RUSH FIRE Sunday night UPDATE
With new photos by Buddy Blosser
- Cause: Lightning
- Fuels: Fire is burning in sagebrush, juniper, and grass
- Estimated Size: 270,683 acres
- Containment: 50%
- Expected Containment: 8/25/2012
- Committed Resources: Approximately 677 people
- Structures Threatened: 9 (6 residences; 1 commercial; 2 outbuildings)
- Structures Damaged or Destroyed: 1 (barn)
- 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 and adjacent to Highway 395.
Summary: Line construction and burning operations continued along the north eastern edge of the fire along the Buckhorn Road. The fire remains active along this edge. Burning operations on the southern edge of the fire will continue on the west side of Skedaddle Mountain towards Wendel Road. Crews will mop up along the inactive edges of the fire, primarily on the western flank and progressing east on both the north and south. Crews continue to scout the eastern flank of the fire to determine the extent of the fire’s spread and have started constructing fire line where possible. Several areas on the eastern flank are also inactive and will be mopped-up.
NorCal Team 2 will be transferring the command of the Rush Fire to the Northern Rockies Incident Management Team. The incoming team will assume command of the fire on August 20 at 6:00 am.
A more typical weather pattern is forecast for northern California with sunny, warm, dry conditions and gusty winds up to 20 miles per hour.
Here are photos taken on the fire lines this evening by Buddy Blosser.
Area and Road Closures in Effect: On August 17, the BLM issued a closure order for public lands in 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, and the Wendel Road on the south.
The new northern boundary for the public land closure is the Juniper Ridge, Tuledad, Stage Road, Marr Road, and Buckhorn Road extending to Nevada Highway 447 in Washoe County.
Routes closed within this closure area include the Ramhorn Springs, Rye Patch Road, Buckhorn, Shinn Ranch, Stoney, Deep Cut, Smoke Creek, Skedaddle Ranch, Dry Valley, and Brubeck roads. The Ramhorn Springs Campground and the Dodge Reservoir Campground also is closed.
Travelers along the Highway 395 corridor, please use caution where fire crews and equipment are working in the fire area.
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.
A note for our readers who are LMUD customers – Due to the unstable nature of PG&E’s Caribou transmission line LMUD will be operating off of Honey Lake Power for the duration of the Plumas County Chips Fire. LMUD is asking that all customers conserve energy by unplugging or turning off all non-essential household equipment and appliances.
Rush Fire, Lassen County