Twitchell Canyon WFU Fire
Location: ~7 mi E of Manderfield, Beaver Co. UT
Specific Location: near Manderfield Reservoir, Fishlake NF, Lat 38° 25´ 31″ Lon 112° 29´ 57″
Date of Origin: 07/20/2010
Cause: Lightning
Situation as of 10/05/2010 6:00 pm
Personnel: 206
Size: 44,874 acres
Percent Contained: 76%
Costs to Date: $17,363,000
Reduction in acreage due to more accurate mapping.
Demobilization of Base Camp, crews, and miscellaneous overhead due to weather, with plan to return when weather allows for operations to proceed.
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Situation as of 10/04/2010 6:00 pm
Personnel: 333
Size: 45,216 acres
Percent Contained: 76%
Costs to Date: $17,004,000
Crews were pulled from the fire due to adverse weather. A fire suppression damage repair plan is in development.
Boise NIMO assumed command at 0600 on 10/4.
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Situation as of 10/03/2010 6:00 pm
Personnel: 478
Size: 45,126 acres
Percent Contained: 65%
Costs to Date: $16,500,000
The interstates are currently open however the potential for further closures exists with reassessments ongoing. Power corridor that parallels the interstate remains de-energized. The fire is currently active on the southern and western flanks. Resources are constructing direct line in DIV F and DIV D with the intention of checking fire spread.
Gage’s NIMO team has transitioned with Whalen’s team and will assume command on 10/4/10 @ 06:00.
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Situation as of 10/02/2010 6:00 pm
Personnel: 530
Size: 44,966 acres
Percent Contained: 65%
Costs to Date: $16,025,257
Fire continues to creep down North Creek, Wildcat and Pine Creek drainages and toward I-15. Resources are constructing direct line in DIV F and DIV D with the intention of checking fire spread. Fire line in DIV D is expected to be completed by Monday morning 10-04-10. A structure protection plan for Beaver has been completed.
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Situation as of 09/29/2010 6:00 pm
Personnel: 433
Size: 42,427 acres
Percent Contained: 28%
Costs to Date: $13,583,000
Last night the fire exhibited extreme fire behavior with sustained crown runs late into the evening pushing south into the North Creek drainage with very poor humidity recoveries. Fire continues to to back down North Creek drainage and toward I-15.
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Situation as of 09/28/2010 6:00 pm
Personnel: 527
Size: 40,463 acres
Percent Contained: 28%
Costs to Date: $13,075,500
Burnouts planned. The interstates are currently open however the potential for further closures exists with reassessments ongoing. Power corridor that parallels the interstate remains threatened and is de-energized.
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Situation as of 09/27/2010 6:00 pm
Personnel: 520
Size: 39,883 acres
Percent Contained: 25%
Costs to Date: $12,940,000 (no update)
Burnouts planned.
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Situation as of 09/26/2010 6:00 pm
Personnel: 538
Size: 39,073 acres
Percent Contained: 25%
Costs to Date: $12,940,000
Fire continues to creep toward I-15. The interstates are currently open however the potential for further closures exists with reassessments ongoing. Power corridor that parallels the interstate remains threatened and power is off. The fire is currently active on the southern and western flank. Multiple divisions continue to be staffed with necessary resources however the current focus is holding the fire spread south of I-70. Resources are currently assessing and constructing direct and indirect line in DIV V with the intention of slowing and checking the fire spread.
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Situation as of 09/22/2010 6:00 pm
Personnel: 548
Size: 38,644 acres
Percent Contained: 15%
Costs to Date: $10,172,000
Another 5,000 acres “scenically” destroyed yesterday.
Private land now incinerated. Acreage amount not reported.
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Situation as of 09/21/2010 6:00 pm
Personnel: 571
Size: 33,687 acres
Percent Contained: 15%
Costs to Date: $9,877,267 (no update)
Transition to Great Basin IMT (Whalen).
Number of firefighter injuries not reported by GACC but there have been many. No firefighter fatalities yet, though.
Private land now incinerated. Acreage amount not reported.
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Situation as of 09/20/2010 5:30 pm
Personnel: 520
Size: 33,071 acres
Percent Contained: 15%
Costs to Date: $9,877,267
All fire resources were outstanding in holding the fire to the south side of I-70 while also containing numerous spot fires north of the interstate. Tushar Mountain WFM was also instrumental in containing and suppressing a large spot fire in DIV H. Fire continues to flank to the west while surging with short runs north towards I-70. I-70 currently is open to east and west bound traffic however the potential for additional closures exist with reassessments ongoing. Power corridor that parallels the interstate remains threatened and power is off. Fire on eastern edge of southern flank is extremely active at this time and exhibiting extreme fire behavior. Multiple divisions continue to be staffed with necessary resources however the current focus is holding the fire spread to the south of I-70. Resources completed direct and indirect line construction in DIV A and D with the intention of slowing and checking fire spread towards private property to the west.
