Big Horn Fire - Mt Bady 5-13-08

[Lovelit]

My mom just called and is leaving-she's not taking any chances. I don't think that area has birned since the Baldy Fire in the 70's.

[Lovelit]

My mom just called and is leaving-she's not taking any chances. I don't think that area has birned since the Baldy Fire in the 70's.

OK I meant "burned" not "birned"

[Wrightwood]

Now reported at 300 acres
250 fire fighters on scene
Fixed wind aircraft are not on scene due to high winds
Smoke now rising almost straight up

No structures lost or injuries at this time

[Wrightwood]

[Wrightwood]

Summary
The Bighorn Fire began at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2008.  As of 2:00 p.m. PST, the Bighorn Fire has burned approximately 200 acres north of the Mt. Baldy Village area within the Angeles National Forest.  (See map above.)The fire is currently 0% contained.  240 multi-agency personnel are currently assigned to the fire.

The cause is under investigation. The Angeles National Forest Fire Information Center will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Terrain - Steep - Medium BrushEvacuations (12:00 p.m. May 13, 2008): Approximately 6 recreation residences in the vicinity of Bear Canyon have been evacuated.

Closure Update (12:00 p.m. May 13, 2008):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.

Basic Information
Incident Type Wildland Fire 
Cause Under Investigation 
Date of Origin 05/13/2008 at 0430 hrs. 
Location Not available 
Incident Commander Not available 

[RCFSC]

from: RCFSC;

At 2:45pm May 13th there was a large plume of smoke rising from behind San Antonio peak, visible by Rancho Cucamonga residents as an active wildfire possibly a branch of the Big Horn Fire. By 3:45pm smoke was beginning to dissapate but still rising and blowing west across San Antonio Heights/Upland and the 210 fwy. News Radio 98 was notified to monitor smoke and traffic on the 210 west as the daily westerly winds begin at 3pm an last usually to 7pm. IEFSA was notified as well as local RCFD and amateur Radio operators.  As of 5pm Fire Fighting Helicopters are still refilling at the Colonies Reservoir located at Campus and 19th St. , Upland. Attempts to reach the Mt. Baldy/San Antonio Heights Fire Safe Council to offer support and assistance have been unsuccessful.

[Wrightwood]

If anyone from the Mt. Baldy/San Antonio Heights Fire Safe Council(s) reads this forum topic please post a method to contact you or send an email to webmaster@wrightwoodcalif.com

[All Day, All Night]

LA County units on scene as of 1430 today assisting ANF:

E62, E101, E102, E182, E183, CC151, CC153, CC192, CC195, WT32, COPT11, COPT15, COPT16, P102, SU2, SU19, BC2, BC44, AC2, HELTAK, HT7, HT87, INFO30, ST1119A (BC19, E4, E61, E119, E167, E185), ST1187G

[clint]

Here's the INCIWEB link:

http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1263/

If you are worried about Wrightwood remember,
if this fire burns upslope, it runs out of fuel. Baldy, Dawson, and Pine
mountain are pretty much above tree line. Very little understory and
just some sparse Limber pine. And it's 4.5 to 5 air miles away.

[Wrightwood]

[Wrightwood]

Summary
The Bighorn Fire began at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2008.  As of 2:00 p.m. PST, the Bighorn Fire has burned approximately 200 acres north of the Mt. Baldy Village area within the Angeles National Forest.  (See map above.)

The fire is currently 0% contained.  240 multi-agency personnel are currently assigned to the fire.  The cause is under investigation. The Angeles National Forest Fire Information Center will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Terrain - Steep - Medium BrushEvacuations (12:00 p.m. May 13, 2008): Approximately 6 recreation residences in the vicinity of Bear Canyon have been evacuated.  Closure Update (12:00 p.m. May 13, 2008):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.

