French Fire grows to 8,207 acres, now 15 percent contained
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- French Fire grows to 8,207 acres, now 15 percent contained
Firefighters battling the French Fire near Mammoth Pool Reservoir are now starting their fifth day on the fire lines.
The fire has burned more than 8,000 acres of Sierra National Forest land, and is 15 percent contained.
The smoke from the fire is creating is creating hazy skies in nearby mountain comminutes, as well as here in the Valley.
A burning operation will continue with the support air operations on the southern edge of the fire. This anchor point and burnout operation is the highest priority in order to provide for the structure defense in the Hogue Ranch and Kinsman Flat area. Crews will continue building fire lines along the western edge of the fire. On the northern end of the fire, crews and air support will continue to build containment lines as the fire backs down towards the Windy Point Boat Launch at the Mammoth Pools.
A small fire camp will be established at the Minarets Forest Service Work Center north of the French Fire. This will help reduce travel time to crews working the on the northern end of the fire near Mammoth Pools.
The French Fire will continue to produce large amounts of smoke, which has impacted local communities. Smoke is typically greater in the morning and evening hours. Plan outdoor activities for times and places with low smoke levels. Up-slope breezes occur during the day, which will often take smoke into higher elevations. In the evening, these winds change direction and bring smoke down slope to lower elevations
For more information about smoke impacts, please visit the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Districts website at: http://valleyair.org/wildfires.htm
Evacuations
Several Forest Service and private campgrounds were evacuated for public safety concerns. Several summer homes in the Hogue Apple Ranch and Wagner's Resort were also evacuated. The impacted residences were able to make arrangements to stay elsewhere and there was not a need to open any shelters.
Structures Threatened: 34
Closures
A Forest Service Area Road and Trail Closure, Forest Order # 15-14-07, has been issued for the French Fire area. More information about the Forest Closure and the closure can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/o44cvyu (PDF)
Location: Rock Creek Drainage
Cause: Under Investigation
Size: 8,207 Acres
Percent of Perimeter Contained: 15%
Total Personnel: 1,422
Planned Actions
Structure protection in the Hogue Ranch and Kinsman Flat area will continue to be the primary objective.
Projected Incident Activity
Perimeter will continue to grow on the north and west sides of the fire.
Remarks
An anchor point has been established on the south end of the fire in the San Joaquin River drainage. A combination of hand and dozer line has been constructed from the river up the flank to the 4S81 Road. A firing operation, supported by rotary wing aircraft, will continue today to secure the bottom perimeter of the fire in Division B. This anchor point and burnout operation is the highest incident priority in order to provide for the defense of structures at the Hogue ranch and in the Kinsman Flat area. Crews and dozers will continue constructing direct fire line from the 4S81 Road to the west and continuing north of the 7S07 Road. The fire continues to back down toward the Windy Pt Boat Launch at the Mammoth Pool Reservoir.
Weather Concerns
High pressure will prevail over the area with little change in conditions over the weekend. There is enough lingering monsoonal moisture to produce a chance of thunderstorms over the chest of the Sierras. temperatures are expected to be above normal throughout the remainder of the week. Erratic winds associated with the outgoing monsoonal moisture are a safety concern.
