Pinecam Blogger |
Saturday, April 27
GREAT NEWS! The evacuation order was just lifted. All evacuated residents can now return to their homes. --
Drove down to Bailey this afternoon to see how the winds were affecting the fire and I was surprised to see very little smoke, even with the high winds. + Fire holding at 2,500 acres (same as last 2 days) + It is 50% contained + Today's Priorities: (Reinforce fire lines, maintain structure protection efforts) + 607 fire personnel still on-scene (15 hand crews, 6 hot shot crews, 9 type II crews) + 46 engines (5 dozers, 5 water tankers, 3 type I choppers, 3 type III choppers, 5 two thousand gallon tankers and one air tanker on standby). + A 10th of an inch of snow fell on the higher elevations of the fire today helping the fire fighting efforts. + Temps today: Coooler with temps in the high 50's and 60's. + Good visibility today. --
Firewise Community Workshop Tuesday, April 30, 7-9PM Dry conditions combined with dense forest vegetation have created hazardous Learn what steps you can take as a homeowner to reduce the wildfire hazards Information includes: Directions to West Jefferson Middle School: Turn north on Wolfe (Wolfe runs north of the Conoco Loaf & Jug), then Presented by the Colorado Wildfire Hazard Education Team (WHET)
--
We're starting to get some pretty good winds now. Here's the forecast, and it is not good: Becoming partly cloudy. West winds increasing to 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 60 mph...decreasing late. Highs in the 50s. --
E-mails recieved from early this morning: IT'S SNOWING!!!!!!! It's the most beautiful snow I've ever seen. This should help the fierfighters even more. Posted by Mountain living lover at April 27, 2002 01:18 AM ===================================== I woke up at 1:00am to the pitter patter of rain on the sky lights and the wind chimes tinkling in the wind! I got up because I remembered I had left my daughters newly sprouted seeds out on the deck. Big white puffs of cotton were falling from the sky! I quickly brought in the plants and put them in the dining room in front of the slidng glass door. It was SNOWING! In 2000 when the High Meadow Fire was near containment it snowed also! This is such an incredible feeling! Thank you God! Posted by Nancy Wandrey at April 27, 2002 08:46 AM -- --
The USFS hasn't updated its Web site since 10AM Friday, so there's no new news other than what we can see from here. Weather continues to cooperate. We had a brief shower and snow overnight! About 400 homes in the Bailey area remained threatened and several neighborhoods are still evacuated; Lazy Ours, Baily Estates, Crow Valley, Crow Gulch and Horseshoe Park. There's no word on when those residents will be able to return to their homes. Some subdivisions still do not have power. Firefighters are worried water from helicopter drops could arc the lines and spark another fire, so the power was shut off. This was mentioned in the Thursday night meeting. As always, if you have updates, leave them in "Comments" or email me at wharrison@ibsys.com -- Friday, April 26
UPDATE: Firefighters now have the Bailey fire 50 percent contained. They hope to have an entire containment line built by Sunday evening and full control by Tuesday night. Fire cost so far: $1.1 million. --
I have some QuicktimeVR's (360's) that I did several years ago of the area. Crow Hill (prior to the fire) http://www.pinecam.com/PinecamVR/bailey.html Bailey http://www.pinecam.com/PinecamVR/bailey.html This is among the Colorado QTVR's I did as part of the Pinecam.com Web site. --
Fire map from today showing more detail on where subdivisions are located in relation to the fire lines. Residents of only four subdivisions were still prevented from returning to their homes Friday: Bailey Estates, Lazy Ours, Horseshoe and Crow Valley were still under an evacuation order.