Basic Information Incident Type    Wildland Fire
Cause    Under Investigation
Date of Origin    05/13/2008 at 0430 hrs.
Location    Claremont Incident Commander    Eric Mccormick Current Situation Total Personnel    250 Size
300 acres Percent Contained    10%
Fuels Involved Medium Brush Fire Behavior

Uphill runs due to topography and winds Significant Events

voluntary evacuations Outlook Planned Actions

Line Construction, structure protection and holding Growth Potential

Medium Terrain Difficulty

Extreme Remarks

Not available Weather Current Wind Conditions    15-20 mph SW Current Temperature    72 degrees Current Humidity    15 %

[Wrightwood]

Bighorn, Angeles NF. IMT 2 (Joseph). Eleven miles north of Claremont, CA. Brush. Wind driven fire with uphill runs. Voluntary evacuations in effect. Residences threatened.
   
Incident Name = * Bighorn
St =  CA    
Unit = ANF
Size = 200
Size Chge 24 Hrs = ---
% CTN = 10
Est Ctn = UNK
Totl Pers = 250
Pers Chge 24 Hrs=  ---   
Crw = 8
Eng = 9
Heli = 4    
Strc Lost = 0
$$ CTD = 200K
Origin Own = FS
                                            

[Wrightwood]

For those with scanners:
Victor 135.975
Air Attack 169.200
Forest Net 172.375
Tacs 168.200

[Wrightwood]

As of 05/14 0800

Bighorn Fire (ANF-1444)has burned 310 acres of brush with 10 % percent containment . Transfer of command from the initial attack IC Eric McCormick to Southern California Team 1 (Joseph, Type 2 IMT) occurred at 0600hrs. With the predicted weather pattern the fire could spread down canyon in a Southwesterly direction. Fire is burning in Steep rugged terrain, temperatures in the valley near 100 degrees and single digit RH's. Approximately 100 residence remain threatened. The continued evacutions of cabins near the fire area and the notifications to the town of Mt. Baldy for a recomended evacuation. Fire made short low to moderate runs up the steep canyons. Most fire activity had moderated by 2300hrs. Crews will work to construct direct hand line in the steep terrain, supported with both rotor and fixed wing assets.

[Wrightwood]

Spot weather forecast for the Big Horn Fire
5/14/2008 11:47 AM

LOCALLY GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES THURSDAY...
 
 ...HOT TEMPERATURES AND LOW HUMIDITIES CONTINUING THROUGH THE  WEEKEND...
 
 .DISCUSSION...HIGH PRESSURE WILL BUILD OVER THE AREA THROUGH  THURSDAY AND PERSIST THROUGH THE WEEKEND. THE STRONGEST NORTHEAST  WINDS ARE EXPECTED THURSDAY MORNING AND CENTERED ALONG THE VENTURA  AND LOS ANGELES COUNTY BORDER. TEMPERATURES WILL RISE SHARPLY TO NEARLY 20 DEGREES ABOVE SEASONAL NORMAL OVER THE ENTIRE AREA  THURSDAY WITH HUMIDITIES DROPPING INTO THE TEENS.
 
 ALTHOUGH SOME COOLING IS EXPECTED ALONG THE COAST BY SUNDAY, HOT  TEMPERATURES AND LOW HUMIDITIES ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR MOST  AREAS THROUGH MONDAY BEFORE MORE SIGNIFICANT COOLING BEGINS TUESDAY  AND WEDNESDAY OF NEXT WEEK. WINDS ARE GENERALLY EXPECTED TO REMAIN  BELOW 20 MPH OVER THE WEEKEND.


TODAY... SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY.
 MAX TEMPERATURE.....80-90 LOW ELEVATIONS TO 65-75 HIGHER PEAKS.  24 HR TREND...UP 10-15.
 MIN HUMIDITY........10-15 PERCENT.     24 HR TREND......LITTLE CHANGE.
WINDS...VALLEYS/LWR SLOPES...UPVALLEY/UPSLOPE 5-10 MPH. RIDGES/UPR SLOPES....NORTH 15-25 MPH DECREASING TO 10 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.  MARINE LAYER........NONE.  LAL...........1.
 
