Hells Half Complex Fires
Location: ~8 mi SW of Burnt Ranch (Hwy 299), Six Rivers NF, Shasta-Trinity NF, Trinity Co. CA
Specific Location: Hells Half Creek, S Fork Trinity River, ~Lat 40° 46′ ~Lon 123° 31′
Date of Origin: 06/22/08
Cause: Lightning
Situation as of 07/28/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 262
Size: 15,146 acres
Percent Contained:100%
Costs to Date: $13,761,193
Evacuation orders for the Dry Lake Area have been lifted.
Transition to a Type 3 ICT (Stevens - Six Rivers NF) organization will occur 7/30/08 at 0600. Close out meeting with the forest to be at Hells Half ICP 7/30/08 at 1000.
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Situation as of 07/25/08 6:00 AM
Total Personnel: 490
Size: 15,146 acres
Percent Contained: 96%
Costs to Date: $12,178,193
SoCal Team 1 (Joseph) assumed incident command at 2000hrs 7/24. A hazardous air quality alert has been issued for Humboldt Co.
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Situation as of 07/24/08 6:00 AM
Total Personnel: 457
Size: 15,146 acres
Percent Contained: 95%
Costs to Date: not reported, est. $12.4 million
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Situation as of 07/23/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 443
Size: 15,132 acres
Percent Contained: 85%
Costs to Date: $11,877,852
Quesinberry Southern Area T1 IMT (Blue Team) preparing to transition with Joseph Southern California T2 IMT (Team 1).
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Situation as of 07/20/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 665
Size: 11,868 acres
Percent Contained: 65%
Costs to Date: $10,642,085
Mandatory evacuation of the Dry Lake area. Evacuations continue in effect for 56 residences south of fire. Another public meeting is scheduled to be held at the Hyampom Volunteer Fire Department at 7:00 pm on Tuesday night July 22nd.
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Situation as of 07/18/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 565
Size: 10,917 acres
Percent Contained: 50%
Costs to Date: $9,695,749
Estimated Containment Date: 07/30/08
Mandatory evacuation of the Dry Lake area was coordinated today with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department. Evacuations continue in effect for 56 residences south of fire.
Active surface fire and uphill advancement was observed in the Mingo Creek Drainage, Sugarloaf Mountain area, and in the Surprise Creek Drainage.
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Situation as of 07/17/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 600
Size: 10,424 acres
Percent Contained: 40%
Costs to Date: $8,994,718
Estimated Containment Date: 07/30/08
Evacuations continue in effect for 56 residences south of fire.
Current weather predictions indicate there may be a possible wind event on Sunday. A southwest wind event could have potential to create control problems along control lines to the north of the fire.
Moderate surface fire spread today with some single tree torching were observed in the late afternoon after the inversion was slow to mix out.
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Situation as of 07/16/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 593
Size: 10,192 acres
Percent Contained: 35%
Costs to Date: $8,437,187
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Situation as of 07/15/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 602
Size: 10,039 acres
Percent Contained: 30%
Costs to Date: $7,881,779
Structures Destroyed: 1 residence. Evacuations continue in effect for 56 residences south of fire.
A Spike Camp was established today at Hyampom Elementary School where appox. 220 persons will be located. The Spike Camp will be supported by the caterer for the Lime Complex to aid in cost containment. Seven engines were also reassigned to the Iron Complex today to assist with immediate critical operation needs for that incident.
Fire behavior increased today as a result of higher winds, lower humidities and a less stable atmosphere. Backing fire with isolated torching and short uphill runs were observed. Burnout operations in Div. X were suspended early in the afternoon due to fire intensities.
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Situation as of 07/13/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 540
Size: 9,698 acres
Percent Contained: 29%
Costs to Date: $6,283,878
Evacuations still in effect for Area D-Big Slide 6 residences, Area 5-Hyampon West 50 residences. Operations will maintain communication with Humboldt and Trinity County Sheriff in regards to the Evacuations; inform sheriff when conditions warrant repopulation.
Transition date with IMT Type I will take place at 0600 on 7/14/08. If visibility allows, aerial retardant will be requested to support crews working around the structures on the south end in DivC (southwest). Retardant may also be requested to support dozer line construction in DivW (north).
