Results tagged “containment”

Although the massively large Station Fire was fully contained last month, it still burns in the Angeles National Forest. That may be confusing, but we'll back up to the common definitions of containment and control, as given by officials in most fire updates to the public:

Big, but not surprising news snuck out yesterday about the 250-square mile Station Fire. After a cold front and a few days of rain, containment finally reached 100 percent last Friday evening.

To date the Sheep Fire has scorched 7,128 acres in San Bernadino County. Located near Lytle Creek and Wrightwood, the blaze broke out mid-afternoon last Saturday, and has eased towards containment through the week.

Officials continue to gain control of the Sheep Fire, burning near Wrightwood. The 7,128-acre blaze is currently 90 percent contained with full containment expected tomorrow by 6 p.m. On Wednesday, fire personnel began implementing rehab initiatives for short- and long-term repair of the forest and infrastructure. The fire began last Saturday afternoon and has damaged or destroyed a handful of homes, also leaving eight firefighters injured. At one point, the fire prompted 6,000 to 8,000 people to evacuate.

Amid cooler weather, firefighters continued to increase containment on the 7,128-acre Sheep Fire today. However, the low-pressure system that brought record lows to Southern California this week is moving out, which will increase temperatures starting tomorrow. Containment, currently at 85 percent, is still expected by Saturday, according to officials tonight.

Considering yesterday's amazing progress on the Sheep Fire (a 32 to 75 percent containment jump), it's no surprise that firefighters made no progress over night on the blaze, which still stands at 7,128 acres in size.

The Guiberson Fire, which began on the morning of September 22 and burned primarily in Moorpark and Fillmore, reached 100% containment yesterday, as the last of the assigned fire crews worked to completely surround and put out the flames, reports abc7.com.

The Guiberson Fire began Tuesday morning quickly moving from the Fillmore area in the Santa Clara River Valley over the Santa Susana Mountains towards Moorpark, prompting thousands of homes to be threatened and several evacuations.

Although the Guiberson Fire's cause was preliminary announced as spontaneous combusting manure by the Ventura County Sheriff's Department, fire officials kept mum about such talk until their investigation completed.

1,000 more acres have been burned since earlier reports this morning as the Guiberson Fire rages on in Ventura County. As the 600 firefighters on scene upped containment to 20 percent, a number of schools were closed as a precaution as the fire neared Moorpark. Moorpark College, Campus Canyon School and Walnut Canyon School are all closed today, according to the Ventura County Star.

The Station Fire began four weeks ago today on August 26th. Back then, the already-burning Morris Fire was dominating concern from authorities, but then the Station Fire took a turn for the worst, eventually burning through 250 square miles of the Angeles National Forest and becoming the biggest fire in Los Angeles County history (and in the top ten for the state).

Fire-friendly weather has pushed back containment of the nearly month-old Station Fire to Thursday, according to Forest Service authorities today. The blaze, which has burned through some 250 square miles, is still 94 percent contained. Aerial operations will continue in an effort to knockdown remaining interior hotspots and to reduce the risk of embers igniting additional fuels during today's hot, dry and windy weather. "These hotspots are located in steep and rugged terrain, which is inaccessible by ground crews," explained an Angeles National Forest fire operations summary.

Officials this morning extended the expected full containment of the Station Fire from this Saturday to Tuesday, citing an increase in hotter and drier weather. "We're expecting humidity to go down, temperatures to go up and wit the normal flow of down canyon winds mixed with dry fuel, we decided to push containment back a few days," explained Brian Grant, a Forest Service fire information officer, over the phone.

U.S. Forest Service officials announced tonight that the Station Fire is now contained at 93 percent, up two points since this morning. However, the size of the fire remains at 160,557 acres, roughly 250 square miles.

Good news. Authorities with the Angeles National Forest say that the Station Fire has now been contained to 91 percent with full containment expected on Saturday. The size of the fire remains at 160,557, roughly 250 square miles.

