Fire at a glance (numbers)
- Incident Name:
- State:
- Lead Agency:
- Size (acres):
- Percent Contained:
- Estimate of Containment:
- Personnel:
- Structures Destroyed:
Tucker, Modoc NF. IMT 2 (CA Team 10). Three miles northeast of Tionesta, CA. Timber, brush and tall grass. Minimal fire behavior with smoldering. Structures, energy infrastructure and sage-grouse habitat threatened.
August 3, 2019 at 8:33 PM
Transition back to the local unit will occur at 6 am tomorrow morning.
August 3, 2019 at 8:12 AM
The Tucker Fire is holding at 14,217 acres. Continued work has increased the fire’s containment to 95%. Night shift crews completed their patrol, finding no heat threatening lines. Today, further depth in mop up will be achieved as necessary to ensure containment.
Crews will continue fire suppression repair. Fire suppression repair is a series of post-fire actions taken to repair damages and minimize cultural and environmental impacts resulting from fire suppression activities. This work includes the installation of water bars on hand and dozer firelines. Water bars are used to stabilize areas that could experience erosion and lead to watershed impacts.
The weather is expected to become warmer and dryer with north winds shifting to the southwest in the afternoon.
Visible smoke from burning vegetation in the interior of the fire may still be seen. Crews will continue patrolling the fire area and remain ready in case a new fire starts. In addition, a heavy grass crop due to the rainy winter has resulted in increased fire danger across the state. Fuels will dry out with the warming and drying trend. Please use extra caution to prevent fire starts!
This will be the last update from California Interagency Incident Management Team 10. The Tucker Fire will be transitioned back to the Modoc National Forest tomorrow at 6am.
August 2, 2019 at 7:04 AM
Crews patrolled the fire again overnight, finding very little heat. They will continue that work today, mopping up hot spots and watching for remaining heat sources that could threaten containment.
In addition, they have begun suppression repair activities, which will include putting in water bars along dozer and hand lines to prevent erosion.
Residents and visitors in the area can expect to see isolated smokes within the fire area as unburned vegetation continues to smolder or ignite. These smokes are well interior, and will not threaten fire containment.
The weather today is expected to be slightly cooler than yesterday, with lighter winds. High pressure is predicted to rebuild back over the region with weekend temperatures rising slightly and winds remaining fairly typical for this time of year.
August 1, 2019 at 6:32 PM
The Tucker Fire again stayed within containment lines today despite the slightly windier, drier conditions which arrived today in advance of the approaching front. A Fire Weather Watch remains in effect until 8pm tonight.
Crews continued to make good progress today detecting and mopping up isolated areas of heat close to the fire’s edge. Crews will remain on the fire overnight to ensure that containment lines remain secure.
Residents and visitors to the area can expect to see isolated smokes within the fire area as unburned islands of vegetation continue to ignite and burn. These areas do not threaten the fire’s containment.
August 1, 2019 at 7:25 AM
Containment lines around the Tucker Fire held as crews worked through the night patrolling, gridding, and mopping up any heat threatening the fire perimeter. The Tucker Fire remains at 14,217 acres and is now 51% contained thanks to the efforts of both day and night shift crews. No structures have been damaged or destroyed. The Tucker Fire is under the command of California Interagency Incident Management Team 10.
Crews will continue to improve existing firelines and extinguish heat sources that could challenge the line or throw embers across the lines with the increase in winds expected today. They will utilize the GPS coordinates of known heat sources detected yesterday to locate and further mop and secure the fire perimeter. There is still heat scattered in the interior of the burned area, specifically in the base of juniper trees. This can produce visible smoke as interior islands of unburned vegetation continue to ignite inside the fire perimeter.
A red flag warning has been issued over the fire area from 2pm-8pm for strong winds and low humidity. Crews will base all actions in anticipation of the potential fire behavior that could result from these conditions. Crews are designated with initial attack responsibilities in the event of a new start.
Motorists in the area are advised that crews are still working along Highway 139. Please use caution and be aware of equipment and personnel along the road. Visible smoke from burning vegetation in the interior of the fire is expected and crews will be monitoring and holding the lines. In addition, a heavy grass crop due to the rainy winter has resulted in increased fire danger across the state. Please use extra caution to prevent fire starts!
August 1, 2019 at 7:07 AM
A Red Flag Warning has been issued for the fire area today for strong gusty winds and low relative humidity. The fire has impacted three 500kV major transmission powerlines. The previously damaged 250kV powerline has been re-activated. Current threats include critical Sage Grouse habitat, cultural and historic values.
