August 6, 2018 – The Nevada County Strike Team, composed of engines from Ophir Hill Fire, Peardale Chicago Park Fire, Higgins Fire, Nevada County Consolidated Fire and Nevada City Fire is still assigned to the Ranch Fire on the Mendocino Complex.
As of this morning, the Ranch Fire had grown to 225,001 acres with 21% containment. On Sunday, firefighters worked around structures in the Lake Pillsbury area, clearing and creating lines around the residences. They made good progress on dozer line running from the Eel River northeast to below the community, and are looking for opportunities to place indirect line across the northern edge of the fire.
The strike team has been prepping structures ahead of the fast-moving fire, making homes more defensible and increasing the chances of saving the residences.
According to Daniel Ramey, the PIO for Peardale Chicago Park Fire, “The team has seen a large amount of wildlife in the area – elks, coyotes, rabbits, deer, eagles etc. When we are fighting these fires, we are trying to protect all life – wild and domestic.”
This morning’s incident update states “A priority today will be to hold the fire west of the Bear Valley Road. Crews will look for opportunities to tie lines into the 2018 Pawnee Fire scar. Firefighters made good progress Sunday on lines behind the communities on the east side of Clear Lake, and will continue to work on that today.”
Stay safe!