SHU/Shasta Trinity Lightning Complex Fires
Location: E of Redding, Shasta Co., CA
Date of Origin: 06/21/08
Cause: Lightning
Situation as of 07/27/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 315
Size: 86,500 acres
Percent Contained: 100%
Costs to Date: $56,171,112
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Situation as of 07/27/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 315
Size: 86,500 acres
Percent Contained: 100%
Costs to Date: $55,700,000
The Motion Fire continues to burn in pockets within established control lines. All flanks are holding. Assigned resources are in mop up and patrol mode on both fires. Backhaul of equipment and trash continues. All evacuations or closures on this incident have been lifted.
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Situation as of 07/25/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 820
Size: 86,500 acres
Percent Contained: 100%
Costs to Date: $54,100,000
All evacuations or closures on this incident have been lifted.
The Motion Fire experienced small burns in pockets within established control lines. All flanks are completely tied in and holding. Assigned resources are in mop up and patrol mode on both fires. Backhaul of equipment and trash continues. Demobilization of resources will continue today.
This Complex consisted of approximately 158 fires, 114 contained with 1 active. Number of fires that have merged with adjacent fires is 43. Corrected acres: Motion Fire, 28,336 acres, 100% contained. Deer Lick Fire, 12,701 acres, 100% contained. Moon Fire, 29,031 acres, 100% contained, with no fire activity seen during this reporting period. Acreage of other suppressed fires within the SHU Complex is 16,153.
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Situation as of 07/23/08 6:00 AM
Total Personnel: 767
Size: 86,500 acres
Percent Contained: 95%
Costs to Date: $52,800,000
Est containment date 07/25/2008
All evacuations or closures on this incident have been lifted. Motion Fire with small burns in pockets well within established control lines. All flanks are completely tied in and holding well. Assigned resources are in mop up and patrol mode on both Motion and Moon fires. Demobilization of surplus resources is continuing.
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Situation as of 07/20/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 1,706
Size: 86,500 acres
Percent Contained: 90%
Costs to Date: $49,300,000
Est containment date has been adjusted to 07/25/2008
Motion Fire, 28,336 acres, 90% contained.
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Situation as of 07/19/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 2,039
Size: 84,988 acres
Percent Contained: 75%
Costs to Date: $48,100,000
Est containment date: 07/21/2008
Structures Destroyed: 6 residences, 16 outbuildings
The Motion Fire (26,824 acres, 75% contained) continues to burn in established control lines that were blackened in by firing operations. Direct attack tactics are being implemented for the N and NE flanks.
The Moon Fire (29,031 acres, 95% contained) with no fire activity seen during this reporting period.
Demobilization of surplus resources is planned for tomorrow.
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Situation as of 07/18/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 2,618
Size: 84,988 acres
Percent Contained: 65%
Costs to Date: $45,700,000
Est containment date: 07/25/2008
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Situation as of 07/17/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 2,608
Size: 83,248 acres
Percent Contained: 55%
Costs to Date: $43,500,000
Highway 299 continues to be open without restrictions. The Motion fire’s mandatory evacuation areas have been lifted completely. A hard closure does remain in place for Whiskey Creek Road and Highway 299.
The Motion Fire (25,061 acres, 55% contained) continues to move to the northwest towards established control lines that are being blackened in by firing operations. Some interior portions are burning to the northeast, still within containment lines. A change in strategy, employing direct attack tactics is being developed for the north and northeast flanks of the Motion fire.
Resources are in mop up and patrol mode on the Moon Fire (29,031 acres, 95% contained, with no fire activity seen during this reporting period).
President Bush, Governor Schwarznegger and Senator Feinstein, all toured the fire area by helicopter this afternoon.
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Situation as of 07/16/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 2,779
Size: 82,536 acres
Percent Contained: 60%
Costs to Date: $41,100,000
Highway 299 continues to be open without restrictions. The Motion Fire’s mandatory evacuation areas have been reduced to advisory evacuations in the areas of Iron Mtn. Road at Rock Creek Road. A hard closure remains in place for Whiskey Creek Road and Highway 299.
The Motion Fire continues to move to the NW towards established control lines that are being blackened in by firing operations. Some interior portions are burning to the NE, still within containment lines. Preparation and improvement of containment lines continues to be a priority. Burning operations did take place as conditions permitted and were successful.
Moon fire is no longer a threat to the towns of Ono, Igo and surrounding areas, now at 29,031 acres, 95% contained, with no fire activity seen during this reporting period.