-- -- --
Thanks to Kurt Boyer, we have a new chat room that doesn't have that annoying scroll. The link is on the front page of Pinecam, or you can click here. Join us! --
SNAKING FIRE UPDATE - Park County April 26, 2002 at 10:00am
This morning the weather is sunny and the helicopters are making water drops. The air tankers are expected to go into action soon. Firefighters on the scene call Thursday a great day for making progress on the fire. There are over 600 people, 6 helicopters, 85 engines, 5 dozers, 3 air tankers and 8 water tenders on the Snaking Fire. Thirty Engines have been released to their home units today. Weather conditions for today, Friday, may be hotter and dryer with high winds and lightening. Today's strategy is to work the fire from the northwest toward Highway 285, south of Crow. One thousand homes remain threatened along with the same number of commercial buildings. There was a public meeting last night at the Conifer High School to answer questions for the public. -- Platte Canyon High School PromFrom: "kim martin" I am a representative/parent for the Platte Canyon High School Prom and After Prom. We need to get the word to the students (Juniors and Seniors) that Prom tickets will be sold at the door at El Je Bel Shrine where Prom is being held this year. Prom tickets include After prom for $35.00. If the students are coming to just the After Prom party, tickets are $10.00 at the door of Red and Jerry's. --  Temperatures below freezing this morning, and frost on the ground. A good sign for firefighters.No new updates since last night: still at 2,500 acres and 35 percent contained. Thanks to the heroic efforts of firefighters, no homes have been lost to this fire, despite some being completely surrounded by flames. Thank you firefighters and support personnel! And a big thanks to the pilots and crew of those air tankers that came to our rescue! -- Thursday, April 25
Post from Lisa L: After talking to a fellow resident of Conifer Mountain in the Pinecam chat room recently, I've decided to set up an email group for residents of the mountain. Many residents work "down the hill" during the day and are concerned about getting pets off the mountain should the need arise due to a wildfire. I hope we can form a network of those willing to help evacuate pets if need be and to keep those who aren't on the mountain informed of current conditions during emergencies. Unfortunately, if dry conditions continue into the summer, the need for a virtual gathering place such as this won't end with the current fire. . . If you're interested in joining the group send me an email at Lsquared@rocketmail.com and I can give you more information or add you to the list! Lisa L. --
Just got back from the meeting at Conifer High School. Here is the very latest information on the fire:
Investigation into cause: Three high school students under investigation for accidently starting the fire while smoking. Current evacuated areas: Horse Shoe Park, Lazy Ours, Ravenswood, Hill & Dale, Bailey Estates, Parkview, Crow Valley. Red Cross Shelter: Conifer High School (Camp Santa Maria if Hwy 285 is closed again) Animal Relation Areas: Horses - Jeffco Fair Grounds (303) 271-6603 Phone Numbers: Pike Forest Recorded Update (719) 553-1640 Current Fire Resources: 619 interagency firefighting personnel Other notes: Power was cut to areas to keep water from the aircraft from causing the lines to arc and start new fires. Also for the safety of firefighters on the ground. The weather forecast for tonight and tomorrow is very good, with higher humidities expected to help make the fire less active. To prepare for evacuation: Pack needed essentials, medications, toiletries, clothes, small memorabilia, insurance records, legal documents, inform relatives/friends of phone number of evacuation site(s). --
Stopped to talk to some firefighters unloading two fire trucks off a semi at High Country Feed here in Pine Junction a few minutes ago. They're from the Miles City, Montana Fire Department. It took them 11 hours to get here. I told them I'm sure I spoke for everyone here in saying, "Welcome" and "Thank you." --
