Category Archives: Fire Updates

On Tuesday, air tankers dropped four loads of water in late morning to slow the fire where hand crews were working. Crews then continued to reinforce fire lines along the southern portion of the west flank where the fire behavior was quiet. Twin columns of smoke developed on the north and northeast portions of the fire as the fire picked up steam and moved down into the S. Fork of the Goodpaster River from Columbia Creek and east out of Bear Creek drainage. Structure protection work continued and was successful for two historical cabins located in the vicinity of the fire. This effort entails firefighter deployment to the site to clear flammable vegetation and set up a water pump and sprinkler system. Firefighters will continue to focus on preventing the spread of the fire to the west and south. The fire has been mapped at 37,900 acres as of Tuesday night.

Currently three helicopters are assigned to the fire and operate during the day out of the staging area located on Sawmill Creek Road. The helicopters conducted crew shuttles and bucket work and hauled supplies of food, water, pumps, hoses, and other equipment to the nine crews that are working on the fire. There are currently 205 personnel assigned to this incident.

A Type 2 Incident Management Team (IMT) has been ordered for the East Volkmar Fire. An Oregon-based IMT will arrive in Delta on Friday to assume command on Saturday. Having the IMT in place will free up local firefighting resources for potential new fire starts.

WEATHER FORECAST WEDNESDAY:
TEMPERATURES: 76F HUMIDITY: 24-30% WINDS: SW 5-10mph
OUTLOOK FOR THURSDAY: CLOUDY, NO PRECIP, RH ABOVE 40%, WIND: W 12-16

Date: 2011-05-30 00:00:00

http://inciweb.org/incident/2253/

East Volkmar Fire

(Delta) A large storm cell passed northeast of the fire in the afternoon causing active fire behavior and major fire growth to the east and northeast in Bear Creek drainage, its tributaries, and surrounding mountains. The northern most section of the fire is 1 mile from the South Fork of the Goodpaster between Columbia and Bear Creeks. The eastern perimeter remains west of Michigan Creek.

Four loads of aerial retardant were utilized on the west flank on Sunday where firefighters worked to prevent fire spread toward Volkmar Lake. This flank is currently holding. Preventing fire spread into the Goodpaster River drainage is also a priority. There are 201 personnel assigned to the fire which was mapped at 16,000 acres.

The storm cells that affected the fire also pelted other areas with lightning on Sunday afternoon. Delta Area Forestry posted lookouts and conducted an aerial detection flight and will continue to search for new wildfire starts. The rain received in the Delta Junction area was not widespread.

In spite of the East Volkmar Fire, extreme fire danger indices, and a suspension of open burning, Forestry continues to respond to unauthorized and dangerous debris burns and bon-fires. Residents must not light yard burns at this time. The only fires allowed are small cooking fires 2-3 feet in diameter that are located in a fire ring surrounded by dirt, sand, or gravel. Never light fires during windy conditions. The campfire must be attended with water and tools until it is completely extinguished.

WEATHER FOR MONDAY TEMPERATURES: 75F HUMIDITY: 32% WINDS: WEST 10-15mph

ISOLATED AFTERNOON AND EVENING THUNDERSTORMS TODAY. GUSTY WINDS IN THE AFTERNOON.