Parker 2, Modoc NF

Parker 2, Modoc NF.  Eleven miles east of Alturas, CA. Timber, brush and grass. Minimal fire behavior with creeping and smoldering. Residences threatened. Evacuations, road, trail and area closures in effect.

August 13, 2017 at 10:12 AM

Crews will continue mop up and patrol around the fire perimeter today. Today’s weather is expected to be cooler and cloudier, with westerly-northwesterly winds predicted to gust to 25-30mph on ridgetops. The increased winds may uncover any remaining weaknesses in containment lines and holdover fires. Crews will be prepared to respond if needed. Residents should expect to see smoke and occasional flare-ups inside the fire perimeter.

Fire and Modoc National Forest Staff will continue work replacing the Middle Fork Parker Creek Bridge, which was destroyed by the fire.

August 12, 2017 at 9:28 AM

Crews worked yesterday to strengthen and patrol lines, working carefully around the fingers and spots of fire to make sure that there is solid containment line around the whole perimeter. They will continue to mop up and “cold trail” (use an ungloved hand to check for heat long the fire perimeter) along completed lines. They have also initiated suppression repair, putting erosion control measures into place and covering up opened contingency lines. Fire staff is also aiding in the effort to replace the burned bridge over the Middle Fork of Parker Creek. Firefighters working in the Wilderness on the southeast corner of the fire are still staying overnight at Pepperdine Campground in order to lessen drive times from the Incident Command Post until the bridge is replaced.

The weather today is predicted to be similar to yesterday. Light terrain-driven winds are expected to increase in the afternoon today. A cold front passing through the area may bring stronger winds Sunday night into Monday morning. Firefighters will be on the lookout for increased fire behavior and any holdover fires that may become active due to the changing conditions. Residents can expect to see smoke and occasional torching inside the fire perimeter as previously unburned islands of vegetation continue to ignite.

A closure order remains in effect for the Parker 2 Fire area on the Modoc National Forest. For the most current closure information, visit the Modoc National Forest website at https://goo.gl/nJcSQz

August 11, 2017 at 10:30 AM

At approximately 7:45 am, August 11, 2017, Parker 2 Fire Incident Command received a report of a single vehicle, motor vehicle accident involving fire personnel. Initial reports indicate that a fire crew transport truck assigned to the Parker 2 Fire was involved in an accident on Highway 299 near Cedarville, California. There are reports of injuries. The number and extent of injuries are being determined at this time.

August 11, 2017 at 7:42 AM

Crews have completed firelines around the majority of the fire, with the only remaining open line in the Wilderness area on the southeast side of the fire. Crews will work on strengthening fire lines and mopping up around all the spots and fingers of fire, making sure that each piece has good containment. Still-burning stump holes, fire-weakened trees, and other hot spots can threaten lines if they are not completely put out.

Suppression repair has begun on contingency lines north and northeast of the fire perimeter. Crews will put in water bars, remove berms, and cover opened lines to prevent erosion during rain.

Fire staff will also assist today in replacing the bridge over the Middle Fork of Parker Creek, which was destroyed by fire late last week. An estimate for completion of that work is not known at this time.

The low-pressure system that brought localized heavy rain, thunderstorms, and hail into Northern California is finally moving out of the area today. Weather is predicted to be warmer and drier, with westerly winds gusting up to 25mph, especially in the afternoon hours and along ridgetops. A cold system, predicted to move into the area late Sunday, could bring even stronger winds. Firefighters are on alert for any increase in fire activity or holdover starts that could appear due to these changing conditions.

A closure order remains in effect for the Parker 2 Fire area on the Modoc National Forest. It is currently being updated.

August 11, 2017 at 7:11 AM

Crews have completed firelines around the majority of the fire, with the only remaining open line in the Wilderness area on the southeast side of the fire. Crews will work on strengthening fire lines and mopping up around all the spots and fingers of fire, making sure that each piece has good containment. Still-burning stump holes, fire-weakened trees, and other hot spots can threaten lines if they are not completely put out. Suppression repair has begun on contingency lines north and northeast of the fire perimeter. Crews will put in water bars, remove berms, and cover opened lines to prevent erosion during rain. Fire staff will also assist today in replacing the bridge over the Middle Fork of Parker Creek, which was destroyed by fire late last week. An estimate for completion of that work is not known at this time.

The low pressure system that brought localized heavy rain, thunderstorms, and hail into Northern California is finally moving out of the area today. Weather is predicted to be warmer and drier, with westerly winds gusting up to 25mph, especially in the afternoon hours and along ridgetops. A cold system, predicted to move into the area late Sunday, could bring even stronger winds. Firefighters are on alert for any increase in fire activity or holdover starts that could appear due to these changing conditions.