 .TONIGHT... SKY/WEATHER....CLEAR.
 MIN TEMPERATURE.....57-64 LOW ELEVATIONS TO 35-50 IN HIGH VALLEYS AND PEAKS.
 MAX HUMIDITY........15-25 PERCENT.  WINDS... VALLEYS/LWR SLOPES...SOUTHWEST 8 TO 12 MPH BECOMING DOWNSLOPE/DOWNVALLEY 3-8 MPH...EXCEPT BELOW PASSES AND CANYONS NORTHEAST 20-30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 45 MPH AFTER MIDNIGHT.    RIDGES/UPR SLOPES....NORTH AROUND 10 MPH SHIFTING TO THE NORTHEAST 20-30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 45 MPH AFTER MIDNIGHT.  LAL......1.
 
 .THURSDAY... SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY.
 MAX TEMPERATURE.....85-95 LOW ELEVATIONS TO 67-77 HIGHER PEAKS.
 MIN HUMIDITY........15 PERCENT.  WINDS...VALLEYS/LWR SLOPES...BELOW PASSES AND CANYONS NORTHEAST 20-30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 45 MPH IN THE MORNING...OTHERWISE   UPSLOPE/UPVALLEY 5-10 MPH.    RIDGES/UPR SLOPES....NORTHEAST 20-30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 45 MPH                          BECOMING 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 35 MPH.  LAL.................1.

[Wrightwood]

For those with scanners:
Victor 135.975
Air Attack 169.200
Forest Net 172.375
Tacs 168.200

You can also here Air Tac on:
151.280

[Wrightwood]

Updated 3:45pm 5-14-08

Summary

The Bighorn Fire began at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2008. As of Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 5:00 a.m. PST, the Bighorn Fire has burned approximately 310 acres north of the Mt. Baldy Village area within the Angeles National Forest.

The fire is currently 10% contained. 396 multi-agency personnel are currently assigned to the fire. The cause is under investigation. The Angeles National Forest Fire Information Center will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Phone: 626-821-6700.

Terrain - Steep - Medium Brush

Evacuations (5:00 a.m. May 14, 2008): Approximately 6 recreation residences in the vicinity of Bear Canyon continue to be evacuated.

Closure Update (5:00 a.m. May 14, 2008):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.

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 396 
Size 310 acres 
Percent Contained 10% 
Fuels Involved Medium Brush
 
Fire Behavior Fire made short, low to moderate runs up the steep canyons. Most fire activity had moderated by 11:00 p.m., Tues. May 13.
 
Significant Events Cabins near the fire area continue to be evacuated. Continued notifications to the town of Mt. Baldy for a recommended evacuation.
 
Outlook
Planned Actions Crew will work to construct direct hand line in the steep terrain, supported with both helicopter and fixed wing aircraft.
 
Projected Movement With the predicted weather pattern, the fire could spread down canyon in a southwesterly direction.
 
Growth Potential Medium
 
Terrain Difficulty Extreme
 
Remarks At 6:00 a.m. today (Weds., May 14), command of the fire was transferred to Southern California Team 1 (Joseph, Type 2 IMT).
 
Weather
Current Wind Conditions 7 mph S 
Current Temperature 53 degrees 
Current Humidity 33 % 

[Wrightwood]

Summary as of 7:45pm 5-14-08

The Bighorn Fire began at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2008. As of Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 5:00 a.m. PST, the Bighorn Fire has burned approximately 310 acres north of the Mt. Baldy Village area within the Angeles National Forest. (See attached map.)

The fire is currently 10% contained. 396 multi-agency personnel are currently assigned to the fire. The cause is under investigation. The Angeles National Forest Fire Information Center will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Phone: 626-821-6700.

Terrain - Steep - Medium Brush

Evacuations (5:00 a.m. May 14, 2008): Approximately 6 recreation residences in the vicinity of Bear Canyon continue to be evacuated.

Closure Update (5:00 a.m. May 14, 2008):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.

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 623 
Size 320 acres 
Percent Contained 25% 
Fuels Involved Medium Brush
 
Fire Behavior Fire behavior was moderate
 
Significant Events Unified command will be terminated at 1800 hrs. The fire will be under Forest Service jurisdiction and managed by SCIIMT1.
 
