Fires in Madera County
Sierra Sun Times/Valley Online News Scanner
Sierra Sun Times/Valley Online News Scanner
How it all began. USFS Photo
Sky Fire on Thursday evening
June 19, 2015 -
8:50 P.M. Update: 600 Acres with 30% Containment
Sky Fire Update - Very aggressive firefighting made for a good days work on the Sky Fire that continues to burn in the mountains northeast of the community of Oakhurst. As of this evening the fire is at about 600 acres and is currently 30% contained. Day shift crews were able to encircle the fire with hand line and hose lays but the fire still has potential of growing.
The South Central Sierra Interagency Incident Management Team officially took over command of the fire this evening.
Approximately 650 personnel are assigned to the fire.
Evacuations are still in effect for all nearby campgrounds. The Sky Ranch road remains closed as are all roads leading into the fire area until further notice. A fire information phone will be established at the fire base camp in the morning to answer further questions.
1:46 P.M. Update: The Sky Fire continues to burn in the mountains northeast of the community of Oakhurst. The fire has burned an estimated 538 acres and is currently 15 percent contained. The fire still has a potential growing in the next couple of days. Approximately 200 personnel have been assigned to the fire with a mix of forest service engines, fifteen (15) CALFIRE engines, several hotshot crews, three air tankers, and a helicopter assigned to the fire. Firefighters are dealing with tough conditions such as high temperatures, heavy fuels, steep slopes, drought stressed vegetation and high tree mortality which leads to torching and spotting. More resources are still enroute.
Evacuations have been issued for nearby campgrounds.
The Sky Ranch road remains closed as are all roads leading into the fire area until further notice. The South Central Sierra Interagency Incident Management Team will take over command at 6:00 PM this evening.
The Sky Fire is located on the Sierra National Forest, Bass Lake Ranger District and was caused by a vehicle fire. The fire is located approximately 6 miles northeast of the community of Oakhurst, Ca.The American Red Cross has set up an evacuation center and is located at the Sierra Vista Church, 39696 Highway 41, Oakhurst, CA. For more information please contact Daniel Tune at (559) 360-9663 or Dirk Charley at (559) 288-3529.
11:33 A.M. Update: The American Red Cross has set up an evacuation center and is located at the Sierra Vista Church, 39696 Highway 41, Oakhurst, CA.
9:31 A.M. Update: 538 Acres -- 15 % Contained
7:00 A.M. Update: 400 Acres -- 15 % Contained
Incident Overview
The Sky Fire was reported around 2:30 and was started by a vehicle fire on Sky Ranch road. It is located 4 miles north east of Batterson Station and 6 miles from the community of Oakhurst.Potential of growing to 600 - 1,000 acres in the next couple of days. Approximately 200 personnel have been assigned to the fire; two forest service engines, one forest service hotshot crew with more resources being orders up. There are 15 Cal-Fire engines also assigned to the fire and three air tankers.
Evacuations have been issued for all nearby campgrounds and 300-400 homes are in danger at this time. Camp Redwood and Paradise Spring are directly in danger. Sky Ranch road is closed. This fire is under unified command and more information will be available tomorrow morning.
Basic Information
| Current as of | 6/19/2015, 7:04:33 AM |
|---|---|
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Vehicle |
| Date of Origin | Thursday June 18th, 2015 approx. 02:00 AM |
| Location | Sky Ranch Road |
| Incident Commander | Sierra National Forest |
| Incident Description | Wildfire |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 300 |
|---|---|
| Size | 400 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 15% |
| Estimated Containment Date | Wednesday July 01st, 2015 approx. 12:00 AM |
| Fuels Involved | Dry fuels, heavy brush, steep slopes, stands of bug kill trees. |
| Significant Events | Fire started at 1500 as a result of vehicle fire. |
Outlook
| Planned Actions | Line construction on fires edge. |
|---|---|
| Projected Incident Activity | Initial attack, direct line attack. |
| Remarks | Expect rapid rates of spread and high fire intensity. Shortage of suppression personnel. |
Current Weather
| Weather Concerns | Hot and dry |
|---|
Per U.S. Forest Service - Sierra National Forest:
The Sky Fire was reported around 2:30 and was started by a vehicle fire on Sky Ranch road. It is located 4 miles north east of Batterson Station and 6 miles from the community of Oakhurst.
The fire is zero percent contained and is estimated at 200 acres with the potential of growing to 600 - 1,000 acres in the next couple of days. Approximately 200 personnel have been assigned to the fire; two forest service engines, one forest service hotshot crew with more resources being orders up. There are 15 Cal-Fire engines also assigned to the fire and three air tankers.
Tomorrow at 6 pm, Central Sierra Interagency Management team will take over. Evacuations have been issued for all nearby campgrounds and 300-400 homes are in danger at this time. Camp Redwood and Paradise Spring are directly in danger.
Sky Ranch road is closed.
This fire is under unified command and more information will be available Friday morning.
