- Started: August 12, 2012 at 6:42 pm
- Cause: Lightning
- Fuels: Fire is burning in sagebrush, juniper, and grass
- Estimated Size: 101,000acres
- Containment: 25%
- Expected Containment: 8/19/2012
- Committed Resources: Approximately 244 people
- Structures Threatened: 37 (30 residences; 2 commercial; 5 outbuildings)
- Structures Damaged or Destroyed: 0
- Injuries: 2 (both in fire camp)
Location: The fire is located on Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Northern California District (BLM-CA-NOD,) Eagle Lake Field Office, approximately 15 miles southeast of Ravendale, California. The fire is burning near a major natural gas line and transfer station, and power transmission lines that supply the Reno area.
Summary: The fire is active on the northwest and southern edges and is expected to continue to spread in these areas. Firefighters continue to work with dozers to secure the southern edge of the fire, south along Smoke Creek Road. Fire crews completed burnout operations along the western and north western flanks as conditions permitted in an effort to secure these lines. Fire crews mopped-up hot spots along the east and west flanks of the fire perimeter.
Voluntary evacuations of structures along eastern side of Highway 395 continue. Travelers along the Highway 395 corridor, please use caution near the fire crews and equipment working in the fire area. Highway 395 may be closed due to fire activity. Please check for current road conditions with CalTrans at http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi or 800-427-7623.
Resource concerns in the area include vital habitat for sage grouse and other wildlife, and multiple cultural and historical sites, 4 Wilderness Study Areas (WSA), and the Noble Emigrant National Historic Trail. The fire is also impacting livestock grazing allotments and habitat for federal protected wild horses and burros. Fire managers are working closely with area resource protection staff to mitigate fire damage.
Area and Road Closures in Effect: Effective today, the Rye Patch Road is closed to the public due to fire activity. On August 14, BLM issued a closure for the fire area to protect public health and safety. The closed area is bounded by Highway 395 on the west, the Sand Pass Road on the east, the Ramhorn Springs Road on the north, and the Wendel Road on the south. Routes closed within this area include the Ramhorn Springs, Shinn Ranch, Stoney, Deep Cut, Smoke Creek, Skedaddle Ranch, Dry Valley, and Brubeck roads. The Ramhorn Springs Campground also is closed.
Remarks: Fire officials remind residents and visitors that fire restrictions are in effect for public lands and national forests in northeast California. Campfires are permitted only in posted recreation sites. Chainsaws may not be used after 1:00pm daily.
For additional fire information, go to InciWeb @ http://inciweb.org/incident/3151/ or follow us on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/NorCalTeam2.
Rush Fire, Lassen County
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Rush Fire, Lassen County
