Topaz Lake - Sept 8-10, 2017

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5150bossman
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Topaz Lake - Sept 8-10, 2017

Post by 5150bossman »

I called the Lodge today and they advised that they were evacuated yesterday, but are back open today, even though the roads in and out are currently closed, so no way to get there. The fire was just across the highway, and the area visibility is greatly reduced. Still have some time before the run, so stay tuned.

This is the latest today from Inciweb;

Slinkard Fire Morning Update - Sept. 1, 2017

Incident: Slinkard Fire Wildfire
Released: 2 hrs. ago
Slinkard Fire Update:
Slinkard Fire PIO: Brian Reublinger 775-772-3426 or breublinger@fs.fed.us
Update: The Slinkard fire is being managed by a Sierra Front Type 3 Incident Management Team. Embedding on the fire today is the Southern California Type 2 Incident Management Team 3.
Last night, the fire’s activity continued to be active and erratic. Most activity was on the western and northern perimeters with fire activity backing down slopes towards Hwy 395 and moving rapidly in the grasses. The California Inspection Station in Topaz was saved. The community of Holbrook Junction is our protection priority, along with improving dozer lines and defending Leviathan lookout. Priorities of the Slinkard fire is always firefighter/public safety, all structures protected and natural resources maintained.
Evacuations: Topaz north of Highway 89 to the Nevada State line.
Closures: For public safety, S.R. 89 remains closed between Hwy 395 and S.R. 4 at Monitor Pass. Hwy 395 is closed from the junction of State Route 182 in Bridgeport to the Nevada state line. However, Hwy 395 will be open for local traffic with highway patrol escort when safe. A detour is in place for Hwy 395 and access to Bridgeport remains open. S.R. 108 (Sonora Pass) is open, but drivers must go south on Hwy 395 and then connect to the detour in Bridgeport if traveling north.
Resources: Numerous resources are ordered including hand crews, which are a critical need, as well as air resources. An Incident Management Type 2 Team is also responding.
Location: The Fire is located in Slinkard Valley and the west slope of Antelope Valley, west of Topaz in Mono County, CA. The fire is burning in cheat grass, sagebrush and pinyon/juniper.
Cooperators:
Bureau of Land Management Bishop Field Office, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Antelope Valley Fire Protection District, East Fork Valley Fire Protection District, CA-EOS, CAL FIRE, Mono County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, Nevada Highway Patrol, Nevada Division of Forestry, Douglas County Sheriff’s Department, Cal Trans and Nevada DOT.

Size:
7,200 Acres
Containment:
0%
Location:
Topaz Lake
8 miles north of Walker, CA
West of Highway 395 and across Highway 89
Structures Lost:
0
Resources:
4 Hand Crews
51 Fire Engines
8 Aircraft
2 Dozers
Last edited by 5150bossman on Tue Sep 05, 2017 6:52 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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5150bossman
Posts: 607
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2010 5:00 am
Location: So Cal

Re: Topaz Lake - 2017

Post by 5150bossman »

Things are looking better today. Looks like 395 is back open for the moment.

From Inciweb;
There was minimal growth and activity last night due to calm winds.
Today’s fire priorities are control the fire’s north-west spread which could threaten residential areas watershed, cultural and heritage sites. Structure defense resources remain in place in Holbrook Highlands and the area of Topaz Lake and Highway 395.

Unseasonably hot temperatures will continue through the weekend with light easterly winds in the valleys and poor overnight humidity recovery for mid and upper slopes. Winds will be stronger over the ridge tops tonight, then become lighter Saturday night. Moisture will begin to work north Sunday with increasing chances of thunderstorms starting Monday through midweek. More weather
Highway 395 will remain open. California and Nevada Highway Patrol will be on the highway monitoring the situation. Highway is subject to closure if conditions change. Please exercise extreme caution as firefighters may be working from the roadway. Motorists traveling on Highway 395 are reminded that there will be large amounts of fire traffic and this is a holiday weekend. Please drive with caution.
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5150bossman
Posts: 607
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2010 5:00 am
Location: So Cal

Re: Topaz Lake - 2017

Post by 5150bossman »

Things are looking much better. Fire is laying down, and containment is up.

