Big Horn Fire - Mt Bady 5-13-08

[Wrightwood]

South OPs notes 6am 5-15-08

Bighorn Fire (ANF-1444) Incident is under Forest Service Jurisdiction and is being managed by SCIIMT 1 (Joseph). Fire has burned 340 acres, is 25% percent contained and continues to burn in steep rugged terrain. Temperatures in the valley are near 100 degrees and single digit RH's prevail. High wind gusts are forecast with approaching high pressure. There was minimal fire behavior observed through the night. Fire continues to move through dry dead fuels and make short moderate intensity runs back up the steep slopes. A closure of the Mt Baldy school is in effect for a third consecutive day. The village of Mt Baldy remains under a voluntary evacuation and the special use/hike in cabins are under a mandatory evacuation.

[Wrightwood]

Photo gallery from Daily Bulletin:

http://tinyurl.com/6o3wkj

[Wrightwood]

[Wrightwood]

Summary 5-15-08  8:15pm
The Bighorn Fire began at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2008. As of Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 6:00 a.m. PST, the Bighorn Fire has burned approximately 420 acres north of the Mt. Baldy Village area within the Angeles National Forest.

So. Cal Incident Management Team 1 continues to manage the fire. There are 755 multi-agency personnel currently assigned to the fire. Fire spread has been limited to rolling debris and short runs into the black. Winds are expected to decrease overnight. Fire fighters will remain strategically placed throughout the Mt. Baldy Community and overnight patrols will remain throughout the canyon.

Terrain - Steep Fuel Type: medium brush with grass understory, scattered sparse fuels on slopes, with heavier fuels in drainages

Fire Behavior: Fire activity remained minimal and limited by rolling debris and short runs back into the burned area.

Evacuations: Approximately 6 recreation residences in the vicinity of Bear Canyon have been evacuated.

Closure Update: Mt. Baldy Road at Shinn is closed to the public and open to residents only. Glendora Ridge Road is closed at Mt. Baldy Road and is closed at the East Fork. Mt. Baldy School will open Friday May 16, 2008.

Weather: The winds are expected to decrease overnight to 8 mph with gusts up to 18 mph from the north east. Relative humidity will be up to 30% overnight.

The Angeles National Forest Fire Information Center has been deactivated. Information is available during normal business hours Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Phone: 626-574-5208.


Basic Information
Incident Type Wildland Fire 
Cause Under Investigation 
Date of Origin 05/13/2008 at 0430 hrs. 
Location Claremont 
Incident Commander Carlton Joseph 

Current Situation
Total Personnel 755 
Size 420 acres 
Percent Contained 60% 
Estimated Containment Date 05/18/2008 at hrs. 
Fuels Involved Medium Brush with dry grass understory
 
Fire Behavior Fire activity remained minimal and was limited to roll out and short runs back into the black.
 
Significant Events Crews made good progress building direct fire line and cold trailing in steep rugged terrain.
 
Outlook
Planned Actions There will be no night shift working the fire, engines will continue to patrol and monitor conditions and provide structue protection.
 
Projected Movement A strong dome of high pressure will bring much warmer temperatures and very low RH's. This will allow more of the dead and down fuels to become available to support fire spread. Any movement of the incident will be minimal.
 
Growth Potential Medium
 
Terrain Difficulty Extreme
 
Remarks Increase in fire size due in part to fire growth (30%) and better mapping (70%)
 
Weather
Current Wind Conditions 10 mph NE 
Current Temperature 80 degrees 
Current Humidity 15 % 

[Wrightwood]

[Wrightwood]

5-16-08 8:30am
Summary
The Bighorn Fire began at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2008. As of Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 6:00 a.m. PST, the Bighorn Fire has burned approximately 420 acres north of the Mt. Baldy Village area within the Angeles National Forest.

So. Cal Incident Management Team 1 continues to manage the fire. There are 755 multi-agency personnel currently assigned to the fire. Fire spread has been limited to rolling debris and short runs into the black. Winds are expected to decrease overnight. Fire fighters will remain strategically placed throughout the Mt. Baldy Community and overnight patrols will remain throughout the canyon.

