The latest Incident Report on the MOUNTAIN FIRE. The growth potential is extreme. - sharmin inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3516/ Incident Overview ·Please see the Maps Page for an updated map or click link below · inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/map/3516/0/ General Fire Info: The Mountain Fire started at 1:43 PM on July 15, 2013 near the junction of Highway 243 and Highway 74. It is currently burning east of the Mountain Center and Apple Canyon Areas. It is burning in very steep and rugged terrain in the southern portion of the San Jacinto Wilderness along the Desert Divide and in the Apple Canyon and Bonita Vista Areas. A Type 1 Incident Management Team lead by Pincha-Tulley assumed command of the fire at 1800 hrs on 7/16/2013. Damage Assessment Update: A damage assessment has been completed for the Bonita Vista, Pine Springs and Zen Mountain Center Area. Bonita Vista - 3 mobile homes and 3 residences were destroyed, 1 residence sustained damage. Pine Springs - 1 commercial building, a workshop, garage, and cabin were destroyed. Zen Mountain Center - No damages. In addition to the above residences, there were a total of 11 outbuildings and 4-6 vehicles destroyed. It is important to note that while homes and buildings were destroyed or damaged, firefighters were able to defend and save a larger number of homes. It is always important to remind homeowners that homes and building with proper clearances and fuels abatements always give firefighters better opportunities to successfully defend and save those homes, especially when defending those homes in the face of an advancing fire front. Trail Closures: The Pacific Crest Trail is closed from Highway 74 north to Saddle Junction. All of the trails connection to the Pacific Crest Trail are closed as well, including South Ridge Trail, Carumba Trail, Spitler Peak Trail, Fobes Trail, and Cedar Springs. Hurkey Creek County Camground, and all of the hiking and mountain biking trails out of Hurkey creek and May Valley are closed. Individuals or groups with overnight or advance day-use permits into the San Jacinto Wilderness are advised to call the San Jacinto Ranger Station at 909-382-2921. Forest Service areas south of Highway 74 remain open (Thomas Mountain, Santa Rosa and the Forest Service Day Use Area along Lake Hemet). Visitors should remain cautions when driving; Air quality is not good in some of these areas. Road Closures and Evacuations: Highway 243 has been reopened in all directions, so all major highways are open. Motorists and residents in the mountain communities should expect to see a large amount of fire related traffic on Highway 243 and 74, especially in the Garner Valley area. Mandatory evacuation orders are still in effect for the Andreas Canyon Club, south of Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, and for Bonita Vista, Pine Springs, and the Zen Mountain Center off of Apple Canyon Road. Camp Ronald McDonald and Camp Joe Sherman have been voluntarily evacuated due to health concerns related to air quality. Evacuation Centers: Hemet High School, 41701 E. Stetson Ave, Hemet Hamilton High School, 57430 Mitchell Road, Anza - Can accept small animals Small animals can be brought to the SanJacinto Animal Shelter, 581 S. Grand Ave, San Jacinto CA Equipment on-Scene: 2210 firefighters, including 128 engines, 16 helicopters, 10 fixed wing aircraft, including a DC-10, 36 hand-crews, 8 water-tenders, and 12 dozers. Basic Information Incident Type Wildfire Cause Under Investigation Date of Origin Monday July 15th, 2013 approx. 01:43 PM Location Mountain Center Incident Commander Pincha-tulley Type 1 Imt Current Situation Total Personnel 2,210 Size 14,200 acres Percent Contained 10% Fuels Involved Chaparral and Timber Fire Behavior Rapid Fire Spread through timber and chapparal. Significant Events Evacuations in the Apple Canyon Area, and Andreas Canyon Club (S. Palm Springs) Outlook Planned Actions Continued direct attack where feasible, utilize air resources Growth Potential Extreme Terrain Difficulty High Current Weather Wind Conditions 2-5 G8 mph W Temperature 99 degrees Humidity 5 - 10%
Posted on: Wed, 17 Jul 2013 18:42:05 +0000