Elephant Fire
Location: 2 miles SW of Rock Creek, Plumas Co., CA
Specific Location: Plumas NF, Feather River Canyon, E of Hwy 70 between Rock Creek Reservoir and Elephant Butte, Lat 39° 52´ 41″ Long 121° 22´ 12″
Date of Origin: 08/16/2009
Cause: Under Investigation
Situation as of 08/21/2009 5:00 pm
Personnel: 216
Size: 448 acres
Percent contained: 83%
Estimated date of containment: August 30th, 2009
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Situation as of 08/20/2009 8:30 pm
Personnel: 320
Size: 437 acres
Percent contained: 75%
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Situation as of 08/19/2009 6:30 pm
Personnel: 338
Size: 274 acres
Percent contained: 60%
Tobin Fire is 100% contained. Elephant Fire is 60% contained. Hwy 70 is open with one-lane traffic control and pilot car.
Fire located in a previous fire scar, 1999 Bucks Fire. Primary carrier of fire is brush and dead and down material. Fire moved E along Grizzly Creek and upslope to the S.
Crews completed indirect handline in DIV C; initiated indirect contingency lines in DIVS M. Firing operations to hold fire edge W of tributary to Grizzly Creek.
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Situation as of 08/18/2009 8:00 am
Personnel: 381
Size: 185 acres
Percent contained: 60%
Tobin Fire is 100% contained. Elephant Fire is 60% contained. Hwy 70 is open with one-lane traffic control and pilot car.
The fire is is burning at a low to moderate rate of spread in extremely steep, rocky terrain only accessible by foot. Five Type 1 Hot Shot Crews are currently assigned to the fire. During daylight hours firefighters are being assisted by helicopters and air tankers as needed.
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Situation as of 08/17/2009 8:00 pm
Personnel: 200
Size: 198 acres
Percent contained: 0%
As of 2:50pm on Monday, Aug. 17, CA Highway 70 open with one-way traffic controls and pilot car from Jarbo Gap in Butte County to the 70/89 Wye in Plumas County. Motorists should check highway information at 1-800-427-7623 or www.dot.ca.gov for current conditions.
NorCal Team 1 (Swartzlander) Type 2 IMT is now managing the fire. Helicopters and airtankers are assisting firefighters on the ground during daylight hours. Fire is burning in extremely rocky and inaccessible terrain east of Highway 70 and south of Grizzly Creek.
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Situation as of 08/17/2009 11:45 am
Personnel: 200
Size: 150 acres
Percent contained: 0%
As of 11:00 am, Monday August 17, Highway 70 is closed from the Highway 70/89 “Wye” in Plumas County to Jarbo Gap in Butte County.
