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Lime Gulch Fire-Evacs Lifted, Estimated Containment 6/23!
22 Jun 2013 16:53 #342
by ScienceChic
"Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe.” -King T'Challa, Black Panther
The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it. ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is. ~Winston Churchill
Replied by ScienceChic on topic Lime Gulch Fire-Evacs Lifted, Estimated Containment 6/23!
Sorry for the delay in posting these. After the press conference this morning, they escorted media down into the closed area for a closer view. I couldn't pass up that opportunity!
The part that is colored black is what they consider contained. The spot fires occurred where the fire comes closest to the river at the northeast corner. They are focusing their efforts today on the northwest corner where there are power lines so they can get that area to a level they consider contained and then allow IREA to turn power back on for residents. Their other focus was the eastern side where the wind wants to push it.
They took us up to Reynolds Reserve. From here, we could see almost the entire burn area, circled in red. The boxed area in yellow is last year's Lower North Fork Fire. Chair Rock is indicated, although you can't see it from our viewpoint. As we stood there, we could see the helicopters dropping down to fill their buckets, then rising and dumping them, it was a sight (yes, I got video of that too - it's uploading slowly).
From there, we drove on down to the river and were able to see burn areas up close. Only two spots smoking so mop up is proceeding well.
We stopped when we reached the spot where the firefighters had forded the river yesterday when it came close to the banks (and ultimately spotted across 10 times). They sent 40 personnel over, 3 at a time, to clear the line along the river so it couldn't jump easily.
Here's one of the spot fires that happened across the river. It's about 30ft in diameter. They have personnel stationed all along the river to quickly catch and tamp them out.
I'll upload video as I get it processed (unfortunately, can only do one at a time). It was a very educational trip and I'd like to extend my thanks to Steve Rinella, Operations Chief of the Rocky Mountain Area Incident Management Team overseeing the 3 divisions on the ground, who took time to chat with us at Reynolds Reserve where he was working as spotter. He explained that they had about 200 firefighters surrounding the perimeter who were digging lines and mopping up existing lines to get it contained and controlled.
Also to Gary Lenhausen, Information Officer from the Forest Service, and especially Patty Bean, Information Officer from the Park Service who drove us around (Walt accompanied me, and got some good video and photos as well). She was a wealth of information and allowed me to quote her as saying that she's "very comfortable seeing the level of cooperation between federal, state, and local agencies." In the past, sheriff's tended to stay out of fire situations, but as resources dwindle at all levels - federal, state, and local, they are finding that it's highly beneficial to work together and share resources. The team that is working this fire is truly inter-agency as we have representatives from the US Forest Service, Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Sheriff's Office, and local firefighting crews all together.
Ms. Bean also explained to us what these trucks were that we passed that were "Hotshot Crews" - Bonneville Hotshot and Redmond Hotshot crews were on scene. They are highly trained firefighting personnel that are called in when the terrain is particularly difficult/steep.
Mop up: crews go in and feel for hot spots by holding their hand over the ground and anywhere they feel heat, they dig it up and turn it over, and/or pour water on it (if they have some) until it is completely out. They will start letting people back in to the area when they feel comfortable that they've gotten most of the mop up done, especially around the perimeter.
That's it for my notes, there's more swimming in my head, but I have to get home and get it organized. I'll upload videos as soon as I can (the press conference video is taking too long).
The part that is colored black is what they consider contained. The spot fires occurred where the fire comes closest to the river at the northeast corner. They are focusing their efforts today on the northwest corner where there are power lines so they can get that area to a level they consider contained and then allow IREA to turn power back on for residents. Their other focus was the eastern side where the wind wants to push it.
They took us up to Reynolds Reserve. From here, we could see almost the entire burn area, circled in red. The boxed area in yellow is last year's Lower North Fork Fire. Chair Rock is indicated, although you can't see it from our viewpoint. As we stood there, we could see the helicopters dropping down to fill their buckets, then rising and dumping them, it was a sight (yes, I got video of that too - it's uploading slowly).
From there, we drove on down to the river and were able to see burn areas up close. Only two spots smoking so mop up is proceeding well.
We stopped when we reached the spot where the firefighters had forded the river yesterday when it came close to the banks (and ultimately spotted across 10 times). They sent 40 personnel over, 3 at a time, to clear the line along the river so it couldn't jump easily.
Here's one of the spot fires that happened across the river. It's about 30ft in diameter. They have personnel stationed all along the river to quickly catch and tamp them out.
I'll upload video as I get it processed (unfortunately, can only do one at a time). It was a very educational trip and I'd like to extend my thanks to Steve Rinella, Operations Chief of the Rocky Mountain Area Incident Management Team overseeing the 3 divisions on the ground, who took time to chat with us at Reynolds Reserve where he was working as spotter. He explained that they had about 200 firefighters surrounding the perimeter who were digging lines and mopping up existing lines to get it contained and controlled.
Also to Gary Lenhausen, Information Officer from the Forest Service, and especially Patty Bean, Information Officer from the Park Service who drove us around (Walt accompanied me, and got some good video and photos as well). She was a wealth of information and allowed me to quote her as saying that she's "very comfortable seeing the level of cooperation between federal, state, and local agencies." In the past, sheriff's tended to stay out of fire situations, but as resources dwindle at all levels - federal, state, and local, they are finding that it's highly beneficial to work together and share resources. The team that is working this fire is truly inter-agency as we have representatives from the US Forest Service, Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Sheriff's Office, and local firefighting crews all together.
Ms. Bean also explained to us what these trucks were that we passed that were "Hotshot Crews" - Bonneville Hotshot and Redmond Hotshot crews were on scene. They are highly trained firefighting personnel that are called in when the terrain is particularly difficult/steep.
Mop up: crews go in and feel for hot spots by holding their hand over the ground and anywhere they feel heat, they dig it up and turn it over, and/or pour water on it (if they have some) until it is completely out. They will start letting people back in to the area when they feel comfortable that they've gotten most of the mop up done, especially around the perimeter.
That's it for my notes, there's more swimming in my head, but I have to get home and get it organized. I'll upload videos as soon as I can (the press conference video is taking too long).
"Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe.” -King T'Challa, Black Panther
The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it. ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is. ~Winston Churchill
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22 Jun 2013 21:17 #350
by ScienceChic
"Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe.” -King T'Challa, Black Panther
The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it. ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is. ~Winston Churchill
Replied by ScienceChic on topic Lime Gulch Fire-Evacs Lifted, Estimated Containment 6/23!
Steve Rinella, the Operations Chief, giving us the run-down on how they operate while we watched the helicopters make repeated water drops.
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO!
[youtube:mz9vy15w][/youtube:mz9vy15w]
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO!
[youtube:mz9vy15w][/youtube:mz9vy15w]
"Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe.” -King T'Challa, Black Panther
The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it. ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is. ~Winston Churchill
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
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