August 10, 2017 at 7:30 AM

Crews were busy yesterday strengthening lines mopping up to ensure that no heat remains close to firelines. The western edge, under the Dry Creek Basin and south from Dry Creek, is currently mopped up to between 50 and 75 feet inside the fire perimeter. Firefighters continued direct suppression tactics along the northeastern side of the fire, constructing handline across the top to tie the spots on the northeast corner into the main fire. Crews have also begun suppression repair on contingency dozer lines constructed on the northern side of the fire; making waterbars, removing berms, and covering opened roads to prevent erosion. While conditions in the Wilderness area are too wet for burning operations, crews have constructed hand line across much of the fire’s southern edge. While the southwestern edge of the fire is currently considered contained, firefighters will continue to patrol and mop up.

Thunderstorms, with localized heavy rain and hail, were prevalent around the fire area, but very little precipitation has fallen on the fire so far today. Tomorrow’s weather is expected to be similar to today’s, with a drier, windier conditions set to come into the region on Friday as the low pressure gradually breaks down and moves to the east.

August 9, 2017 at 7:37 AM

Good news! The voluntary evacuations on the Parker 2 Fire have been lifted as of August 8, 2017. Voluntary evacuations were instituted on for the area west of County Road 1 from Deep Creek Road to Granger Canyon after the fire became active on Friday, August 4. There are now NO evacuations in place on the fire.

Guess who’s coming to fire camp? Smokey Bear will make a guest appearance at our Camp Tour on August 10, 2017 at 2pm. The tour will be held at the Parker 2 Fire Incident Command Post at the Rotary Fields in Alturas. Please let us know you’re coming by calling us at 530-276-8097 or emailing eastzonemodocnf@gmail.com.

August 8, 2017 at 9:01 AM

Rain and road conditions prevented firefighters from working on line construction overnight. Despite the rain, infrared imaging and crew observations show that the fire is still holding scattered heat in many locations. Today, crews on the northern side of the fire will continue to work directly on the fire’s edge east from Dry Creek Basin, and build indirect fire line along the ridge north of Forest Road 42N30. They will also continue to open and improve existing roads to use if they should become necessary. Firefighters are remaining in place at structures between Deep Creek and Granger Canyon, although little growth has occurred in that area over the past several days. On the southern edge of the fire, crews will continue to look for opportunities for suppression within the Wilderness area, using natural barriers (like rock escarpments) and trails to keep the fire from spreading south. They will also improve firelines around infrastructure like the Pepperdine Campground and the cabins at Tom Lee Meadows. Low intensity fire did pass through the area, but neither the campground nor the cabins sustained damage.

Warmer and drier weather conditions are predicted mid-day, as last night’s showers move out of the fire area. Lower relative humidity and quickly drying vegetation could result in some increased fire activity. However, clouds are expected to build again by late afternoon, and a Fire Weather Watch is again in effect for localized heavy rain, lightning, and gusty winds.

August 7, 2017 at 9:16 PM

Rain fell over the fire area today, with some areas receiving as much as 1/3 of an inch of rain. The fire showed only minimal growth today because of that precipitation.

In the northwest corner of the fire, crews were flown by helicopter to work on suppression efforts directly on the fire’s edge. Crews are gaining containment there, cold trailing and mopping up as they go. They continued working around structures in the Dry Creek Basin and moved east along the Deep Creek Road, which is north of the fire’s active edge. On the northwest corner, they scouted opportunities for containment, and found that much of the forward progress has slowed as the fire has run into rock. There are a few places where the fire can continue burning northeast through stands of timber, and firefighters are looking for opportunities to contain the fire directly on its perimeter.

In the area just west of County Road 1, voluntary evacuations remain in effect, but firefighters made good progress strengthening control lines. Firefighters will remain in place near structures for the next few days to ensure that firelines hold.

Crews are staying overnight in the Pepperdine Campground in order to better access the fire in the Wilderness area. They are looking for opportunities to use existing trail systems and natural features, like rock escarpments, to contain the fire. The Campground itself experienced low intensity fire activity and neither it nor the cabins in the Tom Lee Meadows area were damaged when the fire went through.

Weather is expected to remain similar tomorrow, with lingering showers and thunderstorms overnight followed by clearer, warmer conditions mid-day before cumulus builds again tomorrow afternoon.

August 7, 2017 at 7:18 AM

The most active part of the Parker 2 Fire overnight was the northeast corner, where the fire continues to spread slowly through the timber. However, light precipitation fell overnight, minimizing fire behavior, especially in the early morning hours. Crews continued to work directly in the Willow Canyon area, and to build and improve dozer line on a ridge just north of the Deep Creek-Parker Road, tying that line into existing roads where possible. On the east side of the fire, crews continued improving line below the power poles west of Cedarville, and south to Granger Canyon. They will continue the efforts today, using favorable weather conditions to contain the fire in as close to its active edge as possible.

