Schaeffer Fire Progresses East into Upper Rattlesnake Canyon
July 10, 2017 Morning Update
Acres Burned: 14,934 Structures Threatened: 13
Containment: 11% Injuries: 4 (minor)
Personnel: 673 Fuel Type: Brush, timber, heavy dead and down
Start Date: June 24
***A Forest closure order for the area of the fire, including all roads and trails has been issued, going into effect today and will remain in effect until the fire is declared out (Forest Order No. 0513-17-20). For details regarding this closure, please go to https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5285 .
Yesterday, firefighters continued to have success with containment efforts as fire backed slowly toward the Kern River to the northwest. The west flank has held for the past 72 hours. Hotshot crews worked in the rugged terrain on the north end of the fire to strengthen the containment line using existing roads and trails to keep it from spreading into the Golden Trout Wilderness. The humidity was higher due to thunderstorms in the area.
Today, Monday July 10th, firefighters are beginning, in certain areas, the process known as mop-up. This process includes checking all containment lines by falling snags and clearing any rolling material that might cross the lines. The use of infrared flights help identify any remaining heat for crews to seek out and extinguish. The most active portion of the fire remains in the SE corner of the fire toward upper Rattlesnake Creek. Crews are conducting strategic firing operations where there is unburned fuels between containment lines and the fire. Crews continue to create defensible space and complete structure protection in Danner, West, Bonita, and Beach Meadows.
Monsoonal conditions are in the area today and a chance of thundershowers is expected. This could influence fire behavior.
Helicopters are making water drops to protect resources in the vicinity and air tankers will be used to reinforce containment lines when they can be used effectively and weather conditions permit.
People with respiratory conditions, young children, and elderly people may be susceptible to adverse effects. Air District officials urge residents to follow their doctor’s advice. For more information, see https://www.cdc.gov/features/wildfires/index.html or http://valleyair.org/wildfires.htm.
For more information follow #SchaefferFire on Facebook and Twitter or go to https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5285. The Kern River Ranger District can also be reached at 760-376-3781 (ext.635) from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.