Map of the French Fire in Madera County for Friday, August 1, 2014
Click here for Information from Thursday, July 31, 2014
Update: 7:58 A.M.
Today the fire behavior was focused in the northwest perimeter of the fire. Fire activity was also problematic on the southern end of the fire. Crews were able to hold the direct fire line to the south, which was established prior. A burning operation was successful in helping secure part of the southern edge of the fire. Crews continued to make progress on establishing fire liens along the western edge of the fire. The fire is being held on the east flank and has not crossed the San Joaquin River. On the northern end, the fire continues to back down towards the Windy Point boat launch at the Mammoth Pools.
The French Fire continues 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 District's website at: http://valleyair.org/wildfires.htm
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.
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/044cvyu
Basic Information
| Current as of | 8/1/2014 7:49:32 AM |
|---|---|
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Under Investigation |
| Date of Origin | Monday July 28th, 2014 approx. 05:45 AM |
| Location | Rock Creek Drainage |
| Incident Commander | Dave Cooper |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 1,422 |
|---|---|
| Size | 8,207 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 15% |
| Fuels Involved | Timber with some brushy areas |
| Significant Events | 12 campgrounds have been closed. |
Outlook
| 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. |
Current Weather
| 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. |
|---|
Update 7:30 A.M.
Unofficial Fire Size at 8,207 acres
Map of the French Fire in Madera County for Friday, August 1, 2014