4 pm update: Weather helped firefighters on the fire line today. Fire is now 35 percent contained. Still at 2,400 acres. There's a town hall meeting tonight to brief residents on what's going on. It will be at Conifer HIgh School at 7:30 p.m. I'll be there and will update the blogger with any new info. Some rain is forecast tomorrow. The two juveniles that have been identified and interviewed about the start of the fire have not been arrested or charged, contrary to rumors running rampant up here. --
Thursday Afternoon update --
Only two out buildings lost the fire (in Lazy Ours). NO HOMES! Current evacuated areas: Horse Shoe Park, Lazy Ours, Ravenswood, Hill & Dale, Bailey Estates, Parkview, Crow Valley. Potential evacuated areas: Glen isle to Bailey (along 285 corridor), Burland Ranchettes, Friendship Ranch, ID-RA-HA-JE Christian Camp. Red Cross Shelter: Conifer High School (Camp Santa Maria if Hwy 285 is closed again) Animal Relation Areas: Horses - Jeffco Fair Grounds (303) 271-6603 Phone Numbers: Pike Forest Recorded Update (719) 553-1640 Current Fire Resources: 2 (20 person) hand crews (8 crews ordered) Here's a LARGE map of the area that's online (to see where the subdivisions and roads are): Here's a pretty general satellite photo, showing the smoke plume: --
Here's some good insurance information you should keep handy... I hadn't thought about filing for "smoke damage." As some residents are forced out of their homes by the Bailey fire, insurance companies arrived on the scene. While no structures were reported to have been lost, insurers were anticipating that policyholders would file claims for additional living expenses and smoke damage. "Insurance companies are monitoring the Snaking Fire very closely," said Carole Walker, Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association. "Homeowners who need extra money while they're evacuated from their homes can get immediate living expenses under their homeowners insurance policies." A mandatory evacuation triggers the additional living expenses, which are covered under most standard homeowners policies. Evacuated residents should also hang on to their receipts because they can either file a claim later or if there is any damage to their home many of those out-of-pocket expense will also be reimbursed. The Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association offered some advice for homeowners impacted by forsest fires:
Serious losses will be given priority. If your home has been destroyed or seriously damaged, your agent will do everything possible to assure that you are given priority. --
Blogger comments are back up. You can discuss the fire at Kurt Boyer's Web site (http://www.kurtboyer.com/phpBB2/ ). --
From: Eric Peña To: Harrison, Wayne Sent: 4/25/2002 11:55 AM Subject: Bailey fire info It is being reported by almost everyone that most evacuated residents ======================= There has been confusion about which neighborhoods are evacuated and which ones aren't. The command post folks say that Parkview, Ravenswood, Hill & Dale, and Horseshoe Park are all still evacuated. Park County Sheriff Recorded Evacuation Information (719) 836-4134 PCG --
We're livestreaming for AirTracker 7 (KMGH TV) over the fire now. Go to www.thedenverchannel.com to view it (our top story). Look for the link in the top story blurb. I moved the fire map to my server because it was taking too long to load from the government computer. I'm not sure what happened to the "Comments" at the end of each post. They are on a different server, which may be down. They're not showing up on my computer (maybe it's just my dial-up connection). --
Finally! Here's the official fire map... The DP numbers are drop points (where firefighting equipment is left for firefighters). The hatched line cutting across the northeast side of the fire is an bulldozed road, serving as the "line in the sand." I'm the red letters are areas used to identify parts of the fire perimeter.
