Panther Fire
Location: 15 miles south of Happy Camp, Siskiyou Co., CA
Specific Location: Panther Ck, trib to Ukonom Ck, Klamath NF, Lat 41° 35´ 55″ Lon 123° 25´ 52″
Date of Origin: 07/22/2008 (reported 7/24)
Cause: lightning
Situation as of 09/09/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 38
Size: ~28,500 acres (it is impossible to determine because the Panther Fire has been combined with the northern portion of the Ukonom Fire. Number juggling with intent to cover up and deceive taxpayers/forest owners has gone on with the Klamath NF fire reports)
Percent Contained: 75% (despite the massive spending that has gone on, no gain in containment has been achieved for weeks)
Costs to Date: $15,644,600 alleged
Yesterday’s shock and awe was on the southern portion of the Ukonom Fire, so somebody else’s problem. No actions taken by Panther Fire crews.
***************
Situation as of 09/09/08 6:00 AM
Total Personnel: 176
Size: ~28,500 acres (it is impossible to determine because the Panther Fire has been combined with the northern portion of the Ukonom Fire. Number juggling with intent to cover up and deceive taxpayers/forest owners has gone on with the Klamath NF fire reports)
Percent Contained: 75% (despite the massive spending that has gone on, no gain in containment has been achieved for weeks)
Costs to Date: no update, est. $16 million
Extremely active fire behavior in the English Peak area of the Ukonom fire. Snowslide Creek and adjoining unnamed creek are experiencing crown fire runs to the ridge tops. Fire also progressed downslope more aggressively than anybody involved expected. It was a shock and awe day at the Panther Fire.
***************
Situation as of 09/07/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 214
Size: ~28,000 acres (it is impossible to determine because the Panther Fire has been combined with the northern portion of the Ukonom Fire. A whole lot of number juggling has gone on with the Klamath NF fire reports)
Percent Contained: 75% (despite the massive spending that has gone on, no gain in containment has been achieved for weeks)
Costs to Date: $15,520,368 (allegedly; these numbers have been seriously juggled, too)
The fire continues to back and flank out of some larger runs that developed yesterday. Almost all of the fire activity is in timber fuels [aka forest] with occasional torching and group torching when flanking fire is capable of making uphill runs. The main fire activity is between Yellow Jacket Ridge and English Peak and between Ukonom Lake and Bridge Creek.
Nearly two months of this fire and it is still killing forest, still uncontained, still costing hundreds of thousands of dollars a day.
The Panther Fire is a travesty. Klamath NF Supervisor Patricia Grantham is perhaps the WORST Forest Supervisor in the nation. She certainly has destroyed more forest and wasted more tax dollars in her short unhappy term than anyone in history.
***************
Situation as of 09/03/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 214
Size: 24,954 acres (no update)
Percent Contained: 75%
Costs to Date: $15,189,492
Fire behavior increased today with larger areas of backing fire and increased torching. Most of the fire activity was still a backing fire in timber fuels with the fire creeping through down and dead heavies in areas with sparse fuels. Most of the fire activity is in the area from Ukonom Lake to Bridge Creek and the area north of Yellow Jacket Ridge.
***************
Situation as of 08/31/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 156
Size: 24,954 acres (no update)
Percent Contained: 75%
Costs to Date: $15,037,553
Personnel on the Klamath Theater continued to re-evaluate management action points for a more flexible and cost efficient long term plan analysis for utilizing the WFDSS as the “test” pilot on the Klamath National Forest. The workforce has been organized into groups that provide manuverability to meet both the suppression and repair missions within the Theater. Division organizations are still active in geographic/operational assignments.
Cooler weather helped to moderate fire behavior. The fire continued to back slowly in timber fuels with minimal torching. The fire continued to slowly creep through acreas with discontinuous fuels. Most of the fire activity is between Ukonom Lake and Wooley Creek, with another area north of Yellow Jacket Ridge.
Note: the “Theater of War” metaphore is revolting. The very idea that the Klamath NF is “testing” megafire as a management tool is also revolting. Illegal incineration of national forests is the worst and most destructive plan in the history of the USFS. -Ed
***************
Situation as of 08/28/08 6:30 PM
Total Personnel: 188
Size: 24,954 acres (no update)
Percent Contained: 75%
Costs to Date: not reported, est. $15.3 million
Red Flag Warning remains in effect until 11AM Friday.
Achieved containment strategy for the non-wilderness portion of the fire 8/28. Will continue to monitor and confine the fire within the Marble Mountain Wilderness. Minimal action is being taken within the wilderness. Replacement crews are arriving.
***************
Situation as of 08/27/08 7:30 PM
Total Personnel: 88
Size: 24,954 acres (no update)
Percent Contained: 75%
Costs to Date: not reported, est. $15 million
Preparing for Fire Weather Watch (gusty winds and low RH) from 2300 hours tonight through 1100 hours August 29. Heat intensity concentrated northwest of Secret Lake near Onemile Creek and Flems Fork on the Panther Fire.