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Situation as of 07/15/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 2,678
Size: 80,957 acres
Percent Contained: 55%
Costs to Date: $36,600,000
Structures Destroyed: 5 residences, 15 outbuildings
Highway 299 has been reopened without restrictions. The Motion fire’s mandatory evacuation areas have been reduced to the areas of Benson Road and Rock Creek Road. There are currently advisory evacuations in place for the Iron Mtn. Road area, north of Rock Creek Road.
Late this afternoon, four civilians dressed in camouflage presented themselves to personnel at the Motion gel base. Two of the four have suffered serious burn injuries and are being airlifted for further medical treatment. No further details are available with law enforcement investigating.
The Motion fire continues to move to the northeast towards established control lines that are being blackened in by firing operations.
The Moon fire is no longer a threat to the towns of Ono, Igo and surrounding areas. The Moon fire containment lines continue to be completed and improved.
Equipment from the SHU Lightning Complex is being shared with the Eagle fire (Iron/Alps Complex) for structure protection in the Junction City area.
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Situation as of 07/15/08 9:00 AM
Total Personnel: 2,650?
Size: 79,375 acres
Percent Contained: 55%
The Motion fire continues to move west and northwest causing a structure threat with mandatory evacuations in place for the Rock Creek Road, Benson Road, Granite Drive (from Rock Creek to Trinity Alley) and Southfork Mtn. Drive areas. This fire has the potential for major structure loss and large growth. The Motion fire is threatening the Whiskey Creek Campground and Day Use areas along with structures scattered through the area. Reopening of Highway 299, with traffic controls in place, may continue throughout the day.
The Moon fire’s containment lines continue to hold. The towns of Ono and Igo and surrounding areas have been repopulated without restriction. Burning operations are progressing slower than anticipated due to changes in weather over the fire area. Success on the Moon fire will allow a shift of resources to the Motion fire.
This Complex has potential to become a mega fire and exceed $50 million dollars.
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Situation as of 07/13/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 2,650
Size: 77,510 acres
Percent Contained: 55%
Costs to Date: $34,400,000
The Moon Fire: 28,823 acres, 75% contained, is no longer a threat to the town of Ono, however, some mandatory evacuations remain in place for certain areas. Repopulation of some areas around the town of Ono is taking place with the assistance of Shasta Co. S. O.
The Motion Fire: 20,116 acres, 50% contained, continues to move towards established control lines that are being blackened in by firing operations. Burning operations are somewhat successful with more to continue tonight. The Motion fire also is causing mandatory evacuations to the communities of Keswick, Benson Road, Rock Creek Road, and Whiskey Creek areas.
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Situation as of 07/13/08 8:00 AM
Total Personnel: 2,199
Size: 75,901 acres
Percent Contained: 50%
Extensive evacuations, road closures, see [here]
Evacuation Center: Shasta Learning Center at 2200 Eureka Way, Redding, adjacent to Shasta High School.
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Situation as of 07/11/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 1,923
Size: 72,501 acres
Percent Contained: 45%
Costs to Date: $29,700,000
Both the Motion and Moon fires continue to move and are threatening structures and surrounding communities. The Motion fire continues to move to the west and south, with significant spotting, and has escaped initial containment lines. The Motion fire also is causing mandatory evacuations to the communities of Keswick, Benson Road, Rock Creek Road, and Whiskey Creek areas. The Moon fire continues to be a threat to the town of Ono, however containment lines are holding. The Zogg Mine Road area is under a mandatory evacuation with the Muletown Road under a precautionary evacuation.
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Situation as of 07/10/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 1,740
Size: 66,115 acres
Percent Contained: 45%
Costs to Date: $27,400,000
A Red Flag Warning remains in place for this incident until Friday (7/11) at 1200 hours. Fire behavior is considered extreme. Significant fire growth is taking place on both the Motion and Moon fires.
Both the Motion and Moon fires have escaped control lines and are threatening structures and surrounding communities. The Motion fire continues to move to the west and south, with significant spotting, causing mandatory evacuations to the communities of Keswick and the Benson Road and Rock Creek Road areas. The Motion fire threat to the public safety communications site at Southfork Mountain has been stopped. The Moon fire continues to be a direct threat to the town of Ono. The Muletown Road area is under a precautionary evacuation. Firefighters are working to protect structures and property. Evacuations are being coordinated by Shasta Co. S.O.
Motion fire, 12,015 acres, 40% contained. Deer Lick fire, 12,701 acres, 90% contained, with little fire activity inside perimeter control lines. Moon fire, 25,529 acres, 40% contained.