-- Health Effects From The Smoke
People have been complaining of the effects since Tuesday. If you can smell smoke and are beginning to experience symptoms such The most sensitive populations include the elderly, the very young( If individuals continue to experience problems like repeated Some of the known components of forest or wild fire smoke include: Particulate matter: course, visible and fine invisible particles Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons: a class of organic compounds Carbon monoxide: a colorless, odorless, toxic gas produced in Aldehydes: compounds that irritate the eyes and mucous membranes of Volatile organic compounds.. strong irritants, some of which are Air quality monitors have not shown elevated pollution levels as a --
The main www.pinecam.com was down this morning due to heavy traffic. The fire has grown to 2,400 acres. All evacuated residents (except Parkview) were allowed to return to their homes last night. This is a good time to carefully go through what you have and decide what you want to take and what you are willing to leave (should you be evacuated again). We've got a lot of smoke in our neighborhood this morning. More fire crews are on the way today. My day job is a Web journalist for TheDenverChannel.com, so you'll also find good information there, as I update the story. We've got slide shows of fire and livestream video from the Channel 7 chopper each time it goes to the fire. -- Wednesday, April 24
Email asking for help: Please HELP Everett Clark --
Residents in three areas are being allowed to return to their homes tonight. They are: Burland Ranch Estates Friendship Ranch Camp Id Ra Ha Je All three Platte Canyon schools are closed until Monday at the earliest Deer Creek Elementary --
7NEWS is reporting that officials are looking at two teens in connection with the start of the fire. It supposedly started in a popular smoking area on the hill behind Platte Canyon High School. I had heard rumors about this Tuesday afternoon but held off passing it along because, at that time, it was only a rumor. --
Latest release from USFS (supercedes previous)
The wildfire has not jumped Highway 285. The Park County Sheriff closed There are evacuations in progress south of Highway 285 between Burland Four air tankers are dropping retardant as well as a "sky crane" helicopter Firefighters from across the nation continue to arrive, some as far away as A large wind gust moved through the area around midnight but fire activity Winds are expected to pick up after noon and blow from the west. Today's --
USFS News Release As of 12:30 p.m MDT today, the Snaking Fire has reached 1400 acres Firefighters on the scene report that the fire is very active. Winds at 30 Firefighters from across the nation are arriving, some as far away as A large wind gust moved through the area around midnight but fire activity Winds are expected to pick up after noon and blow from the west. The Web information on all fire activity can be accessed at A highly trained Type 1 team will soon take over management of the fire from The fire is believed to have started behind the Platte Canyon High School, --
Burland Ranchettes, Parkview and Glen Isle now being evacuated. Total number of evacuees approaching 2,500 (7NEWS report). --
PCG reports that Bailey being evacuated, with Hwy285 being closed to traffic in both directions. Mountain Resource Center seeking volunteers with space in their homes to help shelter familities displaced by the fire. Call MRC at 303-838-8031 if you can help. --
This just in from PineCamGuy who is at the scene of the fire and just attended a fire briefing. Terry McCann of the US Forest Service has advised that the fire is at 1288 acres, with 0% containment. PCM also reports (based on information provided in the fire news briefing) that the fire is burning in Burland subdivision on Aspen Lane, and fire officials are not sure if this fire is a new fire or part of the Snaking fire. Air drops are being concentrated on the Aspen Lane fire. No homes in Crow Gulch are reported to be on file at the present time. The earlier report by a TV news reporter of a fire on Jesse Lane in Bailey was actually controlled backfires that had been lit by firefighters as a preventive protection measure (to protect homes from the advancing Snaking fire). No vehicles are being permitted to drive into the area via Hwy 43, as officals want to keep this road clear for emergenecy vehicles and in cause an evacuation of area residents is needed. Govenor Bill Owens will be in the area at 3pm to view the fire as well as provide additional information. Residents can call the Park County Sheriffs office at 719-836-4121, 4122, 4123 for a recorded message re: communities that are or may be evacuated. --
Bailey resident spoke with Sheriff at Freindship Ranch, who reported that Friendship Ranch is evacuated, and that the fire is on the other side of ridge behind Friendship Ranch A Pinecam chatroom user has reported that The Denver Channel KMGH-TV has reported that the fire is burning toward the west right now, and is at 1288 acres. Also reported was that the fire was closing in on Bailey Estates subdivision. --
(Wednesday 4/24 - 8am) The Snaking Road Gulch Fire continues to burn near Bailey. Wayne Harrison (PineCamGuy) who is at the Platte Canyon Fire Dept, reports that spot fires have broken out on the south side of Highway 285, between Crow Hill and Bailey. Slurry bombers are concentrating their efforts on those new spot fires. The fire, which started north of the Platte Canyon High School, burned southeast during Tuesday evening, forcing the evacuation of several developments in the Bailey area. -- --
I'm going to the media staging/command center at Crow Hill to assist Channel 7 (where I actually work - this is just a hobby). Please leave updates in the "Comments" section. --
Here's a map that shows the general location of the fire. While it doesn't show the boundries of the fire, it does show neighborhood roads.
