Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Williams Fire 2012 - 09/05/2012

Current Situation

Total Personnel1,275
Size3,806 acres
Percent Contained24%
Estimated Containment DateThursday September 13th, 2012 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels InvolvedMedium to Heavy Brush. Mostly Chaparral, brush and mixed conifers. Fuels are approximately 15 to 20 years old.
Fire BehaviorThe fire continued active ovnierght while continuing to back down hill in the south and western portions of the of the fire. Slow to moderate activity was observed in the northern and eastern portions.
Significant EventsContinued line construction and reinforecement. Burnout operations were successful. The infrared flight last night will provide additional perimeter information and will confirm active areas on the fire. The evacuation order for the campgrounds and San Gabriel Canyon are still in effect. Highway 39 remains closed. Resources include 8 Air Tanker, 10 Helicopters.68 engines,8 dozer, 46 hand crews and 11 water tenders.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Williams Fire 2012 - 09/04/2012

FIRE Update 7:45 PM


Current Situation

Total Personnel1,142
Size3,634 acres
Percent Contained24%
Estimated Containment DateThursday September 13th, 2012 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels InvolvedMedium to Heavy Brush. Mostly Chaparral, brush and mixed conifers. Fuels are approximately 15 to 20 years old.
Fire BehaviorDuring the last 48 hours, the fire has been in a predominatly downhill backing situation. As the fire comes into alignment with topography, significant flare-ups continue to occur. A burning operation to strengthen certain areas is the reason for the majority of visible fire activity during the day. The primary spread of the fire continues to the north and east.
Significant EventsGood fire line construction progress was made today and burnout operations were successful. The infrared flight from last night provided additional perimeter information and confirmed active areas on the fire. Highway 39 remains closed where rolling rocks are a safety issue. Evacuations of Camp Williams, East Fork Campground and San Gabriel Canyon are still in effect. Resources include 0 Air Tanker, 10 Helicopters.63 engines,8 dozer, 34 hand crews and 11 water tenders.

Outlook

Planned ActionsFirefighters will continue line construction, continue holding existing lines and strengthen the existing lines. Scouting areas for opportunities to engage will also continue as well as structure protection in the Camp Williams area.
Bill rode around Bonelli and took this panorama. Click on picture to get a full view of the panorama.






Last Checked 6:00 am -- Gate is closed this morning. No surprises.


Monday, September 3, 2012

Williams Fire 2012 - 9/3/2012

update 21:50


 


Wow They are throwing alot of resources at this fire. 11 tankers,, 762 personnel.

Current Situation

Total Personnel762
Size3,600 acres
Percent Contained5%
Estimated Containment DateThursday September 13th, 2012 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels InvolvedMedium to Heavy Brush. Mostly Chaparral, brush and mixed conifers. Fuels are approximately 15 to 20 years old.
Fire BehaviorActive fire behavior was observed today with significant burning of interior islands. The fire made runs starting at 3:00 pm today with behavior similar to yesterday's activities. Fire has the potential of making significant runs with high rates of spread with a spotting potential of 1/4 to 1/2 mile.
Significant EventsCentral Coast Interagency Incident Management Team 7, Incident Commander, Jim Smith, took command today of the incident at 1200 noon. Base camp is being setup at Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area. Evacuations of Camp Williams and San Gabriel Canyon were completed today; however, 25 people have elected to stay in place regardless of the evacuation order. Significant air assets, including two drops from a DC-10 were used today with the objective of flanking the fire. Highway 39 remains closed. Resources include 11 Air Tanker, 10 Helicopters.40 engines,8 dozer, 24 hand crews and 5 water tenders. Camp Williams structures threatened. Evacuations of entire San Gabriel Canyon - including disbursed recreation along Highway 39, Crystal Lake, East and West Fork, OHV Area, Camp Williams,Camp Follows, Oaks picnic area. Approximate use 10,000 to 12,000 visitors during an average holiday weekend.

Outlook

Planned ActionsFirefighters will continue line construction and holding existing lines. Areas will be scouted for opportunities to engage. Structure protection in the Camp Williams area will also be conducted.




update 20:10 pm
Question: Where is the Williams fire compared to Glendora Mountain Road?
Answer: Based on the reports so far the Williams Fire 2012 burned northward above Highway 39 and away from Glendora Mountain Road. East Fork Road status is unknown. The forest is closed and therefore the GMR, GRR and Highway 39 are closed.


View Williams Fire in a larger map
Update from 6:50

More fire fighters. Size of damage is reduced to 3,600 acres.

Current Situation

Total Personnel700
Size3,600 acres
Percent Contained5%
Estimated Containment DateMonday September 10th, 2012 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels InvolvedMedium to Heavy Brush. Mostly Chaparral. Fuels are approximately 15 to 20 years old.
Fire BehaviorFire is pushing North towards Sheep Mountain Wilderness area. Fire moving slowly due to low winds in the higher elevations.
Significant Events1 Air Tanker, 6 Helicopters. 30 Engins,2 dozer. 48 hand crews. Camp Williams structures threatened.
Update from 1:30 pm: Only 1 tanker!!!

