Onion, Klamath NF. Fifteen miles southeast of Cecilville, CA. Timber litter. Minimal fire activity.
September 6, 2011 at 6:41 AM
The Onion Fire, burning ten miles east of Cecilville, California, on the Klamath National Forest within the Trinity Alps Wilderness, reached 560 acres in size today and is holding within established containment lines. The fire, which was started by a lightning strike on August 19, grew at a slow pace until late last week when a warmer and drier weather pattern settled over the area and accelerated fire activity.
"When fires are ignited by lightning in Wilderness, we look for opportunities to allow burning to play its natural role in the ecosystem," commented Kerry Greene, information officer for the Onion Fire. "Natural fire reduces hazardous fuels buildup and improves forest health when weather and burning conditions are right."
The initial plan for the Onion Fire was to allow it to treat up to approximately 2500 acres of wilderness lands, containing it within constructed fire lines and existing natural barriers, such as ridgelines, rocky areas, wet creeks and areas burned previously in 2006 and 2008. That plan was based on fire projections showing the burn continuing to move slowly across cooler, moister slopes early in the month, crossing to hotter, drier areas at the end of September when weather was expected to cool and burning conditions to become more moderate.
"It would have been great to have treated more acres to reduce hazardous fuels, but burning conditions changed," said Greene. "A warmer and drier weather pattern settled in over the area and caused the fire to grow more quickly than would work with that goal. If we had let the fire grow to the 2500 acre size under those conditions, it would have burned too hot on south facing slopes and left the area with severe fire damage. At the beginning of the fire, we developed a number of potential strategies just in case conditions changed, and when they did, we were ready."
Fire suppression strategies are based on many factors, including risks to public and firefighter safety, type and condition of fuels, weather, land management objectives, values to protect, and available firefighting assets.
The Onion Fire has been staffed with fire fighters since detection on August 22. When the fire increased activity on Saturday, September 3, additional fire crews and aviation support were assigned. At its peak, the fire had 85 fire fighters working on it as well as two medium-duty helicopters and twenty support personnel in Fort Jones and Yreka. Twenty fire fighters are expected to be released from the fire on Tuesday. Remaining fire crews will continue to mop-up and patrol within containment lines.
September 4, 2011 at 10:50 PM
The Onion Fire, burning in the Trinity Alps Wilderness, about ten miles east of Cecilville, has grown to an estimated 520 acres. Due to increased fire activity earlier in the weekend and continued seasonal drying, suppression tactics are being implemented. 105 fire personnel and two helicopters are currently assigned. With increase in complexity of the fire, a Type 3 Incident Commander and support organization were brought in yesterday to assist.
On Sunday the fire became less active and firefighters made good progress containing spot fires, and continuing burn out operations down the ridge line to ensure containment. Air resources aided firefighters with water drops and mapping the fire from the air. The Onion Fire remains confined to an area south of Rush Creek, north of the ridge between Rush and McNeil Creeks, east of the confluence of Rush and McNeil Creeks and west of the major ridge between Rush Creek Lake and Packers Peak.
Crews will continue to reinforce existing containment lines, and as conditions allow, burn out fuels ahead and upslope of the fire to ensure containment. Firefighters continue to work to protect lives, property, and resources.
Smoke effects from the Onion Fire are being monitored (a monitoring station has been set up in Coffee Creek).
Location: 10 air miles southeast of Cecilville, CA Estimated Fire Size: 520 acres
Jurisdiction: USDA Forest Service, Salmon-Scott Ranger District, Klamath National Forest.
Cause: Lightning Injuries: 0 Resources: Total Personnel: 105 Evacuations: None.
Closures: None at this time; hunters and Forest users may see smoke or firefighters in the area of Lady
Gulch Trail.
September 4, 2011 at 8:35 AM
On Saturday the fire spotted into and across Rush creek with rapid fire spread while still exposed to sun. It also spotted across the main ridge to the south with significant spread, 15 to 20 chains per hour. Fire is burning in old growth red fir and white fir timber(litter and understory)moving into shrub fuel and heavy dead and down fuels.
The Onion Fire, burning in the Trinity Alps Wilderness, about ten miles east of Cecilville, has been putting up new smoke with its growth over the last 48 hours. The fire has increased to an estimated 300 acres. A full fire suppression strategy has been implemented due to Saturday's fire activity. Forty firefighters and a helicopter are currently assigned. Additional crews and air support are on order and expected today. The increase in fire activity and expected weather and continual seasonal drying have increased the complexity of the fire and a Type 3 Incident Commander and support organization has been brought in to assist.
Assigned personnel are reinforcing existing containment lines, and as conditions allow, burning out fuels ahead and upslope of the fire to ensure containment. The fire remains confined to an area south of Rush Creek, north of the ridge between Rush and McNeil Creeks, east of the confluence of Rush and McNeil Creeks and west of the major ridge between Rush Creek Lake and Packers Peak. A spot was successfully contained north of Rush Creek in the old Rush Fire. Firefighters continue to work to protect lives, property, and resources.
Smoke from the Onion Fire has increased and smoke effects are being monitored (a monitoring station has been set up in Coffee Creek).
Location: 10 air miles southeast of Cecilville, CA
Many thanks to the Fire Information services for their updates.
