Slinkard, near Topaz, Mono County

Slinkard, Bishop Field Office, BLM. Eight miles north of Walker, CA. Timber, brush and short grass. Minimal fire behavior.

September 5, 2017 at 10:25 AM

Low pressure off the coast will bring increasing moisture with thunderstorms in the area the next two days. Storms will move up from the southeast. Chances of rain will increase from yesterday and some local wetting rains may occur. Lightning strikes may occur outside fire area causing the threat of new fires. Wetter storms are expected on Wednesday.

Overnight the fire was closely monitored by nightshift firefighters. Minimal fire activity was noted in the interior of the fire. Crews will continue to construct and improve containment lines. Line construction and mop-up continues in the north and west portions of the fire. Crews will continue to patrol for hotspots along the Highway 395.

Residents and visitors may see occasional flare ups especially at night. These flare ups are well within the burned area and do not represent a threat to containment lines. Night shift firefighters are monitoring these flare ups and will take suppression action as needed.

Highway 395 is open with periodic closure. Highway 89 over Monitor Pass remains closed due to fire activity. Please drive with additional care.

Southern California Incident Management Team 3 will transfer command on Thursday local Type 4 organization.

September 4, 2017 at 7:30 AM

The Slinkard Fire is currently 9,093 acres with 49 percent containment. The fire originated in Slinkard Valley caused by a lightning strike on Aug. 29, 2017. Fire is currently located on the west slope of Antelope Valley, west of Topaz Lake and eight miles north of Walker, California. The fire is located in Alpine and Mono counties in California and Douglas County in Nevada. The fire is burning in cheat grass, sagebrush and pinyon/juniper.

Last night, fire activity was minimal except for one small spot fire which occurred on Highway 395 which was promptly extinguished. Today firefighters will continue to strengthen patrols in and around structures in the Holbrook Highlands area. Firefighters continue to construct and improve containment lines. Mop-up continues in the north and westerly portions of the fire. Crews will continue to patrol for hotspots along the Highway 395.

September 3, 2017 at 7:48 PM

Last night, fire activity was minimal except for one small spot fire which occurred on Highway 395 which was promptly extinguished. Today firefighters will continue to strengthen patrols in and around structures in the Holbrook Highlands area. Firefighters continue to construct and improve containment lines. Mop-up continues in the north and westerly portions of the fire. Crews will continue to patrol for hotspots along the Highway 395.

Hot temperatures with light valley winds will continue through Monday with poor overnight humidity recovery. Locally gusty east winds are likely over the higher ridges tonight and Monday. Chances of thunderstorms will begin to increase Monday and Tuesday with the best chance on Wednesday. A cooling trend with near normal temperatures is expected later in the week.

Highway 395 will remain open with periodic closures due to fire activity. Highway 89 remains closed over Monitor Pass. California and Nevada Highway Patrol will be on the highway monitoring the situation. Please exercise extreme caution as firefighters may be working from the roadway. Motorists traveling on Highway 395 are reminded that there will be largeamounts of holiday, fire, and Burning Man traffic. Please drive with additional care.

September 2, 2017 at 8:56 AM

Projected incident activity: High rate of spread, possibly affecting area residences and commercial buildings. Alignment of topography, weather, and fuels is driving the fire downslope.

September 1, 2017 at 10:18 AM

The Slinkard fire is being managed by a Sierra Front Type 3 Incident Management Team. Embedding on the fire today is the Southern California Type 2 Incident Management Team 3.

Last night, the fire’s activity continued to be active and erratic. Most activity was on the western and northern perimeters with fire activity backing down slopes towards Hwy 395 and moving rapidly in the grasses. The California Inspection Station in Topaz was saved. The community of Holbrook Junction is our protection priority, along with improving dozer lines and defending Leviathan lookout. Priorities of the Slinkard fire is always firefighter/public safety, all structures protected and natural resources maintained.

Evacuations: Topaz north of Highway 89 to the Nevada State line.

Closures: For public safety, Hwy 89 remains closed between Hwy 395 and Hwy 4 at Monitor Pass. Hwy 395 is closed from the junction of State Route 182 in Bridgeport to the Nevada state line. However, Hwy 395 will be open for local traffic with highway patrol escort when safe. A detour is in place for Hwy 395 and access to Bridgeport remains open. Hwy 108 (Sonora Pass) is open, but drivers must go south on Hwy 395 and then connect to the detour in Bridgeport if traveling north.

Resources: Numerous resources are ordered including hand crews, which are a critical need, as well as air resources. An Incident Management Type 2 Team is also responding.

Location: The Fire is located in Slinkard Valley and the west slope of Antelope Valley, west of Topaz in Mono County, CA. The fire is burning in cheat grass, sagebrush and pinyon/juniper.

Cooperators: Bureau of Land Management Bishop Field Office, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Antelope Valley Fire Protection District, East Fork Valley Fire Protection District, CA-EOS, CAL FIRE, Mono County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, Nevada Highway Patrol, Nevada Division of Forestry, Douglas County Sheriff’s Department, Cal Trans and Nevada DOT.

