Here is your Sunday update from fire officials on the Reading Fire burning in Lassen National Park
According to Sunday morning’s update the Reading Fire is 51% contained.
Firefighting efforts have been assisted by cooler temperatures and higher humidity, lessening some fire activity.
Despite this, fuels are dry enough to be receptive to spotting and crews are immediately responding to any suspicious smoke that threatens the current fireline.
The fire has been fuels driven, burning in timber slash, (conifer and lodgepole pine with heavy dead and down fuels), with a grass and shrub understory.
Containment lines on the north and western flanks of the fire have held for several days. Firefighters in those areas continue to patrol and mop up to prevent additional spread.
On the eastern flank, crews hiked in to engage in successful direct attack, using firelines and natural obstacles to prevent additional spread.
On the south, crews continued constructing fire line from north of Summit Lake towards the Twin Lakes area. On all sides, crews immediately jumped upon any spot fire that occurred Helicopters are being used along both the southern and eastern flanks to extinguish hot spots and support crews working in those areas.
When crews mop up they are turning over dirt, checking for heat, and looking for smoke. Crews will begin repairing the Pacific Crest Trail and other areas impacted by fire suppression. Snag removal will continue today on the Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway.
On Saturday a very large air tanker (DC-10) was used to drop fugitive retardant on the eastern edge to hasten control of the fire. Fugitive retardant is effective in slowing the progress of fire, but will no longer be visible on the ground after several days.
Today, smoke and operations on nearby fires may present driving hazards. Drive slowly when visibility is low, and be cautious around emergency vehicles.
Many local, county, state and federal agencies are working together to provide a coordinated response to the fire. Smoke will continue to pose health concerns for the public. Residents are encouraged to visit the “Protect Yourself from Smoke” website for smoke protection information at http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Wildfires/. Local air quality conditions and forecasts are available at http://airnow.gov/index.cfm action=airnow.main.
Closures – Lassen Volcanic National Park Campgrounds: · Butte Lake · Crags · Lost Creek · Summit Lake North · Summit Lake South Roads: Visitors wanting to access Lassen National Volcanic Park from the north, can drive the Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway from the north entrance to Manzanita Lake. Visitors wanting to access the park from the south entrance, the road is open to Summit Lake. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead for current information. Many of the park’s most popular trails remain open.
For additional information, please visit: · Lassen National Forest website: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/lassen/alerts-notices · InciWeb: www.inciweb.org/incident/3112/ · Lassen Volcanic National Park: www.nps.gov/lavo/index.htm or on Twitter@LassenNPS
- Location: Portions of the Lassen Volcanic National Park and Lassen National Forest.
- Command: Interagency Incident Management Team 3 (Pincha-Tulley)
- Start Date: July 23, 2012
- Cause: Lightning
- Acres: 27,849 NPSÂ acres = 17,020 USFS acres = 10,750 Privately Owned Land 79
- Percent Containment: 51%
- Estimated Containment: August 21, 2012
- Resources: Hand Crews: 15 Engines: 67 Helicopters: 4
- Injuries: 1
- Structures Damaged: 0
- Estimated Cost-to-Date: $12,202,631
- Total personnel assigned to the incident: 744
 
Reading Fire Map
