Update: Peak Fire Explosive Growth Due To Breezy Conditions
Peak Fire burning near Herring Creek Reservoir in the Stanislaus National Forest -- TCFD photo
Update at 5:50 p.m.: The Peak Fire remains 311 acres and 10 percent contained this evening. Fire officials report that the weather conditions and receptive fuels are causing conditions that make the fire resistant to control. They added that with the increase in activity, this fire has transitioned to a Type 3 team. Overnight crews will continue fire suppression efforts and gain containment, while also checking on hotspots and cleanup. Fire resources include 8 engines, 3 water tenders, 4 hand crews, 3 Type 1 helicopters, 1 Type 2 helicopter, and 6 air tankers. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Update at 12:05 p.m.: Stanislaus National Forest fire officials report that the hike in the Peak Fire acreage from 40 acres to 311 this morning was due to the blustery conditions overnight.
Forest spokesperson Ben Cossel tells Clarke Broadcasting that overnight ground operations indicate that it “got a bit spicy with wind.” The fire is burning north of Herring Creek Reservoir on either side of Forest Road 4N12.
“US Forest Service and CalFire have been working together since the start of the fire, conducting the initial attack. Additional fire agencies are now supporting,” shared Cossel. Yesterday (Thursday, October 3rd), there were six air tankers dropping retardant all day.”
Today’s plan of attack includes using the five helicopters on the scene to continue dropping water. The soft closure on Forest Road 4N12 remains in place at the intersection of 4N12, known as Hammill Canyon Loop Road. The reason for this closure is due to hazards to the public with numerous dead trees, helicopters dropping water, and firefighters working on the ground. It is a situation fire officials say “will be assessed daily and stay in place until it is safe for the public to go back in.”
Total resources on scene include 130 personnel, 8 engines, 3 water tenders, 4 hand crews, and 3 Type 1 helicopters, and 1 Type 2 helicopter. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Below updates written by BJ Hansen: Update at 7 am: CAL Fire has bumped up the size estimate of the Peak Fire in the Stanislaus National Forest up to 311 acres and it remains 10% contained.
Original story at 6:24 am: Tuolumne County, CA — CAL Fire is reporting this morning that the Peak Fire in the Stanislaus National Forest is 145 acres and remaining around 10% contained.
It is located outside of Pinecrest in the Herring Creek area. Firefighters will continue to work on laying hose lines and put out spot fires while working towards gaining further containment. The flames spread continues to be moderate. Forest Road 4N12, where the fire ignited before 1 p.m. Wednesday, remains closed at the intersection known as Hamil Canyon.
The Forest Service plans to release an incident update on firefighting activities later this morning.