July 31, 2019 at 6:52 AM
The Tucker Fire remained within containment lines throughout the operational period yesterday. It is currently 14, 217 acres and 10% contained. No structures have been damaged or destroyed, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation. California Interagency Incident Management Team 10 assumed command of the fire at 6am on July 31, 2019.
The fire remained relatively quiet overnight, holding within lines built over the last several shifts. Crews focused on strengthening lines, working west along Road 46N15 back towards Highway 139, mopping up, and patrolling the fire perimeter. Infrared mapping and observations overnight indicated that the vegetation is still holding quite a bit of heat, and crews will continue to work into the day to ensure that existing lines will hold.
Today’s weather is expected to be similar to yesterday, with winds picking up in the afternoon. Stronger winds and warmer, dryer conditions are expected later in the week and crews will prioritize strengthening lines that could push the fire to the northwest and southeast with those winds.
Motorists in the area are advised that crews are still working along Highway 139. Please use caution and be aware of equipment and personnel along the road. In addition, a heavy grass crop due to the rainy winter has resulted in increased fire danger across the state. Please use extra caution to prevent fire starts!
July 30, 2019 at 7:56 PM
Minimal fire behavior with isolated interior tree torching. Evacuation warnings in place. 500kV transmission lines have been re-energized and damage to 250kV powerlines. Other threats include the Tuscarora pump station, critical Sage Grouse habitat and historical values. California Incident Management Team 10 will assume command at 0600 tomorrow morning.
July 30, 2019 at 5:23 PM
Per Modoc NF, the fire did not display the erratic behavior it did the last two days. It was kept within containment lines, but is putting up some smoke from interior fuels.
July 30, 2019 at 7:27 AM
The Tucker Fire was very active yesterday, growing more than 10,000 acres to 12,973. Fire progression was to the northeast and the southern shore of Clear Lake.
In addition to protecting the Clear Lake National Wildlife Refuge and critical wildlife habitat in the area, fire managers want to keep the fire east of Hwy 139 and west of CR 136/Clear Lake Road. They plan to continue line construction where possible and scout for new containment opportunities today, while also providing point protection for infrastructure in the fire area.
Last night crews conducted burn-out operations to strengthen fire lines and constructed new line where possible. Forest Range personnel will be on scene again today working with affected ranchers and resource advisors will continue assisting bulldozers in avoiding sensitive areas.
No evacuations have been ordered at this time, however the Modoc County Sheriff contacted affected residents last night in the County Road 114/202, Coyote Butte, Horse Mountain area with a warning. Affected residents will be contacted if an evacuation becomes necessary.
California Incident Management Team 10 has been ordered and is expected to take over fire-suppression management Wednesday.
July 29, 2019 at 6:52 PM
Extreme fire behavior with long range spotting was observed today challenging firefighting efforts. One resident north of the incident has been evacuated. There is a threat to the community of Newell.
500kV transmission lines have been de-energized due to increased fire behavior.
Other threats include the Tuscarora pump station, critical Sage Grouse habitat and historical values. California Incident Management Team 10 has been ordered and will in-brief at 1200 tomorrow.
July 29, 2019 at 6:41 PM
The Tucker Fire spotted outside control lines today and again exhibited erratic behavior and fast rates of spread this afternoon. It was last reported at more than 11,000 acres moving north/northeast into the Clear Lake Hills.
The Modoc County Sheriff is currently contacting affected residents in the County Road 114/202, Coyote Butte, Horse Mountain area with a warning, but no evacuations have been ordered at this time. Affected residents will be contacted if an evacuation becomes necessary.
A type two incident management team has been ordered and is expected to take over fire-suppression management Wednesday.
July 29, 2019 at 12:25 PM
Good humidity recoveries reduces overnight fire behavior allowing dozer and firing operations to make good progress on the fire. There is a threat to the community of Tionesta which is 3 miles southwest of the incident. Re-energization of 500kV transmission lines was planned for 0800 this morning.
July 29, 2019 at 6:36 AM
No evacuations ordered and no homes are threatened at this time. Dozers made progress on all flanks. Hand crews will connect fire line today in areas bulldozers cannot access. Threat to power lines has been mitigated at this time.
July 28, 2019 at 8:09 PM
Fire continues to burn actively on all flanks. 500 Kv transmission lines have been de-energized for firefighter safety. Structures, Sage Grouse habitat and historical values are threatened.
July 28, 2019 at 7:05 PM
Modoc National Forest estimates the fire at 2,000 acres now.
July 28, 2019 at 6:19 PM
July 28, 2019 at 5:11 PM
Fire is burning with a rapid rate of spread on both sides of Hwy 139. There is a threat to 500kV transmission lines and sage grouse habitat.
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