Great Basin IMT2 (Whalen) have arrived at the incident and will spend the afternoon shadowing current IMT. Great Basin IMT2 Ourada will transition with Great Basin IMT2 Whalen at 0600 hours on Tuesday the 21st of September, 2010.
Extremely dry fuels conditions, ERC’s hovering around historical highs and ongoing Red Flag Warnings are creating critical and even volatile fire behavior potential. Observed fire behavior: Fire was active through the night with group tree torching and short uphill runs. Extreme fire behavior with sustained wind driven crown fire through in conifer fuel types. Rapid rates of spread with flame lengths of over 200 feet and frequent 1/2 mile spotting ahead of fire head.
Resources will work in conjunction with aircraft to contain fire spread to the south of I-70. Protection of private property remains the focus with an emphasis being place upon firefighter and public safety. Direct and indirect line tactics will be utilized. Assessment of the situation is ongoing. Remaining divisions will be appropriately staffed with efforts being placed to holding existing lines and monitoring. All fire resources are informed and cognizant of the IMT2 transition occurring prior to tomorrow’s shift.
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Situation as of 09/19/2010 6:30 pm
Personnel: 485
Size: 30,000 acres
Percent Contained: 15%
Costs to Date: $8,513,107
Kaboom. Blow up to 30,000 acres.
Fire made a significant runs to I-70 resulting in a closure which has resulted in a closure of both east and west bound lanes. Power corridor that parallels the interstate is also threatened and power has been shut off. Resources are actively working on holding the fire south of the interstate along with picking up any spots occurring north of the interstate. Intelligence gathering and dissemination is ongoing. Secondary contingency line is being constructed in DIV A and DIV D. Multiple divisions continue to be staffed with necessary resources however the current focus is holding the fire spread south of the interstate.
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Situation as of 09/18/2010 4:45 pm
Personnel: 505
Size: 22,788 acres
Percent Contained: 25%
Costs to Date: $8,050,768
Note: For the first time in two months, the IMT is reporting something other than 0% containment. After $8 million had been spent deliberately NOT containing the fire, deliberately letting it burn uncontained until it grew to over 20,000 acres in size, the Powers That Be decided maybe they should do some actual firefighting. And in one day they achieved 25% containment.
Red Flag Warning for high winds.
On-site resources are working to limit fire spread while prepping for forecasted Red Flag Warning and Fire Weather Watch. Secondary contingency line is being constructed in DIV A and DIV D.
“Bonneville Cutthroat Trout”, shown in block 27 of the 209, reflects a “genetically unique strand” of trout found in streams North of I-70. The protection of this trout is identified as an Incident Requirement in the WFDSS and was activated on 09/16/2010.
Note: they didn’t give a crap about Bonneville trout while they were incinerating the watershed for two months. The only reason it is brought up now is to hamper fire containment. That’s right. The trout is a tool used by holocausters to monkey wrench firefighting, to endanger firefighters, and to perpetrate even more watershed destruction.
These are the same folks who have been pushing Let It Burn for the cockamamie “Scenic Vegetation Mosaic Effect”.
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Situation as of 09/17/2010 5:00 pm
Personnel: 383
Size: 22,200 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Costs to Date: $7,357,616
Structures Threatened: 28 PRIM , 35 OUTB
Structures Destroyed: 2 historical cabins
Red Flag Warning for high winds.
Continuing burnout operations in Fish Creek along the I-70 Corridor. Aerial resources working to control fire spread in Mill Creek Canyon. Resources will begin indirect line construction in DIV D with the intention of slowing and checking fire spread towards private property.
Historical highs ERC’s were broken over the fire area again today. Currently above the 90 % percentile and tied with the historic max for this date and time.
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Situation as of 09/16/2010 5:00 pm
Personnel: 319
Size: 21,738 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Costs to Date: $6,447,627
Reestablished heli-well in Cove Fort. DIV R will be conducting burning operations in Fish Creek along the I-70 Corridor. On-site resources are working to limit fire spread while prepping for forecasted Red Flag Warning and Fire Weather Watch.
Historical highs ERC’s were broken over the fire area again today.
Direct line tactics are being implemented in Twitchell Canyon with support of aerial resources.
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Situation as of 09/15/2010 5:30 pm
Personnel: 201
Size: 20,870 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Costs to Date: $6,013,158
Voluntarily evacuation of Castle Rock Campground is in place. Great Basin IMT2 will no longer transition the fire back to the local unit.Voluntarily evacuation of Castle Rock Campground is in place. Great Basin IMT2 will no longer transition the fire back to the local unit.