The weather pattern today is predicted to be similar to yesterday, with possible thunderstorms and outflow winds possible as clouds gather this afternoon.

August 6, 2017 at 8:57 PM

Wet, cool conditions helped firefighters make good progress today. Crews were flown in by helicopter to the rugged, inaccessible northwest corner of the fire to scout opportunities for suppression lines. Along the northern fire perimeter, dozers worked west from Willow Canyon along the 42N30 road, working with landowners in the Dry Creek area to strengthen lines around structures and prevent the fire from moving north. The northern edge of the fire continues to push forward slowly in timber. Crews are working to scout and open lines away from the fire’s edge. In the voluntary evacuation area from Deep Creek south to Granger Creek, little forward progress was observed today, and firefighters worked with residents to continue to clean up and prepare structures, should fire reach them. The southern edge of the fire is moving into the Wilderness, and specialized crews have been requested hike in and assess opportunities for suppression in that area. Overall, the fire showed little growth.

The low pressure system sitting off the California coast is expected to continue to bring moisture into the region, with increasing clouds and chances for showers and thunderstorms. Some precipitation was observed over the fire area today. Cooler temperatures and wetter conditions are predicted to stay in place into the middle of the week.

August 6, 2017 at 10:34 AM

The Parker 2 Fire is currently about 7,200 acres and 10% contained.

Crews made good progress on containment lines overnight. Crews will be working today to scout and assess firelines on the north side of the fire, working around private property to protect structures and opening roads to use for fire containment and access. On the east side of the fire, they continued to prepare power lines west of County Road 1 for potential firing operations, and to clear and create firelines around structures in the area between Deep Creek south to Granger Creek. On the south side of the fire, crews worked directly along the fire’s edge along Parker Creek Road as possible, then continued southeast with indirect fireline to the Wilderness boundary.

A red flag warning is in effect for Modoc County today for abundant lightning. Rain is expected to arrive with the lightning, with some isolated areas predicted to receive up to ¼ inch of rain. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for the eastern fire area.

August 5, 2017 at 7:47 PM

Acreage on the Parker 2 Fire was adjusted after an infrared flight today. The current adjusted acreage is 7,192 acres.

Cloud cover and high humidity helped minimize fire spread today, and the fire showed little growth overall. Light precipitation fell over the much of the fire area. Crews worked to prepare defensible space around structures on the eastern edge of the fire, from Deep Creek Canyon south to Granger Canyon west of County Road 1, and to protect powerlines running west of County Road. Along the southeastern edge, the fire is moving into Wilderness, which is steep and inaccessible to most equipment. Ground crews will be used to scout and construct lines in the area when possible. Crews were able to take advantage of favorable weather conditions today to fight fire directly on its active edge along the Parker Creek Road and Parker Creek Spur Road.

Weather this evening is supposed to remain overcast, with downslope winds on the eastern side of the fire tapering off in the night. Tomorrow is expected to be similar to today, with temperatures in the 70s and 80s and light southwesterly winds, which could become stronger and gusty if thunderstorms materialize. A threat of thunderstorms lightning if predicted to remain in the area through at least into Monday.

August 5, 2017 at 10:42 AM

There will be a Parker 2 Fire public meeting in Cedarville today at 4PM, Warner Mountain Ranger District office (710 Townsend St). Meet with firefighters to learn about observed fire behavior, anticipated weather, and firefighting tactics on this incident.

This meeting will be held outdoors, so please come prepared! Chairs, hats, water, etc. The meeting will be live-streamed on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ModocNF/) if technology allows.

The Parker 2 Fire was active overnight until about 1am. Crews worked overnight on the eastern side of the fire to prepare and protect structures along County Road 27 as the fire moved down Granger Canyon. On the western side, they put in dozer lines and took action to protect structures along Parker Spur. No structures have been reported damaged or destroyed. While the bridge on the Middle Fork of Parker Creek was destroyed by fire several days ago, the bridge on the North Fork is still intact, although fire burned around it overnight. Voluntary evacuations are in effect for the drainages south of Deep Creek to Granger Canyon, west of County Road 1. Information on evacuations is available on the Modoc Sheriff County website at http://www.modocsheriff.us/.

Today, firefighters will work on the west side of the fire to keep the fire east of Dry Creek, and on the west side of the fire to prepare structures should fire reach them and to scout and assess opportunities for fireline construction ahead of the active front.

A red flag warning is in effect again today from 2pm to 9pm for thunderstorms and gusty outflow winds, which can threaten both firefighter safety and constructed firelines. Temperatures are expected to be about the same as yesterday.

A Type 2 Incident Management Team (NorCal Team 2) has assumed command of the Parker 2 Fire as of 6am this morning. Lack of resources due to the extremely high number of active fires in the Western United States will continue to challenge suppression efforts today.