Image

Here is the latest Inciweb briefing;
Topaz, California, September 4, 2017 The Slinkard Fire is currently 9,093 acres with 49 percent containment. The fire originated in Slinkard Valley caused by a lightning strike on Aug. 29, 2017. Fire is currently located on the west slope of Antelope Valley, west of Topaz Lake and eight miles north of Walker, California. The fire is located in Alpine and Mono counties in California and Douglas County in Nevada. The fire is burning in cheat grass, sagebrush and pinyon/juniper.

Personnel 418, Crews 11, Helicopters 4, Engines 30, Dozers 3, Water Tenders 11

Last night, fire activity was minimal except for one small spot fire which occurred on Highway 395 which was promptly extinguished. Today firefighters will continue to strengthen patrols in and around structures in the Holbrook Highlands area. Firefighters continue to construct and improve containment lines. Mop-up continues in the north and westerly portions of the fire. Crews will continue to patrol for hotspots along the Highway 395.
Hot temperatures with light valley winds will continue through Monday with poor overnight humidity recovery. Locally gusty east winds are likely over the higher ridges tonight and Monday. Chances of thunderstorms will begin to increase Monday and Tuesday with the best chance on Wednesday. A cooling trend with near normal temperatures is expected later in the week.

Highway 395 will remain open with periodic closures due to fire activity. Highway 89 remains closed over Monitor Pass. California and Nevada Highway Patrol will be on the highway monitoring the situation. Please exercise extreme caution as firefighters may be working from the roadway. Motorists traveling on Highway 395 are reminded that there will be large amounts of holiday, fire, and Burning Man traffic. Please drive with additional care.

A temporary flight restriction(TFR) has been put in place over the fire. Unauthorized drone flights over or near a wildfires could cause serious injury or death to firefighters in the air and/or firefighters and members of the public on the ground. Firefighting aircraft - such as air attack aircraft, lead planes, air-tankers and helicopters - typically fly in smoky, windy and turbulent conditions. Safety depends on knowing what other aircraft are operating in the airspace and where they are at all times. This is compromised by the presence of unauthorized drones.
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5150bossman
Posts: 607
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Re: Topaz Lake - 2017

Post by 5150bossman »

Things couldn't be looking better, and Bob says the run is on.

Here is today's update;
Topaz, California, September 5, 2017 - The Slinkard Fire is currently 9093 acres with 74 percent containment. The fire originated in Slinkard Valley caused by a lightning strike on Aug. 29, 2017. Fire is located on the west slope of Antelope Valley, west of Topaz Lake and eight miles north of Walker, California. The fire was located in Alpine and Mono counties in California and Douglas County in Nevada. The fire is burning in cheat grass, sagebrush and pinyon/juniper.

Total Personnel 322, Crews 8, Helicopters 4, Engines 24, Dozers 2, Water Tenders 7

Low pressure off the coast will bring increasing moisture with thunderstorms in the area the next two days. Storms will move up from the southeast. Chances of rain will increase from yesterday and some local wetting rains may occur. Lightning strikes may occur outside fire area causing the threat of new fires. Wetter storms are expected on Wednesday.

Overnight the fire was closely monitored by nightshift firefighters. Minimal fire activity was noted in the interior of the fire. Crews will continue to construct and improve containment lines. Line construction and mop-up continues in the north and west portions of the fire. Crews will continue to patrol for hotspots along the Highway 395.

Residents and visitors may see occasional flare ups especially at night. These flare ups are well within the burned area and do not represent a threat to containment lines. Night shift firefighters are monitoring these flare ups and will take suppression action as needed.

Highway 395 is open with periodic closure. Highway 89 over Monitor Pass remains closed due to fire activity. Please drive with additional care.

Southern California Incident Management Team 3 will transfer command on Thursday local Type 4 organization.

A temporary flight restriction(TFR) has been put in place over the fire. Unauthorized drone flights over or near a wildfires could cause serious injury or death to firefighters in the air and/or firefighters and members of the public on the ground. Firefighting aircraft - such as air attack aircraft, lead planes, airtankers and helicopters - typically fly in smoky, windy and turbulent conditions. Safety depends on knowing what other aircraft are operating in the airspace and where they are at all times. This is compromised by the presence of unauthorized drones.
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