar conditions to yesterday with temperatures climbing into the mid 90s and minimum RH falling into the lower 20s. RH recovery overnight will be fair to good. The 20ft wind will start out of the north this morning becoming east with speeds less than 15 mph. No thunderstorms expected today, tonight, or Thursday. 

8 Mile Fire: estimated 550 acres, 40% contained
Location: Approximately 8 miles west of Sanderson, Texas

Aerial resources were very effective in keeping the fire in check while ground resources were gaining access. Dozer crews constructed containment lines where possible. Engine crews conducted burn out operations off the dozer line to remove unburned fuel between the line and the active fire edge. Crews will continue to work late into the night to contain the fire.

8 Mile Fire: estimated 450 acres, 20% contained
Location: Approximately 8 miles west of Sanderson, Texas

Fire behavior has remained active throughout the day. Single tree torching and spotting has been reported. Dozer crews are currently engaged and constructing containment lines. Aerial resources were successful in assisting with fire suppression and containment line construction. Ground resources remain on scene to contain the fire.