Terrain - Steep Fuel Type: medium brush with grass understory, scattered sparse fuels on slopes, with heavier fuels in drainages

Fire Behavior: Fire activity remained minimal and limited by rolling debris and short runs back into the burned area.

Evacuations: Approximately 6 recreation residences in the vicinity of Bear Canyon have been evacuated.

Closure Update: Mt. Baldy Road at Shinn is closed to the public and open to residents only. Glendora Ridge Road is closed at Mt. Baldy Road and is closed at the East Fork. Mt. Baldy School will open Friday May 16, 2008.

Weather: The winds are expected to decrease overnight to 8 mph with gusts up to 18 mph from the north east. Relative humidity will be up to 30% overnight.

The Angeles National Forest Fire Information Center has been deactivated. Information is available during normal business hours Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Phone: 626-574-5208.

Basic Information
Incident Type Wildland Fire 
Cause Under Investigation 
Date of Origin 05/13/2008 at 0430 hrs. 
Location Claremont 
Incident Commander Carlton Joseph 

Current Situation
Total Personnel 609 
Size 420 acres 
Percent Contained 60% 
Estimated Containment Date 05/18/2008 at 1800 hrs. 
Fuels Involved Medium Brush with dry grass understory
 
Fire Behavior Nighttime fire behavior was minimal, and limited to pockets of heavy dead fuels and small stands of snags
 
Significant Events Crews made good progress building direct fire line and cold trailing in steep rugged terrain.
 
Outlook
Planned Actions Crews will continue to build direct line where possible, and develop and implement strategies to stop the spread of the fire down the steep drainages.
 
Projected Movement The fire will continue to back its way down the slope of the West Fork Bear Canyon. This spread is moderate intensity driven by heavy dead and down fuels. Fire will roll out and make short runs back into the black (burned area). The southern portion of the fire near Bear Flat will continue to move down the steep drainages toward Mt. Baldy Village.
 
Growth Potential Medium
 
Terrain Difficulty Extreme
 
Containment Target There is a high likelihood that the fire will be contained on Sunday, May 18, by 6:00 p.m.
 
Remarks The weather will be moderating, with a return of a more typical weather pattern.
 
Weather
Current Wind Conditions 15 mph NE 
Current Temperature 60 degrees 
Current Humidity 35 % 

[Wrightwood]

South OPs notes 5-16-08

Bighorn Fire (ANF-1444) Fire is now 420 acres and 60 percent contained. Increase in fire size is due in part to fire growth (30%) and better mapping (70%). Fire activity remained minimal and was limited to roll out and short runs back into the black. Crews made good progress building direct fire line and cold trailing in steep rugged terrain. Fire continues to pose a moderate threat to the cabins that line the West Fork of Bear Canyon. Fire poses a minimal threat to the Village of Mt. Baldy. Fire may continue to back its way down the slope of the West Fork Bear Canyon . Spread is moderate in intensity and is driven by heavy dead and downed fuels. There will be no night shift working the fire, engines will continue to patrol and monitor conditions and provide structure protection.

[Wrightwood]

As of 5-16-08  8:30pm

Summary
The Bighorn Fire began at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2008. As of Friday, May 15, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. PST, the Bighorn Fire has burned approximately 461 acres north of the Mt. Baldy Village area within the Angeles National Forest.

So.Cal Incident Management Team 1 continues to manage the fire. There are 388 multi-agency personnel currently assigned to the fire, with additional personnel and equipment being released tomorrow. Fire spread continues to be limited to rolling debris and short runs. Fire fighters will remain strategically placed throughout the Mt. Baldy Community and are making excellent progress constructing line around the fire.

For Bighorn Fire Information over the weekend please call the Incident information office directly at 6:30 a.m. until 8:p.m. Phone: (909) 394-7903

Terrain - Steep Fuel Type: Medium brush with grass understory, scattered sparse fuels on slopes, with heavier fuels in drainages

Fire Behavior: Fire activity is expected to be minimal and limited to pockets of heavy dead fuels and small stands of snags.

Evacuations: Approximately 6 recreation residences in the vicinity of Bear Canyon have been evacuated.