Historical highs ERC’s were broken over the fire area today. Currently above the 80% percentile and within 3 points of the 90% percentile.
Note: The Energy Release Component is a number related to the available energy (BTU) per unit area (square foot) within the flaming front at the head of a fire. ERC is an NFDRS (National Fire Danger Rating System) index related to how hot a fire. This fire is burning VERY HOT. It is not a lazy or light “mosaic” burn. It is total incineration. Nothing is left alive.
Implement contingency, work to control fire spread in Mill Creek Canyon, develop contingency plan for protecting I-70 Corridor. Work aircraft in conjunction with crews to contain spot fires.
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Situation as of 09/15/2010 8:00 am
Personnel: 86 (that was what was reported!)
Size: 17,891 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Costs to Date: $5,767,345 (no update)
Overall, extreme fire behavior observed over entire fire area. Rapid rates of spread, flame lengths observed of over 200 feet, 1/2 mile spotting with large ash landing over five miles northeast of fire area.
Fire made significant runs and exhibited extreme fire behavior. Fire moved in high rates of spread to the north and is currently posing significant threats to a Power Corridor parallelling I-70 and to I-70 itself. IMT overhead along with local resources are currently gathering intel and discussing strategy and tactics. Mobilization of desired resources are critical to success.
The fire is being managed for multiple objectives, which included providing for the safety of the public and firefighters, to increase structural diversity in forest and shrubland ecosystems through use of fire, reducing fuels in a mosaic pattern to effectively manage future fires, and to manage the fire for a scenic vegetation mosaic effect in the Manderfield Reservoir viewshed.
Note: all of the above is direct copy and paste.
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Situation as of 09/13/2010 5:30 pm
Personnel: 161
Size: 11,293 acres
Percent Contained: 25%
Costs to Date: $5,767,345
Predominately creeping and smoldering throughout the majority of the fire area with the exception of; Ground fire in heavy down and dead fuels in Line and Trail Canyons resulting in group tree torching and short range crown runs with medium range spotting. Backing fire on the western flank in Twitchell Canyon. Backing fire with isolated group torching, short uphill runs and short range spotting on the fires southern heel in Indian Canyon.
3-IHC’s are currently available and would be demobed at 07:00 on September 14th, 2010. 1-IHC has been reassigned to a wildland fire in Nevada. 1-T1 and the T2 Helicopter have been released. Air attack platform has been released and are available in Cedar City. Great Basin T2IMT will transition with the local unit at 06:00 hours on September 15th, 2010. Area Closure is still signed and in effect. Some miscellaneous overhead have been demobed.
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Situation as of 09/11/2010 5:30 pm
Personnel: 308
Size: 10,925 acres
Percent Contained: 10%
Costs to Date: $5,690,250
Crews along with aerial resources completed direct and indirect holding line in support of Management Action Point 22. In support of Mangagement Action Point’s 8 and 22, crews continue to construct and improve indirect contingency lines. Crews completed constructing indirect contingency lines in support of Management Action Point 11. Crews continue progress containing spot fires utilizing direct attack tactics along with aerial resources.
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Situation as of 09/09/2010 6:30 pm
Personnel: 266
Size: 10,871 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Costs to Date: $4,842,309
Another 260 acres burned yesterday. Additional 41 firefighters deployed. Uutilizing direct attack tactics along with aerial resources. Crews continue to construct indirect line on the fire’s W flank.
Area closure is still signed and in effect.
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Situation as of 09/07/2010 6:30 pm
Personnel: 215
Size: 10,608 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Costs to Date: $3,979,609
Another 1,840 acres burned yesterday. Additional 17 firefighters deployed. Now utilizing direct attack tactics along with aerial resources.
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Situation as of 09/06/2010 6:30 pm
Personnel: 198
Size: 8,870 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Costs to Date: $3,600,000
Another 1,900 acres burned yesterday. Additional 45 firefighters deployed. Building firelines, finally, after a month and a half of Let It Burn. This fire could have been extinguished at less than 1,000 acres for less than $100,000, but oh no, the US Forest Service determined that Let It Burn was the best course of action. Now look at the disaster and expense!
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Situation as of 09/05/2010 7:20 pm
Personnel: 151
Size: 7,000 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Costs to Date: $3,200,000
Another 1,600 acres burned yesterday. Additional 26 firefighters deployed.
Evacuated Kimberly Mining District. Transition to Ourada’s Type 2 IMT will occur tomorrow morning.
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Situation as of 09/04/2010 6:45 pm
Personnel: 127
Size: 5,400 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Costs to Date: $3,090,374
Another 700 acres burned. Additional 14 firefighters deployed.