--
Latest official forecast, as winds pick up here: NOW...WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS AT SPEEDS OF 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS AS HIGH AS 45 MPH WILL CONTINUE OVER THE MOUNTAINS AND HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF THE EASTERN FOOTHILLS THROUGH MID MORNING. TODAY...SOME CLOUDS EARLY...OTHERWISE MOSTLY SUNNY... NORTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH WITH NORTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 30 MPH OVER HIGHER ELEVATIONS. COOLER WITH HIGHS IN THE 50S. --
If you would like to leave a message for someone at the Red Cross shelter, at Elk Creek, call the Red Cross in 303-722-7474. -- -- --
No big wind problems overnight. Winds are calm this morning, but that is expected to change. Here's some more info for evacuees: Mandatory Evacuation # 303-838-4441. Park County dispatch is helping people with temporary shelters for animals. This number should be used if you are in the evacuated area only. For those dog owners who are being evacuated from the fire, there is a shelter on Crow Hill that is taking evacuated dogs for free. It is called "Alpine Micky's" and at 19 Parkview Court. That's between Bailey and Cty. Rd 72 on Crow Hill. (safe from the fire, at least for now) Contact Michele: 303-838-0801 As always, if you have information, or questions, leave them in the "comments" section below each post. -- Tuesday, April 23
Just found this in the "Comments" section and thought it was worthwhile to re-post: Posted by Cyndy Adams at April 23, 2002 10:31 PM There are several lists posted on the Platte Canyon Fire hall for volunteers. I hung around the fire hall for awhile to try to find a way to be useful, but the US Forest service has command of the situation right now so the area fire departments are mostly waiting at the hall, also frustrated at the inability to go in and fight this. Local fire departments are staged with the primary pupose of defending structures. Last word I had at the fire hall was no structures were lost. Fire radio indicated the flame front is about 1/4 mile SW of crow valley road.....as of 10:20 pm. For those who own property in the threatened areas, there is a massive amount of equipment already at HWY 285 and hwy 43.....West Metro, Jefco and castle rock amongst others from the mountain region and Denver West Suburbs all have equipment there for property defense. Helicopter and aircraft are not being utilized due to winds, although the winds this evening have not seemed to be excessive this evening.?????? Fire is fully visable northwest of 285 halfway down crow hill.......one mountaintop is fully engulfed, probably within 1.5 miles of the command center. If this has traveled all the way from the HighSChool, it seems to me it is considerably larger than 800 acres..... --
11 p.m. update: *- Horseshoe Park Subdivision Has been added to the evacuation list.... So far a total 7 areas are evacuated *-fire has grown to 800 acres *-Fire is 10% contained *-2 injures so far. One was firefighter who sprained his ankle the other was a private citizen who has smoke inhalation. -Fire is now in the Spilt Rock Mtn Area. -#of Evacuated houses is between 400-500 homes.... 500 homes are threatened to include the town of Bailey -No homes have been damaged so far -Fire is moving in a Northeast direction. The wind is coming from the South. -17 engines are on scene *-182 personel are fighting the fire *-10 more 20 person hand crews have been ordered. *****this went from 4 to 10 crews ordered*** -A "Type 1 team" will arrive on Wednesday. These are fire fighters specially trained to fight forest fires. *-Officials expect to double or triple the man power on the fire Wednesday. *-3 air tankers and 3 helicopters have been ordered for Wednesday -Salvation Army & Red Cross providing food for the firefighters. -fire is termed as "intense with crowning and torching" --
Join us right now in the Pinecam chat room and talk about the fire. http://mercury.beseen.com/chat/rooms/k/23957/Login.html --
Here's the official fire weather foreast for our area (Red Flag Warning ends at 10pm tonight): .TONIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR UNTIL 0300...THEN PARTLY CLOUDY (40-50%) --