Closure Update: Mt. Baldy Road at Shinn remains closed to the public and open to residents only throughout the weekend. Glendora ridge road is closed at Mt. Baldy Road, and closed at the junction with the Glendora Mountain road 3.5 miles north of the city of Glendora.

Weather: Temperatures on the fire line reached 92 degrees. Winds were out of the northeast/east, 6-12 mph at the higher elevations, and 4-8 mph at the lower elevations, flowing up-slope and up-valley. Relative humidity is in the 13 to 16% range.

Basic Information
Incident Type Wildland Fire 
Cause Under Investigation 
Date of Origin 05/13/2008 at 0430 hrs. 
Location Claremont 
Incident Commander Carlton Joseph 

Current Situation
Total Personnel 388 
Size 461 acres 
Percent Contained 72% 
Estimated Containment Date 05/18/2008 at 1800 hrs. 
Fuels Involved Medium Brush with dry grass understory
 
Fire Behavior Minimal fire activity with the exception of the West fork of Bear Canyon where the fire continues to roll out and make short uphill runs on the SW facing slopes.
 
Significant Events School was reopened to local students, with no significant impact on fire operations. Air operations is working closely with South Ops to make a type 2 helicopter available.
 

Outlook
Planned Actions there will be engines to patrol Mt. Baldy during the night shift, but no crews will be on the fire working. Tomorrow crews will continue building direct line, moping-up, hot spotting and developing and implementing strategies to stop the spread of the fire down the steep drainages above Baldy Mountain Road.
 
Projected Movement The fire will continue to back its way down the slope of the West Fork Bear Canyon. This spread is moderate intensity driven by heavy dead and down fuels. Fire will roll out and make short runs back into the black (burned area). The southern portion of the fire near Bear Flat will continue to move down the steep drainages toward Mt. Baldy Village.
 
Growth Potential Medium
 
Terrain Difficulty Extreme
 
Containment Target There is a high likelihood that the fire will be contained on Sunday, May 18, by 6:00 p.m.
 
Remarks The demobilization of handcrews has begun.
 

Weather
Current Wind Conditions 8 - 12 mph NE 
Current Temperature 89 degrees 
Current Humidity 12 % 

[Wrightwood]

5-17-08  8am
Bighorn Fire (ANF-1444), Fire has burned 461 acres and is 72 % percent contained. Crews will continue to build direct line where possible, crews are constructing a secondary/contingency line on the south portion of the fire down to Mt Baldy Road. Fire continues to pose a moderate threat to the cabins that line the West Fork of Bear Canyon. Fire poses a minimal threat to the Village of Mt Baldy. Excess resources continue demobilization.

[Wrightwood]

5-17-08  3pm

Summary
The Bighorn Fire began at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2008. As of Saturday, May 16, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. PST, the Bighorn Fire has burned approximately 461 acres north of the Mt. Baldy Village area within the Angeles National Forest. The fire is 72% contained.

So.Cal Incident Management Team 1 continues to manage the fire. There are 308 multi-agency personnel currently assigned to the fire, with additional personnel and equipment being released tomorrow. Fire spread continues to be limited to rolling debris and short runs. Fire fighters will remain strategically placed throughout the Mt. Baldy Community and are making excellent progress constructing line around the fire.

For Bighorn Fire Information over the weekend please call the Incident information office directly at 6:30 a.m. until 8:p.m. Phone: (909) 394-7903

Terrain - Steep Fuel Type: Medium brush with grass understory, scattered sparse fuels on slopes, with heavier fuels in drainages

Fire Behavior: Fire activity is expected to be minimal and limited to pockets of heavy dead fuels and small stands of snags.

Evacuations: Approximately 6 recreation residences in the vicinity of Bear Canyon have been evacuated.

Closure Update: Mt. Baldy Road at Shinn remains closed to the public and open to residents only throughout the weekend. Glendora ridge road is closed at Mt. Baldy Road, and closed at the junction with the Glendora Mountain road 3.5 miles north of the city of Glendora.

