Barnes, Modoc NF

Barnes, Modoc NF, USFS. Transfer of command from IMT 1 (CA Team 1) back to the local unit will occur today. Two miles east of Willow Ranch, CA. Timber, brush and short grass. Minimal fire behavior. Area, road and trail closures in effect.

September 17, 2022 at 8:14 AM

Final update: Yesterday, fire behavior was minimal. Firefighters continue to hold the fire in the existing footprint. On the northern flank, hose equipment that is no longer needed was back hauled and crews tactically patrolled areas that have been mopped up. Smokes are still visible of interior heats such as burning stumps holes. Over eight miles of hose has been strung out along the perimeter to secure the edge. On the eastern edge, hand crews mopped up using portable water tanks, hose lines, and heavy saw work in large diameter fuels, mainly Mountain Mahogany. They also worked areas of heat identified by the nightly IR flight. On the Southern perimeter, crews removed hose, performed suppression repair, and addressed hazard trees. Increased containment gains have been made.

Considering the good work that has been done on the Barnes Fire and the fact that containment is approaching 100%, this will be the last daily update for this fire. There will still be some updates the following week as we wrap things up.

September 15, 2022 at 7:52 AM

Yesterday, there was minimal fire behavior across the fire. Additional firefighters were brought in to address hazard trees and any threats to the line. Firefighters continue to hold the fire in the existing footprint. On the northern flank, they worked to improve the security of the line and mopped up further into the perimeter. Over five miles of hose has been strung out along the perimeter to secure the edge. On the eastern edge, hand crews continued to complete and improve containment lines and performed heavy saw work in large diameter fuels, mainly Mountain Mahogany. On the Southern perimeter, progress is being made in the final large pocket of heat along the line with up to 50’ of mop-up in some sections. Increased containment gains were made.

Operations: Today, firefighters will put in work to increase the containment lines, address hazard trees, and expand fire suppression repair work. Along the fires eastern perimeter, crews and heavy equipment are improving and reinforcing direct line and gridding for pockets of heat, concentrating in the pockets of heavier fuels that continue to hold onto heat as well as gridding the lines and duff for residual heats. On the northern perimeter they will be mopping up and eliminating threats to the line continuing to use aerial assets to assist as needed. Along the southern portion, the equipment working on the contingency line has been reassigned to suppression repair work. There continues to be a night shift presence.

September 14, 2022 at 8:05 AM

Yesterday, crews addressed hazard trees and any threats to the line with fallers. The fire continues to hold in the existing footprint. On the northern flank, crews continued to secure the line with many sections getting mopped up well into the perimeter. On the eastern edge, hand crews continued to complete and improve containment lines and performed heavy saw work in large diameter fuels, mainly Mountain Mahogany. On the Southern perimeter, progress continues to be made in the three large pockets of heat along the line with up to 50’ of mop-up in some sections. On the western perimeter additional containment was made. An aerial survey for lightning strikes within a 6-mile perimeter of the fire did not reveal any new fire starts from the lightning.

Operations: Today, firefighters will continue to put in work to increase the containment lines, address hazard trees, and begin fire suppression repair work. Along the fires eastern perimeter, crews and heavy equipment are improving and reinforcing direct line and gridding for pockets of heat, concentrating in the pockets of heavier fuels that are holding onto heat as well as gridding the lines and duff for residual heats. On the northern perimeter they will be mopping up and eliminating threats to the line continuing to use aerial assets to assist. An estimated 400,000 gallons of water have been used to extinguish the fire to date. Along the southern portion, the equipment working on the contingency line has been reassigned to suppression repair work. There continues to be a night shift presence

September 13, 2022 at 8:03 AM

Yesterday, there was some rainfall over the perimeter of the fire but it was isolated in nature. On the northern flank, crews continued to secure the line with many sections getting mopped up well into the perimeter, and the fire continues to hold in the existing footprint. On the eastern edge, hand crews continued to complete and improve containment lines around the spots as well as lines to tie them back into the dozer line that is heading north/northeast from Fandango. On the Southern perimeter, progress continues to be made in the three large pockets of heat along the line with up to 50’ of mop-up in some sections.

Operations: Today, firefighters will continue to put in work to increase the containment around the perimeter. Along the fires eastern perimeter, four hotshot crews and several dozers are putting in direct line to the north and from north to the south connecting the pockets of heat. On the northern perimeter they will be mopping up and eliminating threats to the line. Along the southern portion, the contingency line prep will continue as they brush the roads and continue to close the gaps of open line bringing the line from Fandango Pass to the 53Rd. On the western perimeter additional containment was able to be obtained. There continues to be a night shift presence.