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Situation as of 07/09/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 1,599
Size: 56,779 acres
Percent Contained: 45%
Costs to Date: $25,600,000
Structures Destroyed: 3 residences, 7 outbuildings
A Red Flag Warning has been issued for this incident until Friday (7/11) at 1200 hours.
Both the Motion and Moon fires have escaped control lines and are threatening structures and surrounding communities. The Moon Fire made its way into the town of Ono. Firefighters are working to protect structures and property. Evacuations are being coordinated by Shasta Co. S.O.
Operational concessions have been made due to the lack of resources. All fires on the Complex are minimally staffed. Burning conditions continue to be at extreme levels.
Motion Fire, 9,208 acres, 40% contained. Deer Lick Fire, 12,701 acres, 90% contained, with little fire activity inside perimeter control lines. Moon Fire, 19,000 acres, 40% contained.
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Situation as of 07/08/08 11:00 PM
Total Personnel: 1,560?
Size: 55,277 acres
Percent Contained: 50%
The Motion fire has escaped control lines on the south, as well as continuing to move to the north/northwest. An immediate structure threat with mandatory evacuations is in place for the Iron Mountain Road, Benton Road and Keswick area. This fire has the potential for major structure loss and large growth. The Moon fire has escaped control lines in four separate areas. The towns of Ono and Igo are an immediate structure threat with evacuations in place. The Zogg Mine Road and Rainbow Lake resort area are also under a mandatory evacuation.
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Evacuations are taking place in the community of Ono in the Rainbow and Rector road areas as of 10:00 AM, 07/08/2008
Road Closures: Road closures are being implemented at Rock Creek Road and Iron Mountain Road, Rainbow and Platina Road, and Buell and Platina Road. There are no highway closures at this time.
Evacuation Center: Shasta Learning Center at 2200 Eureka Way, Redding, adjacent to Shasta High School.
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Situation as of 07/07/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 1,560
Size: 53,877 acres
Percent Contained: 65%
Costs to date: $24,100,000
Remaining uncontained fires: Motion Fire, 8,208 acres, 50% contained. Deer Lick Fire, 12,701 acres, 70% contained. Moon Fire, 17,098 acres, 60% contained.
Est containment date: 07/14/2008
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Situation as of 07/06/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 1,647
Size: 53,600 acres
Percent Contained: 65%
Costs to date: $21,400,000
The Shasta-Trinity Lightning Complex consists of 158 fires, with 112 contained and 3 still active. 43 fires have merged with adjacent fires.
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Situation as of 07/04/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 1,869
Size: 53,600 acres
Percent Contained: 48%
Costs to date: $17,900,000
Approximately 158 fires, 112 contained with 3 active. Number of fires that have merged with adjacent fires is 43. Branch V – Motion fire, 16,700 acres, 50% contained. Branch VI – Deer Lick fire, 16,800 acres, 30% contained, Lower fire, 475 acres, 100% contained. Branch VII – Moon fire, 18,600 acres, 25% contained. Line construction and preparation continue taking place on the Motion and Moon fires for ignition operations to begin on 7/5. The Martin Mars aircraft was used again extensively on the Motion fire. The Democrat fire, on Branch V, is now 100% contained. All fires in Branch I are 100% contained with units assigned in patrol status. Incident resources continue to assist SHU with new initial attack fires.
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Situation as of 07/03/08 9:00 PM
Total Personnel: 1,842
Size: 53,600 acres
Percent Contained: 48%
Costs to date: $16.2 million
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Situation as of 07/02/08 6:30 PM
Total Personnel: 1,740
Size: 53,600 acres
Percent Contained: 40%
Costs to date: $13.9 million
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Situation as of 07/01/08 5:00 PM
Total Personnel: 1,321
Size: 53,500 acres
Percent Contained: 20%
Costs to date: $11.4 million
Cooperating Agencies: CAL FIRE, US Forest Service, OES, CDCR, CHP, Shasta County Sheriff’s Department, Fish and Game, PG&E, NPS, Sierra Pacific, Cal Trans, Shasta County area fire agencies, American Red Cross, BLM, CCC, Salvation Army, Trinity County Sheriff’s Office, Anderson Fire Protection District, BIA, Shasta Op Area Fire Protection agencies. CAL FIRE Incident Command Team #10 is assigned to this incident.
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Situation as of 06/30/08 7:30 PM
Total Personnel: 1,771
Size: 51,000 acres
Percent Contained: 10%
Structures Threatened: 230 residences, 25 commercial. Structures Destroyed: 2 residences. Injuries: 6
Evacuations:
Motion Fire - South of Shasta Dam on the west side of the Sacramento River continuing south to include the north end of Iron Mountain Road, the Coram Ranch, Motion and Matheson Mine areas.
