Friday, 26 September 2014 16:40

King Fire Update Sept 26, 2014

Incident Overview


 

 

The King Fire is being managed in Unified Command with Eldorado National Forest, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and CAL FIRE. The Federal Team CIIMT 5 (Jim Giachino) will be coordinating firefighting operations of Zone 1 (northern portion) of the fire, and CAL FIRE IMT 5 (Kevin Smith) is managing Zone 2 (southern portion) of the fire.

 

 

Basic Information

Current as of 9/26/2014 8:40:50 AM
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Arson
Date of Origin Saturday September 13th, 2014 approx. 06:37 PM
Location Forebay Road, Pollock Pines, CA
Incident Commander Unified Command CIIMT-5, CALFIRE IMT-5

Current Situation

Total Personnel 7,749
Size 96,004 Acres
Percent of Perimeter Contained 68%
Fuels Involved

Heavy timber, steep terrain

Significant Events

The Pacific system came through the fire area yesterday bringing 0.6-0.9 inches of rain. The observed fire activity was minimal with smoldering in interior pockets of the heavier fuels.

Zone 1: With the diminished threat level, additional excess resources were mobilized. A suppression repair plan from the El Dorado National Forest was completed and signed today, implementation will begin tomorrow.

Zone 2: The south and southwest areas (Branch I and III) have been combined. Control lines are in with mop up and patrol continuing. There are still concerns with roll out and slung line in the western portion near Rubicon drainage area but direct and indirect lines have been strengthened. The east/south east sport fires across the line have been caught and tied into Little Silver Creek and Junction Reservoir. Existing control lines were strengthened with mop up and patrolling.

Completion of containment lines continue to be coordinated between Zones 1 and 2.

Outlook

Planned Actions

Zone 1: Demobilization of excess resources. Begin suppression repair per the approved plan standards. Build direct line as needed. Widen and improve existing direct and indirect line. Continue putting hose lines. Mop up 100' in.

Zone 2: West and south west areas will mop up, hold, and improve existing control lines. In the east, south east areas, mop up, hold, and improve existing control lines.

Projected Incident Activity

With the diminished fire activity and the projected good relative humidity recovery tonight, the fire is not expected to move. Smoldering of heavy pockets of fuel are anticipated. However the fuels are expected to dry out.

Remarks

This update is to update for reducing the evacuations order to advisory.

Substantial demobilization of excess resources is ongoing. The numbers reflected in the Resource Commitment Summary does not reflect the resources still in the demobilization process. This evening's Incident Status Summary will better reflect the number of resources actually on the incident.

Current Weather

Weather Concerns

Thursday night: Cooper temperatures and high relative humidity developed overnight. Winds weakened, especially at the ridgetops with south west winds becoming south 10-15 mph. Low temperatures will range from the low 40s at the higher elevations to around 50 in the lower slopes and valleys. Maximum relative humidity will recover nicely between 90 and 100%.

Friday: A low pressure system will become the dominate feature Friday through Sunday. As the low travels south of the fire Friday into Sunday, the result will be cool and unsettled weather. Expect isolated or scattered rain showers with the possibility of thundershowers. The highest potential is during the late afternoon and evening hours with showers lasting overnight. Highs from 50-65 degrees. Southwest ridgetop winds will become westerly late Friday afternoon with gusts to 15 mph. The lower slopes and valleys will see west to northwest winds developing late morning into the afternoon between 6-12 mph.