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09/27/02 04:04:43 PM Current size: 91 acres The change in acreage is due to more accurate mapping completed today by a Field Observer walking the perimeter with a GPS unit. Containment: 100% The Bear fire, which began Sunday afternoon, August 27, 2001 near Bear Lake and Barker Pass, on the Tahoe National Forest may have been started by an abandoned campfire.Investigators saw signs of what may have been a campfire at the point of origin. “I am frustrated”, stated Joanne Roubique, District Ranger in Truckee. “It is widely known that we have some of the driest conditions on record this summer. We have fire restrictions in effect. Yet some people keep having campfires and leaving them to escape. How many more wildfires do we need to have before people realize that the situation is very serious?” The Gap Fire was caused by an illegal, escaped campfire and several other fires, including the still active Star Fire are also believed to be human caused. The Forest Service is still grieving the loss of four firefighters in Washington State from a wildfire started by an escaped campfire. “In a year of normal precipitation the Bear Fire would only have been about one-tenth of an acre. Because it is so dry even our high elevation granite fields are burning.” commented John Holcomb, Fire Managment Officer on the Truckee Ranger District. The Bear Fire burned an area that normally wouldn’t suport a large fire. In most years teh 6,500-foot elevation would have recently become snowfree, teh trees and brush would be full of moisture and wouldn’t burn easily. “Combined with the extensive rock outcrops fires rarely gain much of a foothold in that country” stated Holcomb “I’m glad to say the Bear Fire is now 100% contained and is in patrol status” Because of the continuing extreme fire danger and many major fires burning in the western United States the Tahoe National Forest has banned campfires completely from the Forest. Camp stoves and lanterns can still be used, however, a campfire permit is needed for the use of stoves and lanterns outside of developed recreation sites. Smoking is allowed only in an enclosed vehicle or building or in a developed recreation site. In addition, an advisory has been issued on Tahoe National Forest System land south of Interstate 80 and west of the Pacific Crest trail due to potential danger from the Star Fire. |
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