Moon Fire - Rainbow Lake Road from Platina Road west to Rainbow Lake.
Road Closures:
Zogg Mine Road from South Fork will be restricted to residents only, from South Fork road to the north end of Zogg Mine Road.
Rock Creek Road and Iron Mtn. Road, Rainbow Lake Rd. at Platina Rd. (A-16), Buell Rd. at Platina Rd. (A-16), Platina Road (A-16) closed to all through traffic.
BLM Trail Head Closures at River Trail at Keswick Dam, at Quartz Hill Rd., and at Walker Hill Rd.
Shasta-Trinity Lightning Complex consists of 158 fires, with 108 contained and 7 still active. 43 fires have merged with adjacent fires.
New fires and significant runs on existing fires continue due to low relative humidity, warm weather, topography, and lack of ground firefighting resources. Areas are burning in locations that have not burned in decades.
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Situation as of 06/30/08 7:30 AM
Total Personnel: 2,099
Size: 48,000 acres
Percent Contained: 10%
Regional power transmission facilities and critical infrastructure operated by the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) are now in imminent danger from the SHU Lightning Complex. Three major transmission lines totaling 690 KV(442 megawatts) are powered by the dam. Shasta power generation flows to California ISO and the Western Power Grid. Fire impacts to the transmission lines would potentially cause power outages to local areas, brownouts/blackouts to parts of Northern California, tax other providers to the grid and temporarily force California utilities to purchase additional power from out of state resources.
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Situation as of 06/28/08 7:00 PM
Total Personnel: 1,481
Size: 40,000 acres
Percent Contained: 10%
Costs to Date: $6,800,000
Structures Destroyed: 2 PRIM
Approximately 158 fires, 108 contained with 7 active. Number of fires that have merged with adjacent fires is 43.
Pine and Donkey Fires have merged, 1230 acres, 95% contained. Stein Fire, 667 acres, 90% and holding. Motion Fire 15,000 acres, 10% contained. Barley Fire, 1,000 acres, 5% contained, potential for 10,000+ acres. Moon Fire, 14,000 acres, 20% contained. Deerlick Fire, 15,000 acres, causing evacuations, 5% contained. Lower Fire, 375 acres, 35% contained.
CalFire assisting with structure protection in Junction City (Eagle Fire – Iron Complex, 1,200 acres). CalFire also assisting with the Platina Group, providing structure protection on the Noble Fire. The Incident Command teams for the SHU, Lime Complex and TGU staff are coordinating efforts.
Heavy smoke and inversions over the fire area are affecting aircraft use. National Guard helicopters are assisting in water dropping efforts. The Martin Mars aircraft is in the area and will be utilized as possible. Structure protection, mop up around structures, and patrol contained fires. Re-entry plans for evacuated residential areas are being developed in conjunction with law enforcement.
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Situation as of 06/27/08 8:00 PM
Total Personnel: 1,419
Size: 35,000 acres
Percent Contained: 5%
CalFire ICT #10 (Kerschen) is in command of this Complex.
Approximately 158 fires, with many being unstaffed. Branch I/II - Venture Fire, 1,500 acres, 100% contained. Pine Fire, 3,000 acres, contained by 1800 hrs.(6/27). Little Fire, 50 acres in commercial timber, 60% contained. Branch III/IV – Withrow Fire, 600 acres, 80% contained. Stein Fire, 1,200 acres, 15% and holding. Kirkman Fire, 2,500 acres, 80% contained and holding. Branch V – Motion Fire, 5,000 acres, 10% contained. Barley Fire, 1,000 acres, 5% contained. Branch VI – Brown Fire, 200+ acres, 15 structures threatened.
Shasta Dam infrastructure facilities are being threatened. Fires in Branches V and VI, west of Redding, are inaccessible and have large growth potential. Approaching weather system for the weekend will challenge control lines and potentially cause new fires.
Evacuations have been ordered at Junction City, Platina, and Corman Ranch. Precautionary evacuations are in place at Corum. Evacuations are in place for Rainbow Lake Road area due to the Deerlick and Moon Fires.
Highway 299 East has one way traffic control due to clearing of debris. Highway 36 is closed 30 miles West of Red Bluff to the junction of SR 3. At the junction of Hwy 3 & 36 traffic is allowed to travel westbound only, eastbound traffic is not allowed. County Road Closures: From Coram OHV Park to Matheson Road at Iron Mountain Road to Rock Creek Road. South of Shasta Dam. Platina Road (A-16) closed to all through traffic at Yolla Bolla / Fiddlers Road to all westbound traffic except locals who live on Bully Choop and Graves Ranch Road.
