At the Inland Empire Fire Safe Alliance meeting last night, Incident Commander Mike Dietrich and Forest Superintendant Jeanne Wade Evans presented a very detailed report on the Sawtooth/Millard/Heart complex. As the fire apparently winds down one very interesting fact is worth noting. Full control is not expected until November or perhaps the end of the year.
The fire is burning in such inaccessable and hazardous terrain that they will not even attempt to have ground crews enter the area. Part of the area is called Hell For Sure Canyon, and it was said that the early surveyors knew what they were talking about. Helicopters may drop on interior hot spots, and hand crews may mop up or control perimeter fires, but nature is the one truly in control. The fire will either expend all available fuel, or will eventually be extinguished by rain and snow. Resources will continue to be allocated to this fire for several months.
