Walker Fire Update, September 22, 2019

Incident Start Date: 9/4/2019 Size: 54,612 acres Containment: 98% Structures Destroyed: 9
Resources Assigned: Engines: 22 Handcrews: 5 Dozers: 3 Helicopters: 1 Water Tenders: 8 Chippers: 2 Excavators: 5 Road Graders: 2

Total Personnel: 468

Current Situation:

QUINCY, CA – With the warmer and drier weather yesterday, stumps and logs within the interior of the fire produced smoke. Fire personnel flew over the fire and crews patrolled the fire perimeter to ensure that all of the visible smoke was coming from within the interior. More equipment and fire hose were brought off the fire and returned to camp. To date, fire crews have accomplished 7% of the 76 miles of dozer line and 54% of the 13 miles of handline repair. Additional excavators arrived and more are on order. A chipper and two road graders arrived to assist with fireline and road repair. Resource Advisers continue to work with the crews during repair operations to help protect natural and cultural resources and to restore the firelines back to their natural condition by pulling topsoil and vegetation into the disturbed areas where fireline was constructed.

The weather today will be cooler than yesterday with relative humidities in the 20% range. Southwestern winds are expected to increase to 10-20 mph, with gusts in the ridgetops up to 30 mph ahead of the forecasted cold front tonight. A slight chance of showers is possible over the fire late afternoon into the evening.

Many hazards still exist within the fire area including fire weakened trees, rolling materials and poor road conditions. Hazard tree removal continues along many of the roads. Wood chippers are also being utilized along roads to remove brush and slash created from fire suppression efforts.

A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team is beginning an assessment of the Walker Fire. BAER teams assess the risk of destabilization of the soils within burned areas to human life and property.

The following Forest roads are open to the public for through travel: Forest Road 01 and 172, from the Janesville Grade to Genesee Valley (Antelope Lake Road); Forest Road 111 from the Flournoy Bridge to the Forest Boundary.

Forest Closure: The Forest Closure remains in effect with the exception of the roads listed above that have been re-opened. Plumas National Forest has issued a Forest Order for the Mt. Hough and Beckwourth Ranger Districts. Please see Inciweb for closure information and a map of the closure area.

For updates http://www.Facebook.com/usfsplumas or https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6568/.

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Walker Fire Update, September 23, 2019

Incident Start Date: 9/4/2019 Size: 54,612 acres Containment: 98% Structures Destroyed: 9
Resources Assigned: Engines: 22 Handcrews: 6 Dozers: 3 Helicopters: 0 Water Tenders: 1 Chippers: 2 Excavators: 5 Road Graders: 2

Current Situation:

QUINCY, CA – Stumps and logs continued to put up smoke within the interior of the fire yesterday. Fire personnel flew over the fire and crews patrolled the fire perimeter to ensure that all of the visible smoke was coming from within the interior. To date, fire crews have accomplished 14% of the 76 miles of dozer line and 92% of the 13 miles of handline repair. Resource Advisers continue to work with hand crews and equipment during repair operations to help protect natural and cultural resources and to restore the firelines back to their natural condition by pulling topsoil and vegetation into the disturbed areas where fireline was constructed. The Plumas National Forest helicopter remains available to fire personnel if needed.

Cooler weather has moved in for today with temperatures expected to be in the 60’s with a minimum relative humidity around 35%. There is a gradual warming trend this week with temperatures expected in the 70’s on Tuesday and in the 80’s on Wednesday. The winds have shifted to out of the northeast today. A single thunderstorm hovered over the southwestern portion of the fire last night with light rain.

Many hazards still exist within the fire area including fire weakened trees, rolling materials and poor road conditions. Hazard tree removal continues along many of the roads. Wood chippers are also being utilized along roads to remove brush and slash created from fire suppression efforts.

A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team is conducting an assessment of the Walker Fire. BAER teams assess the risk of destabilization of the soils within burned areas to human life and property.

The following Forest roads are open to the public for through travel: Forest Road 01 and 172, from the Janesville Grade to Genesee Valley (Antelope Lake Road); Forest Road 111 from the Flournoy Bridge to the Forest Boundary.

Forest Closure: The Forest Closure remains in effect with the exception of the roads listed above that have been re-opened. Plumas National Forest has issued a Forest Order for the Mt. Hough and Beckwourth Ranger Districts. Please see Inciweb for closure information and a map of the closure area.

For updates http://www.Facebook.com/usfsplumas or https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6568/.