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Situation as of 06/26/08 11:00 PM
Total Personnel: 1,023?
Size: 30,000 acres
Percent Contained: 5%
Structures Threatened: 236 residences, 20 commercial properties
Shasta Dam infrastructure facilities will be threatened in the next 12-24 hours. This power generating facility is the major supplier of energy to the Central Valley Project.
Evacuation orders have been issued for the communities of Junction City, Platina, and Corman Ranch. The Eagle fire is now threatening the community of Junction City (see Iron Complex Fires [here].) For Platina news see the Noble Fire, Lime Complex Fires [here].
New fires have begun in Branches V and VI, west of Redding, which are un-staffed, inaccessible and have large growth potential.
Increased fire activity in new locations is causing control challenges in addition to structure threats. Critical region resource drawdown is resulting in numerous outstanding resource orders. Approaching weather system for the weekend will challenge control lines and potentially cause new fires.
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Situation as of 06/25/08 7:00 PM
Total Personnel: 1,023
Size: 20,000 acres
Percent Contained: 5%
Costs to Date: $2,700,000
Structures Threatened: 220 PRIM , 20 COMM Structures Destroyed: NONE
Approximately 158 fires, with 25 being unstaffed. Intelligence gathering activities have provided the following information: Branch I/II - Venture Fire, 1,500 acres, 75% contained. Pine Fire, 2,000 acres, contained by 1800 hrs. Little Fire, 50 acres in commercial timber. Branch III/IV – Withrow Fire, 500 acres, 40% contained. Stein Fire, 500 acres, 10% and holding. Kirkman Fire, 2,500 acres, 80% contained and holding. Branch V – Motion Fire, 2,000 acres, 0% contained, moving towards So.Pacific railroad. Moon Fire, 2,000 acres, 0% contained, potential for 20,000. Barkley Fire, 1,000 acres, 0% contained, potential for 10,000. Branch VI – Brown Fire, 120+ acres, 15 structures threatened.
CALFIRE ICT #10 (Kerschen) is in command of this Complex. Holding containment lines across the incident continues to be challenging due to lack of ground firefighting resources. Resource priorities: Handcrews, Type III engines, DIVS, Dozers, Type I helicopters, SOFR, FOBS, DOZB. Burning conditions are considered extreme. Fires on west side of Redding will be problematic due to access and scarce ground resources. Potential for strong winds and thunderstorms this weekend will offer significant challenges to resources across the region.
Fire behavior is considered extreme. Development of new fires as well as existing fires continues as a result of warm temperatures, low fuel moistures, and RH’s. Fuel moistures are at record low levels.
Planned Actions: Continue to identify, prioritize and allocate resources to accomplish full perimeter control using direct and indirect attack. Intelligence gathering will continue to define fire locations and perimeters. Heavy smoke in the fire area is affecting aircraft use. Structure protection, mop up around structures, and patrol contained fires.
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Situation as of 06/24/08 10:00 PM
Total Personnel: 834
Size: 12,000 acres
Percent Contained: 5%
Continued heavy resource commitment across SHU to a series of lightning caused fires across the entire unit. Evacuations remain in place for Shingletown and Burney. Increased fire activity on isolated lightning strikes is causing control challenges with structure threat. Critical region drawdown is resulting in outstanding resource orders. IR flight is critical to success of the incident. New fires on west of Redding are unstaffed and have large growth potential.
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Situation as of 06/23/08 7:00 PM
Total Personnel: 537
Size: 7,000 acres
Percent Contained: 5%
Costs to Date: $970,000
Structures Threatened: 180 PRIM , 20 COMM Structures Destroyed: NONE
Approximately 153 fires, about 25 unstaffed. Shingletown fire at 455 acres with evacuations in place. Donkey fire at 360 acres with potential evacuations for Oak Run and Round Mountain. Democrat fire at 360 acres with structures threatened in the communities of Shasta and Keswick. Kirkman fire at 1500 acres. Pine fire at 750 acres with likely impact to HWY 299 East within 12 hours. Venture fire, East of Burney, at 1000 acres, structures threatened, evacuations in place, power transmission lines threatened and HWY 299 closed in the area.
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Situation as of 06/22/08 7:00 PM
Total Personnel: 307
Size: 1,250 acres
Percent Contained: 5%
130 known fires with approximately 34 of them unstaffed. New Fires continue to pop-up and existing fires have started to grow. Evacuation in progress for the Shingletown area.