***************
Situation as of 08/24/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 176
Size: 24,954 acres
Percent Contained: 75%
Costs to Date: $14,597,300
***************
Situation as of 08/23/08 6:00 AM
Total Personnel: 172
Size: 24,848 acres
Percent Contained: 75%
Costs to Date: $14,435,958
Crew was inserted into the wilderness (Div L) and began construction on segment of line south of Ukonom Lake to check eastward fire progression.
First they are in, then they are out, and now they are in again. They are suppressing, then not suppressing, then suppressing again. How did the fire get to wilderness anyway? It wasn’t in the wilderness when it started. But now, a month later, the fire has consumed 25,000 acres (39 sq miles) and it is in the wilderness. Now they suppress? Or not? Which is it? What in the Sam Hill are those wild and crazy government functionaries up to today? Would you buy a used car from these folks? Do you want them managing your watershed?
***************
Situation as of 08/22/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 172
Size: 24,848 acres
Percent Contained: 75%
Costs to Date: $14,435,958
Minimal suppression action is being taken in the wilderness area.
***************
Situation as of 08/21/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 175
Size: 24,756 acres (not updated)
Percent Contained: 75%
Costs to Date: $14,059,834
Fire continues to spread east into the Marble Mountain Wilderness area. A crew has been “inserted” into wilderness to construct a short segment of line utilizing MIST tactics.
***************
Situation as of 08/19/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 211
Size: 24,756 acres
Percent Contained: 75%
Costs to Date: $13,710,425
Fire continues to spread east into the Marble Mountain Wilderness area. No suppression action is being taken.
***************
Situation as of 08/18/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 256
Size: 24,414 acres
Percent Contained: 75%
Costs to Date: $13,508,000
Fire continues to spread east into the Marble Mountain Wilderness area. No suppression action is being taken.
***************
Situation as of 08/17/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: not reported
Size: 23,589 acres
Percent Contained: 73%
Costs to Date: $13,143,604
Active surface fire with short runs in the wilderness area. Interior burning with isolated torching elsewhere. Fire continues to spread east into the Marble Mountain Wilderness. No suppression action is being taken on fire within the wilderness area.
Responsible official: Klamath NF Forest Supervisor Patricia Grantham
Phone Number: (530) 842-6131
***************
Situation as of 08/16/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 451
Size: 23,589 acres
Percent Contained: 70%
Costs to Date: $12,783,500
Firefighter fatalities to date: 1
Fire continues to move east into the Marble Mountain Wilderness area.
Responsible official: Klamath NF Forest Supervisor Patricia Grantham
Phone Number: (530) 842-6131
***************
Situation as of 08/15/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 479
Size: 23,214 acres
Percent Contained: 60%
Costs to Date: $12,357,000
Harvey’s IMT2 will assume command of the Ukonom fire north of Wolley Creek tomorrow morning at 0700.
Test fire started in Div G for proposed burnout of small interior island between 14N22 road and cat line. Burnout will increase line depth on south side of the fire.
Suppression action is not being taken on portion of the fire within the Marble Mountian Wilderness area.
***************
Situation as of 08/14/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 555
Size: 22,778 acres
Percent Contained: 50%
Costs to Date: $11,582,600
Crews continue to make good progress improving line, holding and moping up. Burnout initiated in Div K and will continue tomorrow if conditions permit.
***************
Situation as of 08/13/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 601
Size: 22,385 acres
Percent Contained: 45%
Costs to Date: $11,082,000
Highway 96 opened to two-way traffic. Burnout in Div J completed securing NW corner of fire.
***************
Situation as of 08/12/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 660
Size: 21,663 acres
Percent Contained: 41%
Costs to Date: $10,500,000
Highway 96 remains impacted with one way traffic control and piloting from Dillon Creek to Ti Bar.
Fire activity increased in Coon Creek drainage. Harvey’s Type 2 IMT assumed command at 0600. Burnout in the Titus Gap area completed.
***************
Situation as of 08/11/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 864
Size: 21,018 acres
Percent Contained: 33%
Costs to Date: $9,500,000
Acreage in previous 209’s based on infrared interpretation of burned acreage. Acreage reduction due to more accurate GIS calculations. East Great Basin IMT continues to shadow and assumes to take command at 0600 tomorrow.
***************
Situation as of 08/10/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 793
Size: 21,802 acres
Percent Contained: 28%
Costs to Date: $8,800,000
Highway 96 has been impacted with one way traffic control and piloting. Traffic control in place from Dillon Creek to Ti Bar.
The fire progressed east to Ukonom Lake. Single and group tree torching. Crews initiated direct attack on the slop over in Division K with helicopter support.
***************
Situation as of 08/09/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 747
Size: 18,197 acres
Percent Contained: 23%
Costs to Date: $8,100,000
Hwy 96 has been impacted with lane closure down to one lane. Traffic control in place from Dillon Creek to TiBar. Burning operation to be completed by 10pm ending at Hwy 96 along the Klamath River.