September 12, 2022 at 8:30 AM

Yesterday, fire activity moderated with the cooler temperatures and higher humidities. On the northern perimeter hand crews, engines, and dozers supported with aviation assets improved work on the containment lines established. The dozer line being put into County Road 9 is nearing completion. Pockets of heavy heat are still holding in the creek beds in pinyon pines and where there are pockets of heavier fuels, firefighter are addressing them. Work continued on the contingency line to the south of the fire. Patrol and mop up is ongoing around structures.

A Community Meeting is being planned for 4pm tonight in Fort Bidwell.

Operations: Today, firefighters will continue to put in work to increase the containment around the perimeter. Along the fires eastern perimeter, they are working to complete building the fire line while securing the last of spots. On the northern perimeter they will be secure existing lines and work the pockets of heat on the eastern edge. Along the southern portion, the contingency line prep will continue as they brush the roads and continue to close the gaps of open line bringing the line from Fandango Pass to the 53Rd. On the western perimeter additional hotshot crews have been brought in and are working to tie the slop over from Friday night back into the main fire and limit any additional spread south and west. There continues to be a night shift presence.

Road Closures: County Rd 9 is closed and only open to emergency responders, this closure will support public safety by keeping public members out of the hazardous burn areas and will allow firefighting resources to combat the fire without public interference. Evacuation Center: The evacuation center is staged and ready if needed at the Modoc Fairground in Cedarville.

Weather: Potential for thunderstorms, partly cloudy with a chance of light rain. Temperatures will be in the mid 60’s to low 70’s. Minimum humidity will be in the 32-37% percent range. Winds will be light and variable switching in the afternoon to 5-10 mph out of the west with gusts up to 20 mph.

September 11, 2022 at 8:48 AM

Yesterday, fire activity moderated with the decrease and switch in winds. On the northern perimeter hand crews, engines, and dozers supported with aviation assets continued to build and improve containment lines. Crews continued to work at getting around the spot fires from Friday, they have lined the largest ones and continue work on secure the others. Some single tree torching and limited growth occurred on the northeastern side of the fire. Crews continued to look for opportunities to go direct and were supported by aircraft dropping retardant and water, keeping the fire in check. The dozer line being put in to County Road 9 was nearly completed. Pockets of heavy heat in the willow creek bed are being extinguished. Work continued on the contingency line to the south of the fire.

A Community Meeting is being planned for 4 pm tonight in Davis Creek, and 4 pm Monday night in Fort Bidwell.

Operations: Today, firefighters will continue to put in work to complete building the fire line on the eastern perimeter while securing the last of spots. On the northern perimeter they will be secure existing lines and work the pockets of heat on the eastern edge. Along the southern portion, the contingency line prep will continue as they brush the roads and continue to scout areas bringing the line from Fandango Pass to the 53Rd plan has been identified and is being implemented. On the western perimeter handcrews and dozers are working to tie the slop over from Friday night back into the main fire and limit any additional spread south and west. The night shift has been being bolstered by additional engines and a dozer.

Evacuations: The Modoc County Sherriff’s Office has issued a MANDATORY EVACUATION FOR COUNTY ROAD 133C TO HWY 395 COUNTY ROAD 9 from 1807 CR 9 to 133C – All residents affected were notified in person. The greater EVACUATION ZONE MCU-028 (residents in the area of the Buck Creek Guard Station) was moved yesterday to WARNING. Continued evacuation warning issued for ZONE MCU-035 in the Fort Bidwell Community and outlying areas. Residents should be ready to evacuate at any moment. Residents needing extra time to evacuate should take this opportunity to leave now. This is strictly voluntary. Be alert to rapidly changing conditions and follow County recommendations. Residents can check Zonehaven AWARE (sign up for real time updates).

September 9, 2022 at 5:48 PM

Fire activity and behavior has increased on the Barnes Fire this afternoon, fire resources are actively engaged in fire suppression efforts.

Fire resources including crews, equipment and aircraft, are actively engaged in fire suppression.

CIIMT 1 has been in-briefed and will take over command of the incident at 7:00 PM.

Stay tuned for more info to come out about a Public Meeting for the affected communities that is being planned by the incident command team.

The Barnes Fire started off County Rd. 9 south of Barnes creek, in the afternoon Wednesday, September 7 as lightning moved through the area. Fire traffic is increasing on our highways and roads, so please avoid the fire area.

A road closure is in effect including County Rd. 9, at County Rd. 133C and County Rd. 2 to allow fire resources to safely suppress the fire.

An evacuation advisory has been issued by the Modoc County Sheriff’s Office for ZONE MCU-028 & and evacuation warning for ZONE MCU-035 Fort Bidwell Community. Residents can check Zonehaven AWARE for real-time updates. Zones will be updated as the incident changes. If you don’t KNOW YOUR ZONE, type your address in the site before and it will give you your zone and any conditions noted.