Current Situation

Total Personnel400
Size4,000 acres
Percent Contained5%
Estimated Containment DateMonday September 10th, 2012 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels InvolvedMedium to Heavy Brush. Mostly Chaparral. Fuels are approximately 15 to 20 years old.
Fire BehaviorFire is pushing North towards Sheep Mountain Wilderness area.
Significant Events1 Air Tanker, 6 Helicopters. 30 Engines,2 dozer. 48 hand crews. Camp Williams structures threatened. Evacuations of entire San Gabriel Canyon - including disbursed recreation along Highway 39, Crystal Lake, East and West Fork, OHV Area, Camp Williams,Camp Follows, Oaks picnic area. Approximate use 10,000 to 12,000 visitors during an average holiday weekend.

Outlook

Planned ActionsFirefighters will be working throughout the Day to continue to complete line construction, burn out and hold containment lines in an effort to stop the forward spread of the fire. Structure protection in the Camp Williams area.





Update from 12:00 pm: Same equipment and status as of 7:30 am
I saw a new plume from San Dimas, but hard to spot from Glendora. The air quality in Glendora is quite good at the moment. The winds have blown the smoke to the north. A shot at 13:00 from the Mt Wilson Web Cam


From 7:45 am I just visited the gate on GMR. A highway patrol officer is stationed there. No entry to the forest. He lights up a cigarette as soon as he gets out of the car. The smoke from the fire is quite palpable. Matt is optimistic with the fire burning to the north. I am realistic and thinking long term and needing a rain to put things out. Estimated containment date is Sept 10, 2012. However the root systems burn for weeks afterwards.

Current Situation 7:30 am

Total Personnel400
Size4,000 acres
Percent Contained5%
Estimated Containment DateMonday September 10th, 2012 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels InvolvedMedium to Heavy Brush. Mostly Chaparral. Fuels are approximately 15 to 20 years old.
Fire BehaviorFire is pushing North towards Sheep Mountain Wilderness area.
Significant Events6 Heavy Air Tankers, mixture of Federal, State and Local resources. 8 Helicopters. 30 Engines, 2 dozer. 25 hand crews. Camp Williams structures threatened. Evacuations of entire San Gabriel Canyon - including disbursed recreation along Highway 39, Crystal Lake, East and West Fork, OHV Area, Camp Williams,Camp Follows, Oaks picnic area. Approximate use 10,000 to 12,000 visitors during an average holiday weekend.

Outlook

Planned ActionsFirefighters will be working throughout the Day to complete containment line using both ground and air support to suppress the forward rate of spread.
Terrain DifficultyVery Steep. 30% to 80% slope.
RemarksOrigin of Fire is about half-way between Camp Williams and the Shooting Range along East Fork Road in San Gabriel Canyon, North of Azusa about 3 1/2 miles east of Highway 39. *NOTE - SAN GABRIEL CANYON WILL BE CLOSED TOMORROW FOR LABOR DAY.






Sunday, September 2, 2012

Williams Fire 2012

Glendora Mountain Road closed at Sierra Madre to help evacuate folks from east fork. Approximately 10,000 to 12,000 people.

update 9/3/2012 5:50               http://wildfiretoday.com/ - Aerial shots for Tanker 10
    

 update as of 8:55 pm

Total Personnel300
Size3,600 acres
Percent Contained5%
Fuels InvolvedMedium to Heavy Brush. Mostly Chaparral.
Fire BehaviorFire is pushing North towards Sheep Mountain Wilderness area.
Significant Events9 Air Tankers, mixture of Federal, State and Local resources. 4 Helicopters. 20 Engins,1 dozer. 12 hand crews. No structures threatened. Evacuations of entire San Gabriel Canyon - including disbursed recreation along Highway 39, Crystal Lake, East and West Fork, OHV Area, Camp Williams, Oaks picnic area. Approximate use 10,000 to 12,000 visitors during an average holiday weekend.






Update as of 7:00 pm:

Total Personnel: 200
Size: 1,000 acres
Fuels Involved: Medium to Heavy Brush. All Chaparral.
Fire Behavior: Fire is pushing North.

8 Air Tankers, mixture of Federal, State and Local resources. Helicopters 5. Engines 20, one dozer. 12 hand crews. No structures threatened. Evacuations of entire San Gabriel Canyon - including disbursed recreation along Highway 39, Crystal Lake, East and West Fork, OHV Area, Camp Williams, Oaks picnic area. Approximate people to evacuate 10,000 to 12,000 on a average holiday weekend.

Planned Actions: Burning towards North wilderness area.
Terrain Difficulty: Very Steep.
Remarks:
Origin of Fire is about half-way between Camp Williams and Shooting Range on East Fork Road in San Gabriel Canyon, North of Azusa. 3 1/2 miles east of Highway 39.


New Fire

Bad news for everyone. This fire is completely different from the Iron Mountain smoke I viewed yesterday. This one is up close and personal. Glendora Patch has a report.

What this implies is that the forest will be closed to all activity.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Glendora Mountain Road Closed

Glendora Mountain Road closed Labor Day weekend.

Surprise to me, the road was closed and very lightly ridden. Heaven to have pavement to yourself. Good riding.

Spotted a fire on the north side of Iron Mountain.

Group Beanz was without sag support and the day was hot. Yes, we did see the truck with the driver drinking all the beer waiting for you at the bottom.

Thursday, August 30, 2012