About 100 people at the Red Cross shelter tonight at Elk Creek Elementary, I hear. FEMA has made a federal declaration on this fire (FIRE MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE DECLARATION), which helps reimburse local agencies fighting the fire. The head of FEMA personally called Gov. Owens to let him know. About 120 more firefighters are due in Wednesday morning, as well as a "Level 1" firefighting team from South Dakota. Many people had just minutes to evacuate their homes this afternoon, so if you are anywhere near this fire Iwithin 5 miles) it might be prudent to sort of gather your important belongings into one place so you can grab them quickly. Leave the TVs and computers. Take the family pictures albums and things that can't be replaced by insurance. --
Now 800 acres burned. (latest estimate) Here's the problem: a cold front is moving into the area sometime after midnight. It will bring GUSTY winds which could kick the fire up in the middle of the night. The wind direction is expected to change, too. It will be from the north with the passage of the front. The good news is, that wind shift would push the fire over on itself (toward areas that have already burned) and we could get some added humidity from the cold front. --
Arrived in Pine Junction following an uneventful bus trip from Denver (the traffic wasn't even backed up). I was surprised that the fire didn't look that bad from the top of Richmond Hill. If you have an RV and are looking for a place to park it, or spend the night, there are a number of RVers setting up in the RTD Mountain View Park and Ride (north lot) where nobody parks. Still seemed to be plenty of room. I noticed that Elk Creek Elementary was busy (the official shelter). Saw a large Qwest truck coming up the hill, along with the Salvation Army.; The smoke is not too bad at our house (Pine Junction). --
If you would like to help those affected by the fire, please leave your name and phone number in the "comments" section. I'll compile them when I get home (still at work - about to catch the last bus home). -- -- -- --
As of 4:30pm, Park County sheriff's Deputies are alerting people in the following area to evacuate immediately (24 officers are alerting residents): Subdivisions evacuated: Ravenswood. Crow Gulch Friendship Ranch Bailey Estates Hill & Dale Crow Valley Evacuees should go to Elk Creek Elementary. School, just off of Hwy 285, between Pine Junction and Shaffer's crossing. Red Cross volunteers will be there to assist. 150 acres have been burned, NO road closures to report at this time. *****SCHOOLS CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY***** Deer Creek Elementary. Fitzsimmons Middle Platte Canyon H.S. -- --
I'm unable to answer emails at this time. Getting bogged down with updates to TheDenverChannel.com and Pinecam.com. --
Evacuations ordered for the following subdivisions: Friendship Ranch, Crow Gulch, Ravenswood and Bailey Estates. --  Bill & Kay Fink live near me in the Highland Pines subdivision (in Pine Junction) and took this fire picture around 4 p.m. This is looking west.I'm now livestreaming Airtracker 7 video on TheDenverChannel.com. --
I will be livestreaming video from AirTracker 7 as soon as he gets near the fire. You'll find it on TheDenverChannel.com (the Web site for Channel 7 where I work ... and where I am updating my site from now) --
Fire is spreading up Grouse Mountain and growing very rapidly. It appears to be heading northeast. This would potentially affect people living along Deer Creek on the other side of the mountain... If you live anywhere near this fire, please start thinking about what you want to take and what you will leave. It's better to do this when you have time, than in a moment of panic. --  Snaking Road Gulch Fire is the name of the fire. This picture was taken from Elk Horn Acres, looking south, taken by Martha Ryan.As of 2:40 pm, the fire has consumed 75 acres. Both Platte Canyon High School and Fitzsimmons Middle school were evacuated, even though they are not in danger at this time. In addition, there has been a voluntary evacuation of the trailer park near Lazy Ours cabins on Hwy 285. The fire is burning on both private property and Forest Service land. Platte Canyon fire protection district and forest service are fighting the fire. There is zero containment of the fire at this time, and winds have picked up, which is a major concern for the firefighters and supporting staff. The Park County Sheriff's office in Fairplay is taking only emergency calls at this time. OFF THE SCANNERS: Platte canyon is asking for aid from: --