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Walker Fire Update, September 21, 2019

Incident Start Date: 9/4/2019
Size: 54,612 acres
Containment: 98%
Structures Destroyed: 9
Resources Assigned: Engines: 26 Handcrews: 6 Dozers: 6 Helicopters: 1 Water Tenders: 13
Total Personnel: 519

Current Situation:

Walker Fire Update, September 20, 2019

Incident Start Date: 9/4/2019
Size: 54,612 acres
Containment: 98%
Structures Destroyed: 9
Resources Assigned: Engines: 31 Handcrews: 11 Dozers: 6 Helicopters: 5 Water Tenders: 13
Total Personnel: 797

Current Situation:

Walker Fire AM Update, September 19, 2019

Incident Start Date: 9/4/2019
Size: 54,612 acres
Containment: 97%
Structures Destroyed: 9
Resources Assigned: Engines: 40 Handcrews: 20 Dozers: 6 Helicopters: 5 Water Tenders: 30
Total Personnel: 1,073

Current Situation:

QUINCY, CA – Overnight, a half an inch of rain fell throughout the fire area assisting with extinguishing lingering hot spots. Smoke may continue to be visible over the following days as the fire creeps and smolders in unburned fuels within the fire’s interior.

Fire personnel continue to complete suppression repair focusing on mitigating disturbed areas caused by suppression activities. Hand crews and excavators are actively restoring dozer lines in the fire area and returning the slope back to its natural condition by pulling topsoil and vegetation into the disturbed areas where fireline was constructed.

The Forest Closure Order remains in effect. Many hazards still exist within the fire area including fire weakened trees, rolling materials and poor road conditions. Hazard tree removal continues along many of the roads and wood chippers are also being utilized to remove brush and slash from the burn area.

The removal of fire hose and other equipment from the fireline is near completion. Crews brought in approximately 83 miles of hose (the distance from Taylorsville to Reno, Nevada) which will be inspected and potentially reused for future incidents. In addition to the recovery of equipment and supplies, the Plumas National Forest partnered with a private contractor, Human Eco Recycle, to reduce the amount of garbage generated throughout the incident. Approximately 380 pounds of batteries, 187 bags of plastic bottles and 74 yards of cardboard have been recycled.

Forest Closure: Plumas National Forest has issued a Forest Order for the Mt. Hough and Beckwourth Ranger Districts. Please see Inciweb for closure information and a map of the closure area.

Road Closures: Janesville Grade, Genesee Valley Road at the Flournoy Bridge, Antelope Lake Road from the Flournoy Bridge to Antelope Dam, and beginning at the Flournoy Bridge turnoff, the 111 Beckwourth-Genesee Road is closed through the fire area.

For updates http://www.Facebook.com/usfsplumas or https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6568/.

Incident Start Date: 9/4/2019
Size: 54,612 acres
Containment: 97%
Structures Destroyed: 9
Resources Assigned: Engines: 71 Handcrews: 37 Dozers: 7 Helicopters: 6 Water Tenders: 31
Total Personnel: 1,529

Current Situation:

QUINCY, CA – Overnight an infrared mapping flight was completed and some interior hot spots were identified, but nothing outside or near containment lines. The small increase in total acreage was due to an interior pocket burning within the fire perimeter.

Yesterday, crews patrolled and mopped up hot spots within the fire perimeter, and removed used hose, tanks and other equipment from the containment lines. Crews are now focusing on suppression repair and rehabilitation, working closely with Resource Advisors. Hand crews restored some dozer lines in the northwest section of the fire area, returning the slope back to its natural condition by pulling topsoil and vegetation back into the disturbed areas. This is done to prevent erosion, protect cultural sites and help these areas revegetate more quickly.

Firefighter safety remains a top priority. Many hazards still exist within the fire area including fire weakened trees, rolling materials and poor road conditions. Numerous fire personnel were released from the incident to return to their home units yesterday and most will be leaving by the end of this week. Aircraft remain available to support the Walker Fire and the Plumas National Forest. Yesterday they assisted with several small fires in the Forest.

Today, crews will strengthen and complete the small amount of uncontained line on the south end of the fire and continue removing unneeded equipment from the fire area. Rain showers began this morning and will continue into the afternoon with a chance of thunderstorms.

Forest Closures: Plumas National Forest has issued a Forest Order for the Mt. Hough and Beckwourth Ranger Districts. Please see Inciweb for closure information and a map of the closure area.

Road Closures: Janesville Grade, Genesee Valley Road at the Flournoy Bridge, Antelope Lake Road from the Flournoy Bridge to Antelope Dam, and beginning at the Flournoy Bridge turnoff, the 111 Beckwourth-Genesee Road is closed through the fire area.

For updates http://www.Facebook.com/usfsplumas or https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6568/.