Basic Information
Incident Type Wildland Fire 
Cause Under Investigation 
Date of Origin 05/13/2008 at 0430 hrs. 
Location Claremont 
Incident Commander Carlton Joseph 

Current Situation
Total Personnel 308 
Size 461 acres 
Percent Contained 72% 
Estimated Containment Date 05/18/2008 at 1800 hrs. 
Fuels Involved Medium Brush with dry grass understory
 
Fire Behavior Minimal fire activity with the exception of the West fork of Bear Canyon where the fire continues to roll out and make short uphill runs on the SW facing slopes.
 
Significant Events School was reopened to local students, with no significant impact on fire operations. Air operations is working closely with South Ops to make a type 2 helicopter available.
 

Outlook
Planned Actions Crews will continue to build direct line wherever possible. Crews are constructing a secondary / contingency line on the south portion of the fire down Mt. Baldy Road.
 
Projected Movement Crews are successfully working in difficult conditions to meet the incident objectives. With the moderating weather, continued air support and high crews production rates the fire is still expected to be contained Sunday at 1800 hrs.
 
Growth Potential Medium
 
Terrain Difficulty Extreme
 
Containment Target There is a high likelihood that the fire will be contained on Sunday, May 18, by 6:00 p.m.
 
Remarks The demobilization of handcrews has begun.
 

Weather
Current Wind Conditions 3 - 7 mph NE 
Current Temperature 94 degrees 
Current Humidity 13 % 

[Wrightwood]

5-18-08  7:30am
Bighorn Fire (ANF-1444) Crews will continue to build direct line where possible; crews are constructing a secondary/contingency line on the south portion of the fire down to Mt Baldy Road . With the moderating weather, continued air support and high crew production rates the fire is still expected to be contained 5/18 1800hrs. The demobilization of excess resources continues.

[Wrightwood]

May 19, 2008  7:15am
Summary
The Bighorn Fire began at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2008. As of Monday, May 19, 2008 at 6:00 a.m. PST, the Bighorn Fire has burned approximately 490 acres north of the Mt. Baldy Village area within the Angeles National Forest. The fire is 100% contained.

So.Cal Incident Management Team 1 continues to manage the fire. There are 267 multi-agency personnel currently assigned to the fire, with the team transferring the incident back to the Angeles National Forest fire management today.Three hand crews will continue to mop up the fire and iniate fire suppresion rehab.

Terrain - Steep Fuel Type: Medium brush with grass understory, scattered sparse fuels on slopes, with heavier fuels in drainages

Fire Behavior: Fire activity is expected to be minimal and limited to pockets of heavy dead fuels and small stands of snags.

Evacuations: All evacuations have been lifted.

Closure Update: All existing road closures have been lifted today at 6:00a.m. The Bear Canyon Trail will remain closed from the trailhead in Mt. Baldy Village north to Mount San Antonio until further notice.

Basic Information
Incident Type Wildland Fire 
Cause Under Investigation 
Date of Origin 05/13/2008 at 0430 hrs. 
Location Claremont 
Incident Commander Carlton Joseph 

Current Situation
Total Personnel 267 
Size 490 acres 
Percent Contained 100% 
Estimated Containment Date 05/18/2008 at 1800 hrs. 
Fuels Involved Medium Brush with dry grass understory
 
Fire Behavior Minimal fire activity with a few smoldering hot spots within the fire perimeter
 
Significant Events Demobilization of fire crews is ongoing and will be reduced significantly by Monday, May 19, 2008.
 
Outlook
Planned Actions Crews will mop up hot spots within the fire perimeter and continue to monitor containment lines
 
Projected Movement Hand crews will work throughout the week with air support to ensure fire control is obtained along with implementing suppresion rehabilitation.
 
Growth Potential Minimal
 
Terrain Difficulty Extreme
 
Containment Target Containment target has been met
 
Remarks Southern California Incident Management Team I will close out and transfer command of the incident back the Angeles National Forest fire management today.
 
Weather
Current Wind Conditions 2 - 4 mph SW 
Current Temperature 72 degrees 
Current Humidity 22 % 

[Hillbillies]

Is there a new fire right now in Wrightwood?  Just got a message that someone heard on the scanner that there was a fire in Wrightwood.

[Wrightwood]

There was a structure fire on Evergreen. The house was charged with smoke and no active flame. Cause was from wood stacked on top of the floor furnace.