Last update: 11/28/02 06:50 AM

Controlled burns escaped between Graniteville and Bowman Lake, CA.

Acreage: 300-400 acres.

Containment: 100 %

Cause: The fires escaped from the piles that had been created by bulldozing trash wood.

Latest update: The Forest Service and SPI will continue to improve fire line and mop up the Granite Fire today.  The Granite Fire is burning on mostly private land within the Tahoe National Forest between Graniteville and Bowman Lake. East winds and very low humidities are expected to continue through today. Staffing and equipment have been reduced to 50 personnel including 2 TNF engines, 2 SPI crews, 2 SPI dozers, 1 water tender and 1 contract hand crew.
The fire is 95% contained with full containment expected tonight at 6:00 p.m.  The fire will be turned over to SPI on Thursday morning if not sooner.  SPI and the Forest Service worked hand-in-hand to suppress this fire.  A small amount of National Forest System land was burned.

Most of the land burning is privately owned by Sierra Pacific Industries.  Bulldozers had piled logging slash and these piles were ignited about 2 weeks ago, after the big storm when snow was still on the ground. With the high winds, the piles rekindled.  There are approximately 45 harvest units burning. Most of the fires are still within the harvest unit boundaries, however, some has escaped into the timberland.  A type II Incident Command Team has been ordered as a precaution, in case winds escalate fire conditions.  The team is expected to arrive on Tuesday evening.

The fire is near "Road 41" between Graniteville and Bowman Lake, and is visible from the Washington Overlook on Highway 20, on a ridge south of the fire.

Thanks to Ted Langdell for breaking the news! And thanks to the Tahoe National Forest for the updates!

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