Outlook
Planned Actions Crews will continue to construct direct handline where possible.
 
Projected Movement The fire area is starting to feel the influence of a strong high pressure system. North northwest wind 7 to 10 mph increasing to between 17 and 20 mph could cause the fire to spread during the night. This system will bring much warmer temperatures, very low humidity and strong N-NE winds gusting to 30 mph for the next three days.
 
Growth Potential Medium
 
Terrain Difficulty Extreme

Remarks Gusty northeast winds will be returning to the area later tonight through early afternoon Thursday along with the humidity dropping into the teens. Poor overnight recovery is expected and will not exceed 25%. Winds will begin to increase after midnight and are expected to reach 40 mph.
 
Weather
Current Wind Conditions 15-20 mph NE 
Current Temperature 54 degrees 
Current Humidity 15-20 % 

[Wrightwood]

From South Ops notes 05/14   6pm

Bighorn Fire (ANF-1444) Unified command will be terminated a 1800 hrs. The fire will be under Forest Service Jurisdiction and managed by SCIIMT 1 (Joseph). The fire has burned 320 acres of brush with a grass understory, scattered sparse fuels on slopes with heavier fuels in drainages and is 25 % percent contained. Approximately 100 residences and 10 outbuildings remain threatened. Incident progression and spread of the fire area is due to the influence of a strong high pressure system.

North northwest wind 7 to 10 mph increasing to between 17 and 20 mph could cause the fire to spread during the night. This system will bring much warmer temperatures, very low RH's and strong N-NE winds gusting to 30 mph for the next three days. Gusty northeast winds will be returning to the area later tonight through early afternoon Thursday along with humidity's dropping into the teens. Poor overnight recovery is expected and will not exceed 25%.

Winds will begin to increase after midnight and are expected to reach 40 mph. This weather pattern could effect the fires spread and push it to the Southwest. This spread will threaten more homes and establish the fire in more continous fuels. Crews will continue to construct direct handline where possible.

[Wrightwood]

5-15-08 7:45am
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 340 acres north of the Mt. Baldy Village area within the Angeles National Forest. (See attached map.)

The fire is currently 25% contained. The cause remains under investigation. The fire is under Forest Service management. There are 668 multi-agency personnel currently assigned to the fire. Fire engines will be strategically placed throughout the Mt. Baldy Community and maintain patrols throughout the canyon.

The Angeles National Forest Fire Information Center will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Phone: 626-821-6700.

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

Fire Behavior: Minimal fire behavior was observed through the night. The fire continues to move through dry, dead fuels and make short, moderate-intensity runs back up the steep slopes.

Evacuations (6:00 a.m. May 15, 2008): Approximately 6 recreation residences in the vicinity of Bear Canyon continue to be evacuated. The village of Mt. Baldy remains under a voluntary evacuation.

Closure Update (06:00 a.m. May 15, 2008): 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 remain closed for Thursday, May 15.

Weather: A strong high pressure system will bring much warmer temperatures today (May 15), with very low relative humidity, and strong N-NE winds gusting to 30 mph.

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 668 
Size 340 acres 
Percent Contained 25% 
Fuels Involved Medium Brush with dry grass understory
 
Fire Behavior Minimal fire behavior was observed through the night.
 
Significant Events Mt. Baldy School remains closed. See summary above for evacuation information.
 
Outlook
Planned Actions Crews will continue to construct direct handline, supported with air resources.
 
Projected Movement The fire area is feeling the influence of a strong high pressure system, which will bring much warmer temperatures (near 100 degrees in the valley), very low RH, and strong N-NE winds gusting to 30. This weather pattern could effect the fire's spread and push it to the southwest. This spread would threaten more homes and establish the fire in more continuous fuels.
 
Growth Potential Medium
 
Terrain Difficulty Extreme

Remarks Not available
 
Weather
Current Wind Conditions 8-10 mph NE 
Current Temperature 71 degrees 
Current Humidity 20 %