The fire west of Bailey has exploded. I can see it from downtown Denver. It is now 75 acres and growing. The Lazy Ours cabins have been evacuated. This is a MAJOR wildfire. --  Paul Fuller e-mailed a few photos of the fire. Here's one that shows the smoke on the side of the mountain. He said the fire has run up the mountain. The chopper pilot has spotted a new area burning.-- --
Students at Platte Canyon and Fitzsimmons are being bused home. The schools are closing early. Marge Hudnak pool has cancelled lessons this afternoon. --
I'm just hearing reports of a two to three-acre fire behind Platte Cayon High School. The school has not been evacuated. It looks like it's on the hill behind the hill with the water tower. Lots of fire units heading to the scene... If you have more information on this, please email me at wharrison@ibsys.com (or add info by clicking on "Comments" below). -- Monday, April 22Jeffco Issues Fire RestrictionsEffective on Tuesday, April 23, 2002 at 9 a.m., temporary fire restrictions will be issued for portions of unincorporated Jefferson County. These restrictions will be in effect for the following areas: - West of State Highway 93 These temporary fire restrictions coincide with restrictions that become effective tomorrow by the United Stated Forest Service for the Pike-San Isabel National Forest. The local restrictions will be in effect until rescinded by the Jefferson County Sheriff. While these temporary fire restrictions are in effect, the following activities are strictly prohibited: * Building, maintaining, attending or using any fire or campfire, except a fire within a permanently constructed fire grate in a developed park, campground, or picnic area. EXEMPTIONS: a. Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act. b. Persons using a fire solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels. c. Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice. d. Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty. FIRE RESTRICTION EVALUATION GUIDELINES (PBC) (ALL FIRE RESTRICTION AREAS) When weather factors or fire suppression impacts become a concern, the following criteria will be used to determine if a Fire Restriction should be considered by area. Use weather data from weather stations in each Fire Restriction Area to make determination. When more than one station must be evaluated in an area, average the output to arrive at the following criteria: >1,000 HOUR FUEL MOISTURE CONTENT IS 12% OR LESS. >3 DAY MEAN ENERGY RELEASE COMPONENT (ERC) IS AT THE 90TH PERCENTILE OR ABOVE. >FIRE DANGER RATING ADJECTIVE CLASS IS AT VERY HIGH OR EXTREME. FIRES ARE IMPACTING AVAILABLE SUPPRESSION RESOURCES, MAKING ADEQUATE INITIAL ATTACK DIFFICULT. AREA IS RECEIVING A HIGH OCCURRENCE OF HUMAN-CAUSED FIRES OR THE HUMAN CAUSED RISK IS PREDICTED TO INCREASE. ADVERSE FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND RISKS ARE PREDICTED TO CONTINUE. LOCAL FIRE PREPAREDNESS LEVEL OF 3 OR ABOVE. STAGE 1: IF AT LEAST 3 OF THE CONDITIONS ABOVE ARE MET, CONSIDER INITIATING A STAGE I RESTRICTION. STAGE II: CONSIDER INITIATING A STAGE II RESTRICTION AFTER A STAGE I RESTRICTION HAS BEEN IN EFFECT AND 4 OR MORE OF THE CONDITIONS ABOVE ARE IMPACTED. Dated April 22, 2002 --
The Topaz Mountain fire was declared 50 percent contained Monday. Firefighters hope to have it fully contained by Wednesday). -- |
The size of the fire remains at an estimated 2500 acres and at 35% containment. The fire managers hope for 50 - 60 % containment by tonight. 
Status/Progress:
The air tankers are making runs on the fire again!
According to firefighters on the scene this afternoon, the fire is 