August 5, 2017 at 10:01 AM

Gusty winds, high temperatures and low humidities late yesterday afternoon fanned the Parker 2 Fire, now approximately 7862 acres.

By yesterday morning, the fire had slopped over Forest Service Road 31 near Middle Fork Parker Creek for approximately 400 acres. The Middle Fork Parker Creek bridge was burned, making access through the fire area even more difficult. Firefighters worked to secure the slop over and maintain an anchor point at the heel to keep the fire from wrapping around behind them. Private landowners were escorted into the fire area near the slop over and were assisted with hearding their cattle out of danger while fire conditions were quiet.

Later in the afternoon fire behavior became very active making it unsafe for ground crews. Air support from helicopters and air tankers was used to slow the fire progression, but eventually it began spotting toward Granger Canyon then jumped Forest Service Road 31 just north of Pepperdine Campground.

Last night, two strike teams of engines prepared structures on County Road 27 in Granger Canyon as the fire backed down the Granger Creek drainage. The Modoc County Sherriff has issued a voluntary evacuation for Deep Creek Canyon and south to Granger Canyon, west of County Road 1. A crew and dozer worked on the west side of the fire near Parker Creek to protect a structure and the North Fork Parker Creek bridge.

A Red Flag Warning has been issued for the area today from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. for abundant lightning in dry fuels with strong, outflow winds. Crews will be staged to assist with initial attack fires should it become necessary.

August 4, 2017 at 8:01 PM

Extreme fire behavior, Crowning, torching, spotting is observed. There are threats to livestock and grazing lands. MAFF’s and VLAT’s have been assigned. Fire has spotted on to the Eastern side of the Warner Wilderness. Evacuations in progress for the communities of Granger and East Creek Basin

August 4, 2017 at 7:06 PM

Parker2Fire approx 2000 acres. Winds increasing, spotting in Granger Canyon. Crews using defensive tactics for firefighter safety.

August 4, 2017 at 6:16 PM

Crowning, torching, spotting is observed. There are threats to livestock and grazing lands. MAFF’s have been assigned.

August 4, 2017 at 8:41 AM

At approximately 2 p.m. yesterday the Parker 2 Fire was reported north of Parker Creek (T 42N R 14E Sec 23). It is currently estimated at 1500 acres. Smokejumpers, Hotshot crews, engines and heavy air support were quickly dispatched to the scene.

The fire was initially reported as five acres and by 7 p.m. had grown to more than 500 acres. From the origin of the fire north of Parker Creek and the intersection of the Deep Creek Road (Forest Service Road 31) and the West Warner Road (Forest Service Road 5), it moved northeast from the confluence of Parker Creek and Dry Creek. Due to unstable atmospheric conditions, the fire behavior was very intense with torching, crowning and numerous spot fires.

Ground resources had poor access to the fire due to limited roads in the area. A Forest Service bridge across Middle Fork Creek burned yesterday, which will further hinder firefighter access. Helicopters and tankers worked quickly to try and slow the fire spread and knock down some of the heat so ground crews could work safely.

Firefighters were able to evacuate a group of hikers from the South Warner Wilderness on the Summit Trail utilizing a Cal Fire helicopter. The Modoc County Sheriff’s Office has issued a closure for the following areas: County Road 56 at Forest Service Road 31, Deep Creek Road, Pepperdine Campground, the Summit Trail south from Pepperdine and Granger Road at Forest Service Road 42N51.

All of the South Warner Wilderness will be closed along with other portions of the Warner Mountain Ranger District. Closure order maps will be posted on the Modoc National Forest website later today.

A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for gusty winds and low relative humidity levels between 1-9 p.m. today. Additionally, a Fire Weather Watch will be in place tomorrow for possible abundant lightning. Nor Cal Interagency Incident Management Team 2 has been ordered to manage this incident. They will be in-briefing at 1600 today.

August 3, 2017 at 8:18 PM

Extreme rates of spread with long range spotting and crowning. A Type 2 IMT has been ordered. Pepperdine Campground has been evacuated and County Rd 56 and Parker Creek Rd have been closed. Fire is burning towards the South Warner Wilderness.

At approximately 2PM, Thursday, August 3, 2017, a new fire was reported in the Warner Mountain area. The Parker 2 started north of Parker Creek and has moved northeast at a rapid rate. Fire behavior has included running, spotting, and torching. There have been several spot fires, including one that crossed Road 31. A full response was ordered immediately; engines, Hotshots, smokejumpers, tankers, helicopters, and more have responded, with more resources on order. As of 6:30 PM, the fire was estimated over 300 acres. It continues to move northeast and firefighters are trying to hold it at Road 31.

The Modoc County Sheriff’s Office has issued a closure for the following areas: County Rd 56 at Forest Service Road 31; Deep Creek Road; Pepperdine Campground; the Summit Trail south from Pepperdine; and Granger Road closed at Forest Service Road 42N51.