Willow Fire burns into the evening hours on Friday, July 31, 2015
Sierra Sun Times Public Safety Scanner
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Willow Fire in Madera County Near Bass Lake
Update: Saturday: 11:00 P.M.
New: Total Personnel 2,080
5,116 Acres, heavy brush and timber, 50% Contained
Update: Saturday: 7:00 P.M.
5,116 Acres, heavy brush and timber, 50% Contained
South Central Sierra Interagency IMT (Cooper) is in Unified Command with CAL FIRE (Smith)
The southern flank of the fire continues to burn within the footprint of the 2001 North Fork Fire. Heavy brush component (critically low live fuel moistures) with heavy down and dead debris.
The portable retardant plant established July 29th has proven to be extremely effective.
Update: Saturday 7:26 A.M. 7:35 A.M.
5,116 acres and now 50% contained
A community meeting is scheduled for today at 2:00 p.m. at the North Fork Town Hall.
The Willow Fire is located on the northern edge of the North Fork Fire Footprint from 2001 and is in steep and rugged terrain which requires hand crews to hike into the area and be supported by helicopters and air tankers. The southern edge of the fire is established in the previously burned area has a concentrated brush component larger dead timber debris, intermingled with a concentration of tree snags.
Crews have continued firing along the southern edge of the fire to prevent it from out flanking blackened control lines. USFS with CALFIRE are in Unified Command.
On the northern flank the fire, crews continue to gain progress northeast of a large granite face known locally as 7-Rock. A direct attack remains the most appropriate strategy.
The use of aircraft, both helicopters and tankers continue to be used to support ground crews. A portable retardant plant has proven to be very effective with air resources in reducing the turnaround time of helicopters.
Management action plans on the southern edge triggered additional residential evacuations of approximately 450 homes in the Cascadel Woods area.
Monsoonal moisture may produce thunderstorms on or near the fire causing lightning or erratic winds.
As the Willow Fire continues to burn, smoke will be impacting 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 back down slope to lower elevations.
A Willow Fire information phone number has been established for further information about the fire. That number is (559) 877-7449. Please be patient as call volume varies throughout the day.
Evacuations
- The Central Camp area, Douglas Ranger Station Rd and the Cascadel Woods are have been evacuated due to the fire.
- The American Red Cross has set up an evacuation center which is located at the Oakhurst Community Center, 39800 Road 425 B in Oakhurst, CA.
Closures
Campgrounds - Gagges, Whiskers, and Whiskey Falls are closed.
Willow Canyon Rd is closed. Central Camp Rd is closed. Autumn Ridge Rd (8S09) is closed. Douglas Ranger Station Rd is closed. Cascade Woods area is closed at Road 225 and 233.
Equipment
Engines 142
Hand Crews 43
Dozers 20
Water Tenders 35
Helicopters 9
Tankers available on request 4 Very Large Air Tanker 1
Basic Information
| Current as of | 8/1/2015, 7:35:51 AM |
|---|---|
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Human |
| Date of Origin | Saturday July 25th, 2015 approx. 02:30 PM |
| Location | NE of North Fork, CA |
| Incident Commander | David Cooper SCSIIMT And Kevin Smith CALFIRE |
| Incident Description | Wildfire |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 1,958 |
|---|---|
| Size | 5,116 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 50% |
| Fuels Involved | Timber, Chaparral, Tall grass. |
Outlook
| Planned Actions | Fire crews are engaged with structure assessment and protection. Direct and indirect line construction continues on all sides of the fire. Crews will continue to mop up where safe to do so. Firing operations will be conducted when indicated. |
|---|---|
| Remarks | The Willow Fire is located on the northern edge of the 2001 footprint of the North Fork Fire. The fire is now burning well into this area and resistance to control increases due to heavy brush and dead woody materials with critical live fuel moisture. Crews are engaged with firing along the southern edge of the fire to prevent it from outflanking blackened control lines. On the northern flank crews continue to gain progress northeast of the large granite rock known locally as the 7 Rock. A direct attack remains the most appropriate strategy in this area. Aircraft are being utilized to support crews working on the ground. The portable retardant plant is has proven to be extremely effective with reducing the time taken to return to the firelines. An evacuation center has been established in Oakhurst by the American Red Cross. |
Current Weather
| Weather Concerns | The fire area is beginning a transition from the influence of Monsoonal moisture to a drier southwest flow which will raise temps and decrease relative humidity. |
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