Walker Fire AM Update, September 17, 2019

Walker Fire PM Update, September 16, 2019

LAST EVENING UPDATE

Incident Start Date: 9/4/2019
Size: 54,518 acres
Containment: 95%
Structures Destroyed: 0
Resources Assigned: Engines: 119 Handcrews: 47 Dozers: 18 Helicopters: 6 Water Tenders: 33
Total Personnel: 2,013

Current Situation:

QUINCY, CA –A cold front swept across northern California today bringing a significant amount of wetting rain throughout the fire area. Approximately one inch of rain and 150 lightning strikes were received throughout the day. Firefighters patrolled containment lines during the day to ensure the fire held within its perimeter. During the periods of heavy rain, fire personnel and equipment were pulled off the fireline in some areas to reduce impacts to natural resources and dirt roads.

With the high increase in containment and the threat of escape mitigated, a large number of fire personnel and equipment have started being released from the incident to return to their home units.

The priority for tonight is the continued removal of unneeded fire suppression equipment, such as fire hose, water tanks and pumps.

Cooler temperatures and lighter winds have decreased the fire activity. Showers should end this evening as the storm passes eastward bringing fog overnight and into the morning. Another drying period is expected to follow on Tuesday with a chance of rain again on Wednesday.

Forest Closures: Plumas National Forest has issued a Forest Order for the Mt. Hough and Beckwourth Ranger Districts. Please see Inciweb for closure information and a map of the closure area.

Road Closures: Janesville Grade, Genesee Valley Road at the Flournoy Bridge, Antelope Lake Road from the Flournoy Bridge to Antelope Dam, and beginning at the Flournoy Bridge turnoff, the 111 Beckwourth-Genesee Road is closed through the fire area.

For updates http://www.Facebook.com/usfsplumas or https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6568/.

Walker Fire AM Update, September 16, 2019

Incident Start Date: 9/4/2019
Size: 54,518 acres
Containment: 68%
Structures Destroyed: 0
Resources Assigned: Engines: 133 Handcrews: 48 Dozers: 22 Helicopters: 6 Water Tenders: 34
Total Personnel: 2,091

Current Situation:

QUINCY, CA – Last night firefighters mopped up and patrolled the perimeter of the fire to ensure the fire stayed within containment lines the winds remained moderate. Crews mopped up two spot fires from yesterday’s activity on the south side of the fire. Both of these spot fires have been fully contained.

The Stony Fire, a new fire which started yesterday, three miles north of the Walker Fire near Clarks Peak, was held at one acre with containment line all around it. This success was due to the rapid detection and response of the Plumas National Forest and designated initial attack fire personnel from the Walker Fire. The cause of this new fire is under investigation.

Priorities for today and tonight are to monitor the fire perimeter as the rains arrive. Large trees will retain heat for a long time and can threaten the fireline if it has a chance to dry out again. Crews will continue to control erosion from the fire suppression activities, working with resource advisors to prevent damage to riparian and archaeological areas. Firefighters will be removing fire suppression equipment in areas where it is no longer needed.

Thunderstorms are anticipated along with the rain today and should end by this evening. Another drying period is expected to follow on Tuesday with a chance of rain again on Wednesday.

Evacuations: Contact your local Sheriff’s Office for the most current information.

Mandatory: Murdock Crossing and Stony Ridge areas

Advisory: Antelope Lake, Frank’s Valley, Flournoy Bridge, and Milford areas

Forest Closures: Plumas National Forest has issued a Forest Order for the Mt. Hough and Beckwourth Ranger Districts. Please see Inciweb for closure information and a map of the closure area.

Road Closures: Janesville Grade, Genesee Valley Road at the Flournoy Bridge, Antelope Lake Road from the Flournoy Bridge to Antelope Dam, and beginning at the Flournoy Bridge turnoff, the 111 Beckwourth-Genesee Road is closed through the fire area.

Incident Start Date: 9/4/2019
Size: 53,186 acres
Containment: 67%
Structures Destroyed: 0
Resources Assigned: Engines: 133 Handcrews: 48 Dozers: 22 Helicopters: 6 Water Tenders: 34
Total Personnel: 2,091

Current Situation:

QUINCY, CA – Today’s Red Flag Warning resulted in wind gusts up to 40 mph and low humidities across the fire area. Crews worked through the day monitoring and holding firelines. One spot fire did occur in the southern region of the fire. Fire crews worked aggressively and the spot was fully contained. The unburned fuels within the interior of the fire ignited during the strong southwest winds today, creating a plume of smoke visible from Highway 395 and other points around the fire. Structures in this area were not threatened and crews remain on site.

Late this afternoon, a new fire (the Stony Fire) started near Clarks Peak approximately three miles north of the Walker Fire. Fire crews from the Walker Fire are augmenting local firefighters. Air resources are also providing support to the new incident. The cause of this new fire is under investigation.

Tonight’s priorities are to hold all containment lines, extinguish any spotting embers and mop up to increase containment line depth.