French Fire in Madera County Information for Monday Evening, August 4, 2014 Finds Containment at 40%
Update 7:30 P.M.
40% Containment and 13,267 Acres
An update on acreage will be released in the morning fire update after a mapping flight is conducted tonight
Cloud cover helped suppression actions throughout the day, allowing crews and equipment to make good progress in line construction along the northwest perimeter. Structure defense continues in Arnold Meadows, Hogue Ranch, and Kinsman Flat area.An investigation has concluded that an abandoned campfire near the Rock Creek Campground was the cause of the French Fire. The abandoned campfire was located towards the bottom of Rock Creek Road, near the San Joaquin River. Investigators are asking for the public’s help for information about anyone who was seen in the area of Rock Creek Road near the San Joaquin River during the afternoon or evening of Sunday July 27.
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
EvacuationsResidents living in the community of Arnold Meadow were notified to evacuate due to increased fire activity along the northern perimeter of the fire. Several summer homes in the Hogue Apple Ranch and Wagner’s Resort were evacuated earlier in the week. 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 .
Basic Information
| Current as of | 8/4/2014 6:48:30 PM |
|---|---|
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Human |
| Date of Origin | Monday July 28th, 2014 approx. 05:45 AM |
| Location | Mammoth Pool |
| Incident Commander | Dave Cooper |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 1,883 |
|---|---|
| Size | 13,267 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 40% |
| Fuels Involved | Timber with some brushy areas |
Outlook
| Planned Actions | Structure protection in the Hogue Ranch, Kinsman Flat and Arnold Meadows will continue to be the primary objective. |
|---|---|
| Projected Incident Activity | Crews will continue building and reinforcing containment lines on the north, west and south perimeters. |
| Remarks | Interior fire continues to burn out in the north portion of the fire. Direct line was completed from Chiquito Creek to the west. |
Current Weather
| Weather Concerns | Cloudy with much cooler temperatures tonight,with potential showers/thunderstormsand less smoke as the upper low moves over the area. |
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