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Situation as of 07/11/08 5:00 PM
Total Personnel: 464
Size: 7,858 acres
Percent Contained: 29%
Costs to Date: $5,322,074
Significant fire growth occurred on 7/10/08. The Grouse Fire grew by 1,712 acres spreading to the Southeast. The Half Fire grew by 2,357 acres and spread to the Southeast. Active night time burning predicted in association with poor night time RH recovery. Fire behavior moderated today. Backing fire and single tree torching was observed. The fire was under an inversion all day, very poor visibility reported on the fire.
Percent Containment and Total Acres have changed based on more accurate mapping. The Grouse and Half fires grew together last night. The two fires (Grouse and Half) will be referred to as Hell’s Half Fire.
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Situation as of 07/09/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 459
Size: 4,787 acres
Percent Contained: 50%
Costs to Date: $4,438,973
IR flown on 7/9 showed that the Half Fire increased by 861 acres and the Grouse by 142 acres. The Half Fire acreage growth occurred within the perimeter of the in-direct control lines. The Grouse Fire escaped its containment lines on the NE portions of the fire. Half Fire, 2,853 acres, 29% contained, expected containment date: 7/20. Grouse Fire, 1,934 acres, 70% contained, expected containment date: 7/20.
The escape of the Grouse fire and its proximity to structures increases the complexity of incident management. Thirty five miles of dozer and handline have been constructed on the complex, seven miles of indirect line still needs to be fired off on the Half Fire. A population protection plan drafted in coordination with the Trinity and Humboldt County Sheriffs and VFDs has been approved by both County Supervisors. No night shift due to dangerous conditions and limited personnel.
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Situation as of 07/05/08 5:45 PM
Total Personnel: 440
Size: 3,784 acres
Percent Contained: 54%
Costs to Date: $3,719,624
Est containment date: 07/14/2008.
Half Fire, 1,992 acres, 29% contained, expected containment date: 7/14. Grouse Fire, 1,792 acres, 85% contained, expected containment date: 7/11
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Situation as of 07/05/08 5:00 PM
Total Personnel: 411
Size: 3,307 acres
Percent Contained: 46%
Costs to Date: $3,084,062
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Situation as of 07/04/08 5:00 PM
Total Personnel: 391
Size: 3,078 acres
Percent Contained: 52%
Costs to Date: $2,767,241
On Half Fire, line improvement and burn out occurred on the E flank in both Div. M and N. Handline was tied into dozer line on the N end of the fire. Line improvement, burn out, mop-up and patrol continued on SE corner, Div. M. A media tour of the Half Fire occurred today.
On Grouse Fire, continued burnout operations on the SE portion of the fire in division C, scouted line to the S to South Fork river. The fire was active on the NE portion of the fire, Div. Z. The fire is burning in very steep terrain and threatens to burn around containment lines.
Critical short term needs for the Half Fire are 2-Type I IHCs for three operational periods to support the construction and burning of to secure the NE side of the fire (division N-P) This will stop the spread of the fire north into numerous residences.
Helicopter support is essential to support both operations. No night shift due to dangerous conditions and limited personnel.
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Situation as of 07/03/08 5:00 PM
Total Personnel: 357
Size: 2,926 acres
Percent Contained: 40%
Costs to Date: $2,401,321
On Half Fire, all lines were completed along the Eastern flank in both Div. M and N. Line improvement, mop-up and patrol continued on SE corner, Div. M. Mop-up will be completed in 2-3 shifts. New division added to fire, Div P. Check line was competed on the North West portion of fire, of Div. P. Crews were supported by helicopter bucket work. On Grouse Fire, continued burnout operations on the SE portion of the fire in division C working towards Div. Z. Good progress is being made. Held and improved Dozer and handline NE portion of the fire in Div Z from DP6 South to Gary Creek. Fire activity increased resulting in a slop-over in Div. Z. Mop-up and patrol continued in Division A and B.
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Situation as of 07/02/08 5:00 PM
Total Personnel: 351
Size: 2,876 acres
Percent Contained: 40%
Costs to Date: $2,138,198
Half Fire, 1,583 acres, 17% contained. Grouse Fire, 1,293 acres, 60% contained.
