Gap Fire




		Last updated: 08/18/01 07:32 AM The fire started at Onion Valley Road 2 miles from the junction of Hwy 80 and Hwy 20 in Nevada County at approx. 1:30pm on Sunday, Aug. 12. Current size: 2,462 acres Containment: 100% as of 6:00pm Thursday Ponderosa Fire Fire Restrictions Reminder! Not much significant fire activity last night. Crews completed the line around the fire for 100% containment, and continued mopup operations where line already existed. In general, crews are using water, hand and power tools today to continue mopup with the intent of having the fire cold within 300 feet of the perimeter, and 300 feet from residences, Interstate 80, and other places where persons or property could be endangered. Helicopters will be used as needed to provide water drops to support crews. Growth potential: LOW Difficulty of terrain: MODERATE Demobilization of crews and equipment is in progress, and personnel numbers will decrease today. Facts and figures: Cost to date for suppression is been $3,875,090 and is expected to go to approximately $5,200,000 by the fire's end Costs for drinking water and hydration fluids (juices, etc.) has been $10,000 per day. Dehydration has been a problem for some firefighters, and sodas and performance enhancing drinks may be playing a factor. These drinks are strongly discouraged for firefighters 13 different contractors are providing support services 1,300 pounds of crew laundry were washed on Thursday The airtankers dropped a total of 45,000 gallons of retardant on Tuesday. At the height of the fire, the airtankers dropped 60,000 gallons a day on the Gap Fire. A converted S2 tanker (turbine powered) carries 1,200 gallons of retardant per load. Prop converted S2 carry 800 gallons per load. According to Steve Raymond, the Grass Valley Air Attack has already been breaking the all-time record of gallons dropped per year so far. The Chester airbase dropped a total of 880,000 gallons of retardant this year, setting a new all-time record as well. .Resource specialists are currently surveying the fire scene to assess rehabilitation needs. Fire crews are doing first level rehab of firelines to stabilize the lines and reduce erosion effects from fall and winter precipitation. Waterbars are being built on firelines and when possible, organic material and woody debris is being spread to help stabilize soils. Emphasis is being made today to remove unneeded firehose and police the perimeter for any trash that may have been left by crews. Rick Weaver, a member of the Suppression Rehab Team explains: We have been inventorying the handlines, dozer lines and other disturbed areas like safety zones, drop points and staging area. We came up with suppression rehab specs and will be getting these out to the crews via the shift plan. Most of the fireline rehab work will involve pulling in the berms, covering the line with organic debris and slash and installing erosion control so they do not channel storm runoff. We will be rehabing the handlines with hand crews and using an excavator (it looks like a large track mounted back hoe) to rehab the dozer lines. There was not a large amount of dozer line cut on the Gap Fire due to the fact steep, very rocky, rugged, topography was not favorable for dozer use. Much of the rehab of the exterior lines will have to wait until the fire is declared controlled. Visit the photogallery and the Map section Agencies Involved include USDA Forest Service (lead agency), Bureau of Indian Affairs (Missoula BIA crew), Natinal Park Service, Northstar FD, Penryn FD, Loomis FD, Truckee FD, California Division of Corrections (Rainbow Crew), Minnesota Dept. of COrrections, private Est. control : Monday, August 20th 1 light injury (sprained ankle) was reported on Sunday. Many thanks to the Tahoe National Forest Service for their updates!

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