Historic structure destroyed. Wind and terrain driven surface fire and sustained crown with associated short range spotting.
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Situation as of 09/01/2010 7:00 pm
Personnel: 113
Size: 4,700 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Costs to Date: $2,666,554
Another 50 acres burned. Additional 20 firefighters deployed.
1 new injury today - crewmember tripped and fell. Individual walked off the line and was transported to the Sevier Valley Hospital to be checked out.
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Situation as of 08/31/2010 9:00 pm
Personnel: 92
Size: 4,657 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Costs to Date: $2,548,000
Another 100 acres burned. Additional 60 firefighters deployed.
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Situation as of 08/30/2010 9:00 pm
Personnel: 33
Size: 4,550 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Costs to Date: $2,468,000
Fire now established on the east side of Fish Creek.
New mission: protect the Manderfield view shed utilizing hand ignition as necessary [sic]. It’s not enough to Let It Burn. Now deliberate ignition is underway to “protect the viewshed” or a viewed shed or something else as nutty as a fruitcake.
Burn, baby, burn. For all the wrong reasons.
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Situation as of 08/26/2010 12:00 pm
Personnel: 20
Size: 4,508 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Costs to Date: $2,448,000
Fire Module to continue monitoring and collecting data in the fish creek drainage. Engine module to monitor fire activity and keep its presents in the indian creek drainage. [sic]
Note: How do you like $millions spent on not fighting fires as performed by people who can barely read or write?
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Situation as of 08/21/2010 6:40 pm
Personnel: 119
Size: 4,482 acres (no update)
Percent Contained: 0%
Costs to Date: $2,434,250
Wildland fire module to gather fire and weather related data.
Note: WTF for? What good is having children “gather data” on a Let It Burn wildfire? Will the data be examined and /or archived? By whom and for what purpose? GD useless busywork on a Let It Burn holocaust is surreal. What planet do these people live on?
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Situation as of 08/20/2010 8:00 pm
Personnel: 145
Size: 4,482 acres (no update)
Percent Contained: 0%
Costs to Date: $2,228,210
Handline construction in the Fish Creek drainage, assessing locations for hoselays for structure protection, waterbarring handline.
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Situation as of 08/18/2010 8:00 pm
Personnel: 243
Size: 4,482 acres (no update)
Percent Contained: 0%
Costs to Date: $1,773,409
Historic register properties now at risk.
Million-dollar fire still being un-managed for unspecified multiple objectives, such as watershed incineration, public endangerment, government functionary overtime, historic cabin demolition, looming disaster.
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Situation as of 08/17/2010 8:00 pm
Personnel: 204
Size: 4,482 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Costs to Date: $1,065,516
Began implementation of contingency line adjacent to historic mining district.
Million-dollar fire still being un-managed for unspecified multiple objectives, such as watershed incineration, public endangerment, government functionary overtime, looming disaster.
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Situation as of 08/16/2010 8:30 pm
Personnel: 177
Size: 4,482 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Costs to Date: $739,637
After jerking around for 3 weeks, allowing the fire to grow and grow (ostensibly for unnamed resource “benefits”), hundreds of firefighters have been called out to prevent the now conflagration from spreading onto private land. The watershed of the Manderfield Reservoir has been fried and denuded, with serious erosion expected next winter. Before it is finished, over a million dollars will have been spent on a fire that could have been contained for a pittance. Fishlake National Forest Supervisor Allen Rowley is responsible. His pay should be docked for the cost of this fire and the damages that have and will ensue.
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Situation as of 08/14/2010 8:00 pm
Personnel: 28
Size: 4,128 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Prepeing to transition to a Type 3 Team. Transistion to Type 3 IMT. Continue to monitor incednet and develop protection plan. Prep grassy dreek road for potential burnout operation. [sic]
Note: watershed damages occurring. Morons in charge.
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Situation as of 08/12/2010 3:20 pm
Personnel: 26
Size: 3,000 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Fire moving E towards Fish Creek.
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Situation as of 08/10/2010 3:00 pm
Personnel: 37
Size: 1,120 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Still burning. Watershed degradation taking place.
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Situation as of 08/05/2010 2:30 pm
Personnel: 37
Size: 825 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Still burning.
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Situation as of 07/25/2010 6:30 pm
Personnel: 88
Size: 560 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Deliberate burnout operations around Manderfield Reservoir, ostensibly to “provide benefits to forest resources”, which apparently includes polluting the reservoir.
Big money long-term Let It Burn Plan being written, without any semblance of a NEPA process. Torch, torch, torch the public estate.
by YPmule
Fire progression map.
http://tinyurl.com/3xe59fx