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Situation as of 07/01/08 5:00 PM
Total Personnel: 345
Size: 2,620 acres
Percent Contained: 30%
Costs to Date: $1,880,069 (no explanation given for cost decrease)
Half Fire, 1500 acres, 7% contained. Grouse Fire, 1,140 acres, 55% contained.
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Situation as of 06/30/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 338
Size: 2,440 acres
Percent Contained: 20%
Costs to Date: $2,249,876
Half Fire 1,320 acres, 2% contained. Grouse Fire 1,120 acres, 50% contained.
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Situation as of 06/29/08 11:00 PM
Total Personnel: 356?
Size: 2,080 acres
Percent Contained: 25%
Fire activity picked up again on the Half Fire (Div. M), forcing a halt to line construction.
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Situation as of 06/28/08 5:00 PM
Total Personnel: 356
Size: 1,600 acres
Percent Contained: 20%
Costs to Date: $1,030,488
Completed burnout in Div A. Construction of line around slopover in Div C proceeds. Ground recon of Half Fire continues, construction of hand line on east side, with minimal staffing.
Dangerous terrain, heavy fuels, heavy smoke, and availability of crews limited access to many areas. No night shift due to dangerous conditions and limited personnel. Inversion with heavy smoke limited recon opportunities.
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Situation as of 06/27/08 5:00 PM
Total Personnel: 356
Size: 1,500 acres
Percent Contained: 20%
Continued inability to fill orders results in the fire’s potential to enter into residential areas, expected later this week.
Progress with dozer line and burnout made on the SW side of Grouse Fire. Ground recon of Half Fire continues with construction of hand line started, and minimal staffing. Dangerous terrain, heavy fuels, heavy smoke, and availability of crews limited access to many areas.
No night shift due to dangerous conditions and limited personnel. Inversion with heavy smoke limited recon opportunities. Fire Weather Watch for Friday evening through Sunday evening. Packsaddle Fire was turned back to District today.
Public Meeting tonight in community of Hawkins Bar.
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Situation as of 06/26/08 5:00 PM
Total Personnel: 349
Size: 1,450 acres
Percent Contained: 15%
The Sims, Grouse, Gary and Sugarloaf fires have been merged into one incident, now called the Grouse Fire. The Grouse Fire is 30% contained; the (Hells) Half Fire is 0% contained and staffing limited to monitoring.
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Situation as of 06/25/08 5:00 PM
Total Personnel: 247
Size: 1,142 acres
Percent Contained: 6%
Costs to Date: $427,245
Structures Threatened: 22 PRIM , 3 COMM , 28 OUTB Structures Destroyed: NONE
Half Fire spread S towards Hyampom, and E toward Burnt Ranch. Point protection measures in front of the spread were activated, but Half Fire remains essentially unstaffed at 600 acres. Merging fires on the Grouse Fire (Sugarloaf Fire, Gary Fire) total around 350 acres.
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Situation as of 06/25/08 2:00 PM
Total Personnel: unreported (250+)
Size: 750 acres
Percent Contained: unknown
17 fires total, 8 contained. Type 2 IMT (Secrest) to take over management today.
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Situation as of 06/24/08 10:00 PM
Total Personnel: 247
Size: 825 acres
Percent Contained: 2%
Fire activity for 6/24 included major acreage increases. Increased perimeter sizes resulted in less area effectively staffed due to overhead and crew shortages. Smoke contribution in the North Coast Air Basin was and will continue to be substantial. Plantation loss on 6/24 was significant, with more expected. Habitat loss for key fisheries and faunal species is expected. Concerns over the lack of available suppression overhead, and aircraft limit options for any aggressive suppression strategies. Associated support functions not filled have resulted in limiting the amount of support the district resources can handle. Continued inability to fill orders results in the fire’s potential to enter into residential areas, expected later this week.
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Situation as of 06/23/08 7:00 PM
Total Personnel: unknown
Size: 637 acres
Percent Contained: 2%
A Type 2 IMT (Secrest) has been ordered to manage this two fire complex.
