Summit Complex, Tuolumne County

Summit Complex, south of Douglas Day Use area, off of Highway 108, near Sonora Pass on the Stanislaus National Forest.

September 30, 2017 at 10:08 AM

The Bummers fire is drying out and experiencing minimal fire behavior with backing and short-range spotting in the heavy dead and down fuels. In the last 10 days there has been no fire spread on the McCormick, Willow and Douglas fires.

Crews continue to monitor and patrol the fires. Road maintenance will be conducted where needed for safe access.

September 24, 2017 at 8:55 AM

Crews continue to monitor and patrol the fires. As the fuels begin to dry out, firefighters will use a low intensity backing fire to remove fuels from the fire’s edge to the fireline.

September 21, 2017 at 9:52 AM

The fires received a half inch to an inch of rain last night. Fire behavior is minimal. Firefighters continue to monitor and patrol the fire. Please be cautious while driving in the area.

The McCormick Fire (4,332 acres) is located north of Fence Creek Road and Clark Fork Road. The Douglas Fire (311 acres) is located south of Douglas Picnic Area and Hwy 108. The Bummers Fire (120 acres) is located near Bummers Flat and FS road 6N05. The Willow Fire (100 acres, includes a meadow and natural barriers, actual acres burned is 35) is located west of Groundhog Meadow and bound by Hammill Canyon Loop Rd.

September 17, 2017 at 9:39 AM

The Summit Complex consists of three fires burning on the Summit Ranger District. The McCormick Fire (4,332 acres) is located north of Fence Creek Road and Clark Fork Road. The Douglas Fire (311 acres) is located south of Douglas Picnic Area and Eureka Valley Campground on Hwy 108. The Willow Fire (10 acres) is located west of Groundhog Meadow and bound by Hammill Canyon Loop Rd.

September 14, 2017 at 8:27 AM

Precipitation has significantly reduced fire behavior and more rain and thunderstorms are predicted for today. The fire will be transitioning from a Type 3 organization to Type 4 Incident Commander. Firefighters will be working in the Clark’s Fork area, please be cautious while driving and turn on headlights when smoky.

The Complex’s objectives include: firefighter and public safety, manage smoke to avoid unhealthy and hazardous conditions, and to maintain fire dependent ecosystems by restoring the natural fire process to the landscape.

Effective Sept. 14, 2017 at 6:00 a.m. closures exist in the fire area west of the Arnot Trail (trail is open), Fence Creek Road and Fence Creek Campground.
Location: The Summit Complex consists of three fires burning on the Summit Ranger District. The McCormick Fire (4,332 acres) is located north of Fence Creek Road and Clark Fork Road. The Douglas Fire (311 acres) is located south of Douglas Picnic Area and Eureka Valley Campground on Hwy 108. The Willow Fire (10 acres) is located west of Groundhog Meadow and bound by Hammill Canyon Loop Rd.

September 9, 2017 at 11:16 AM

Crews will continue to monitor fire movement. Fire spread is minimal at this time due to the precipitation over the fire area and higher humidity. Preparation work will continue on roadways using chippers and hand crews. Road maintenance will continue in order to provide safe access for fire personnel. Moving resources to different Divisions based on needs for preparation work and chipping. We are able to provide initial attack resources on forest based on the minimal activity at this time.

September 6, 2017 at 8:47 PM

Fire behavior yesterday was moderate to minimal. Cooler temperatures, higher humidity and cloud cover contributed to decreased fire activity and minimal fire spread. A cooling trend is expected for the rest of this week over the Summit Complex. Scattered thunderstorms over the fire area are predicted and may promote increased fire activity, however, these storms are expected to bring heavy precipitation as well. Winds will remain terrain driven.

Crews will continue to monitor fire movement and control direction of fire spread. Road maintenance and chipping will continue to prepare control lines and to provide safe access for fire personnel. Resources may be moving to different Divisions based on needs for preparation and chipping.

September 4, 2017 at 1:46 PM

The Summit Complex consists of 3 fires burning on the Summit Ranger District. The McCormick Fire (3,600 acres) is located north of Fence Creek Road (6N06) and Fence Creek Campground and Clark Fork Road (7N83). The Douglas Fire (181 acres) is located south of the Douglas Picnic Area and Eureka Valley Campground on Hwy 108. The Willow Fire (10 acres) is located west of Groundhog Meadow and bound by the 4N12 in the Hammill Canyon Loop.

Fire behavior yesterday was moderate. Reduced winds, cooler temperatures, and cloud cover contributed to decreased fire activity. The Willow and Douglas Fires have experienced very minimal fire behavior over the past several days. A cooling trend is expected for the rest of this week over the Summit Complex. Winds will remain terrain driven.

Crews will continue to monitor fire movement and control direction of fire spread. Road maintenance and chipping will continue to prepare control lines and to provide safe access for fire personnel. Resources may be moving to different Divisions based on needs for preparation and chipping.

The Complex’s objectives continue to include: firefighter and public safety, manage smoke to avoid unhealthy and hazardous conditions, and to maintain fire dependent ecosystems by restoring the natural fire process to the landscape.

September 3, 2017 at 10:52 AM

Fire behavior for the McCormick Fire was active yesterday due to hot temperatures, low relative humidity, and dry fuel moistures coming into alignment with wind and slope. The Willow and Douglas Fires have experienced very minimal fire behavior over the past several days

Crews will continue to monitor fire movement and direction of spread, while working through the upcoming days to complete road preparations and chipping to allow safe access for fire personnel. Fire behavior has increased, with some short-range spotting and backing. Resources may be moved to different Divisions based on needs for prepping and chipping.

The US Forest Service in conjunction with the Tuolumne County Sherriff’s Department is issuing a voluntary evacuation for the following area of the Summit Complex – McCormick Fire:
Clark Fork Road
Clark Fork Campground and horse camp
Sand Flat Campground
Camp Liahona
Camp Peaceful Pines
All trail systems in the area (Arnot Creek, Disaster Peak, Clark Fork)

This is a VOLUNTARY evacuation only at this time for the safety of the firefighters and public in the area, due to increased fire behavior experienced today.

In addition, the Fence Creek Road location was closed yesterday.