***************
Situation as of 08/08/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 751
Size: 14,402 acres
Percent Contained: 14%
Costs to Date: $7,500,000
Fire crossed into headwaters of Bishop Creek. Rolling rocks into the Klamath River forced closure to recreational river rafters.
Crews are working to limit spread into Elk Creek Watershed and are building a second contingency line to keep from fire from impacting Hwy 96.
***************
Situation as of 08/07/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 751
Size: 12,659 acres
Percent Contained: 14%
Costs to Date: $6,800,000
Successful firing operations today on 14N22 and the hand line toward the Klamath River.
***************
Situation as of 08/06/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 762
Size: 11,022 acres
Percent Contained: 9%
Costs to Date: $6,200,000
Fire was active today on the north side crossing Coon Hollow and the west side toward the Klamath River. Firing operations were also successful today on Ukonom Mountain and south of Ten Bear Mountain along 13N01.
***************
Situation as of 08/05/08 6:00 AM
Total Personnel: 794
Size: 9,806 acres
Percent Contained: 8%
Costs to Date: $4,800,000
Completed firing 3/4 mile on southern perimeter.
RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO MIDNIGHT PDT TONIGHT FOR THUNDERSTORMS WITH LITTLE RAIN
***************
Situation as of 08/03/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 807
Size: 8,002 acres
Percent Contained: 5%
Costs to Date: $4,100,000
The fire made strong movement on the S end of the fire in McCash Creek. Otherwise, higher humidities moderated fire behavior limited the opportunity to initiate firing operations today.
***************
Situation as of 08/02/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 782
Size: 7,115 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Costs to Date: $3,200,000
Fire moved upslope toward Ukonom Mountain Lookout triggering Management Action Point that required initiating firing operation from the lookout to Lick Creek. Firing operation also started on the North side of fire from the Marble Mountain Wilderness Boundary to DP 30-6.
***************
Situation as of 08/01/08 6:00 AM
Total Personnel: 706
Size: 6,232 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Costs to Date: $2,100,000
A remembrance service for Chief Daniel Packer was held at 1900 hours.
Fire crossed Ukonom Creek this afternoon and is moving toward the Ukonom Mountain Lookout. Completed line construction above Independence Creek on 15N17Y and continued line preparation on the south end near Ukonom Mountain and Ten Bear Mountain.
***************
Situation as of 07/31/08 6:00 AM
Total Personnel: 608
Size: 5,338 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Costs to Date: $1,400,000
***************
Situation as of 07/30/08 6:00 AM
Total Personnel: 356
Size: 4,099 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Costs to Date: $675,000
Continued coordination with the IMT managing the Ukonom and Siskiyou Complex Fires. Continued to support the Serious Accident Investigation Team.
***************
Situation as of 07/29/08 6:00 AM
Total Personnel: 356
Size: 2,056 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
CIIMT 1 (McGowan) transition complete with ICP located in Happy Camp. Coordination with the IMT managing the Ukonom and Siskiyou Complex Fires. Supporting the Serious Accident Investigation Team.
***************
Situation as of 07/28/08 6:00 AM
Total Personnel: 6
Size: 650 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Fire spread being monitored
***************
Situation as of 07/27/08 11:00 PM
Total Personnel: not reported
Size: 554 acres
Percent Contained: 25%
Firefighter fatality confirmed as Daniel Packer, chief of East Pierce Fire & Rescue and past president of the Washington Fire Chiefs. He was overrun by the fire when the wind shifted unexpectedly.
Type 1 IMT (Dietrich) assumed command of Panther Fire at 0600 today. Tentative transfer of Command to Type 1 IMT (McGowan) 07/29/2008 at 0600. Coordination with Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office, Serious Accident Investigation Team Support.
Steep terrain, rolling material, snags from ‘87 King Titus Fire, active fire movement with downhill progress driven by rolling material, large standing snags actively burning.
Update: firecrews have been pulled off the Panther Fire because of the impact the loss of Daniel Packer has had mentally and emotionally on his fellow firefighters.
***************
Firefighter fatality
An unidentified firefighter died Saturday 7/26 while working on the Panther Fire south of Happy Camp on the Klamath National Forest in northern California. There has been no official release of the person’s name at this time.
This follows the death of Andrew Palmer, a National Park Service firefighter who died on Friday, struck by a falling tree, and Robert Roland, a volunteer with the Anderson Valley Fire Department who collapsed on the fireline due to a heart attack on July 3 and died a few hours later. - from Wildfire Today [here]
Situation as of 07/25/08 4:00 PM
Total Personnel: 124
Size: 180 acres
Percent Contained: 25%
Direct attack, building handline and utilizing air support. Unlike the Ukonom Complex (32,266 acs last report) and the Siskiyou Complex Fires (54,657 acs last report), USFS managers decide to fight the Panther Fire. Expected containment date is next Friday but may be achieved much sooner.
No costs were reported but they are expected to be less than $1 million when this fire is out. In contrast, the Let It Burn fires in the same area have cost taxpayers over $40 million to date. Resources damages from the Let It Burn fires are roughly ten times that amount.