August 31, 2017 at 11:28 PM

The Slinkard Fire is estimated to be 6,500 acres with 0% containment this afternoon. The fire has burned to Hwy 395 and crossed Hwy 89 to the north.

Last night, fire crews focused on the eastern flank of the fire along Hwy 395 and engine crews were dedicated to structure protection in northern Topaz. There are no injuries and no structures lost at this time. Power is out in the immediate area.

The Sierra Front 2 (Type 3) Incident Management Team took command of the incident last night. Today, fire crews will continue to focus on protecting structures and infrastructure near in Topaz and along the Hwy 395 corridor, re-establishing anchor points on the fire and constructing fire line for perimeter control.

Topaz has been evacuated north of Hwy 89 to the Nevada state line. For public safety, Hwy 89 remains closed between Hwy 395 and Hwy 4 (at Monitor Pass). Hwy 395 is closed from the junction of State Route 182 in Bridgeport to the Nevada state line. However, Hwy 395 will be open with highway patrol escort when safe.

A detour is in place for Hwy 395 and access to Bridgeport remains open.

Numerous resources are ordered including hand crews, which are a critical need, and air attack and lead plane, two single engine air tankers, a heavy air tanker and two super scoopers.

The fire is located in Slinkard Valley and the west slope of Antelope Valley, west of Topaz in Mono County, California. The fire is burning in cheat grass, sagebrush and pinyon/juniper.

There are two hand crews, 30 engines, three helicopters, four water tenders, 1 dozer and support staff assigned to the fire. A Type 2 Incident Management Team is en route. This is a lightning-caused fire.

August 31, 2017 at 10:26 AM

Last night, fire crews focused on the eastern flank of the fire along Hwy 395 and engine crews were dedicated to structure protection in northern Topaz. There are no injuries and no structures lost at this time. Power is out in the immediate area.

The Sierra Front 2 (Type 3) Incident Management Team took command of the incident last night. Today, fire crews will continue to focus on protecting structures and infrastructure near in Topaz and along the Hwy 395 corridor, re-establishing anchor points on the fire and constructing fire line for perimeter control.

Topaz has been evacuated north of Hwy 89 to the Nevada state line. For public safety, Hwy 89 remains closed between Hwy 395 and Hwy 4 (at Monitor Pass). Hwy 395 is closed from the junction of State Route 182 in Bridgeport to the Nevada state line. However, Hwy 395 will be open with highway patrol escort when safe.

A detour is in place for Hwy 395 and access to Bridgeport remains open.

Numerous resources are ordered including hand crews, which are a critical need, and air attack and lead plane, two single engine air tankers, a heavy air tanker and two super scoopers.

The fire is located in Slinkard Valley and the west slope of Antelope Valley, west of Topaz in Mono County, California. The fire is burning in cheat grass, sagebrush and pinyon/juniper.

There are two hand crews, 30 engines, three helicopters, four water tenders, 1 dozer and support staff assigned to the fire. A Type 2 Incident Management Team is en route. This is a lightning-caused fire.

Cooperators include the Bureau of Land Management Bishop Field Office, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Antelope Valley Fire Protection District, East Fork Fire Protection District, Cal OES, CAL FIRE, Mono County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, Nevada Highway Patrol, Douglas County Sherriff’s Department, CalTrans and Nevada DOT.

August 30, 2017 at 3:28 PM

The fire has crossed Hwy 89 and is moving east towards Topaz. Hwy 395 is closed and Topaz has been evacuated north of Hwy 89 to the Nevada state line. Fire crews are putting in dozer line along the eastern edge of Topaz and numerous engines are in place for structure protection.

The fire is estimated to be 1,500 acres with 0% containment. The fire is burning in cheat grass, sagebrush and pinyon/juniper.

For public safety, Hwy 89 remains closed between Hwy 395 and Hwy 4 (at Monitor Pass). Hwy 395 is closed from the junction of State Route 82 in Bridgeport to the Nevada state line.

Unsettled weather will remain a concern for today, with thunderstorm activity and winds in the forecast.

There are five crews, numerous engines, three helicopters are support staff assigned to the fire. A Type 3 Team has been ordered and is en route. A Type 1 Team is being ordered. This appears to be a lightning-caused fire.

August 30, 2017 at 2:51 PM

County of Douglas: Residents in the Topaz, Holbrook, Spring Valley area please be evacuation ready. Reverse 911 has been sent out. Taking in Evacuees from #SlinkardFire Douglas County Community and Senior Center.

The fire is estimated to be 950 acres this morning and is 0% contained. The fire is burning in cheat grass, sagebrush and pinyon/juniper. The fire burned throughout the night, under the influence of slope and wind.

Crews are focusing their efforts on the eastern flank, closest to Topaz. There are no evacuations in place at this time.

For public safety, Hwy 89 is closed between Hwy 395 and Highway 4 (at Monitor Pass). Unsettled weather will remain a concern for today, with thunderstorm activity and winds in the forecast.

There are five crews, numerous engines, three helicopters are support staff assigned to the fire.

A Type III Team has been ordered.

August 30, 2017 at 8:41 AM

Moderate rate of spread
64 degrees, 42% RH, wind west @ 1mph
Community of Topaz threatened
Structures threatened
Sierra Front Type 3 team ordered