The Station Fire has burned through 160,557 acres, about 250 square miles, and is 77 percent contained, officials with the Angeles National Forest announced this morning. The blaze, which began on August 26th, has cost about $82 million to fight. Full containment is expected next Tuesday, which means costs will still rise, possibly to $100 million, according to the LA Times. The federal government is expected to pick up most of the tab because the fire started and mainly stayed within the U.S. Forest Service's boundaries.

The Station Fire has slowed significantly, but that doesn't mean its impact is any less significant as it continues to burn through ravines full of dry brush and vegetation on its eastern front. As of yesterday, the total acreage the blaze has consumed reached 157,220 according to the LA Times, and is burning "a safe distance from populated areas."

The Station Fire, which has killed two firefighters, destroyed 64 homes and has burned through 148,258 Acres--that's 230 square miles--was determined to be arson last night. “Forensic examination has led this team effort to conclude … that it was an act of arson," said Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore to the L.A. Times. Mile marker 29 along the Angeles Crest Highway, where investigators believe the point of origin is near, is now a crime scene.

A sigh of relief for Riverside County as one of two wildfires goes under full containment. Officials announced this morning that the 860-acre Pendleton Fire is no longer a threat. "All recommended and mandatory evacuation orders have been lifted for all areas of the Oak Glen and Pendleton fire areas," read an status update on CalFire's website. The blaze in Yucaipa began Monday around 3:30 p.m. and had prompted a myriad of evacuations.

Firefighters in San Bernardino County have been successful in moving both Yucaipa-area fires, the Oak Glen Fire and the Pendleton Fire, towards containment. As of last night, the Oak Glen Fire, which began midday on Sunday, has burned 1,013 acres and is 60% contained according to cbs2.com. Nearby, the Pendleton Fire, which began Monday afternoon, has scorched 860 acres and is now 70 percent contained.

Although the Station Fire's growth early last night seemed to be a sign of a slow down, the blaze, which killed two firefighters and has destroyed over 50 structures, grew some 15,000 acres as the hours progressed. The fire remains at 5 percent containment, but the weather is expected to cool down and moisture in the air is expected to return, which should aid firefighters, save for the worry of gusty wind and dry lightening strikes. This morning the focus of firefighting efforts remain in keeping flames away from homes, particularly in areas of La Crescenta, Tujunga, Sunland, and at Mount Wilson. Backfires set last night in Acton and La Crescenta are helping to keep the burn under control. Evacuation orders in

The brush fire that began Sunday afternoon and burned around 450 acres in Joshua Tree National Park was fully contained yesterday morning, although some firefighters remained on the scene to check for hotspots. “Exotic grasses and weeds change the desert’s natural ecology and its normal fire frequency. Because of this, Joshua Tree National Park has a full suppression approach to wildfires," said Park Superintendent, Curt Sauer. "Given that no firefighter or park visitor was hurt in the process, that’s about as good of an outcome as we can expect.” The following areas remain closed to public use to allow for the remaining fire operations: the Lost Horse Mine Road and trailhead, the Oyster Bar parking area, and the Hall of Horrors parking area. All other park areas and facilities are open for normal visitor use.

The Jesusita Fire that began last week Tuesday is expected to be contained within another seven days as winds continue to whip through the area's canyons. As of today, the fire is 80% contained.

We hear it all the time when talking wildfires. "The Sayre Fire is 64% contained," "the Tea Fire is 100% contained," etc. But what does that mean? How is it measured? "In essence, anything less than a 'full' (aka 100%) fire control line surrounding a wildland blaze is estimated by the Incident Commander in a percentage, and that number is the containment factor," explained Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The brush fire in Griffith Park near Travel town, first reported at approximately 2 p.m. today, is now 60% contained and has no active hot spots, according to an LAFD alert. 300 firefighters from multiple area agencies were on scene and about 50-60 acres have burned so far. The fire is expected to be totally contained by midday tomorrow. Fortunately, there have been no injuries so far.