Incident Information
Angeles National Forest
Daily Update9/10/02, 6:00 PM
Incident Information Contacts:phone (626) 574-5208, 8:00 PM to 5:00 PM
The 19, 375 acre Curve fire which started September 1, is now 90% contained. Total containment is predicted for 6:00 PM on September 11. Crews continue to work completing the last of the fireline on the east flanks in the Sheep Mountain Wilderness. Using fire to contain the fire, burning out the vegetation between pre-constructed fireline and the fire’s edge has been very successful in keeping the fire west of Mount Baden Powell.
Firefighters assigned to the Curve Fire will remember the events of September 11 by observing a 1 minute of silence at the beginning of their shift, honoring not only the New York firefighters who died on 9-11, but for all the firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Flags at the two base camps will be flown at half-staff during the day, and smaller flags will be distributed to crews and engines before out on the line. The camps will be decorated in red, white, and blue in observance of the day.
Personal property left behind in San Gabriel Canyon during the evacuation on September 1, 2002 may be reclaimed by calling Jerry Sirski at the San Gabriel River Ranger District at (626) 335-1251 Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.
The Curve Fire investigation team has concluded that candles associated with a ritual involving the use of fire and animal sacrifices started the fire. Anyone having any information relating to this incident is asked to call Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations at (626) 574-5351.
Highway 39 is now open from the San Gabriel Recreation Area Entrance Station to the intersection with the East Fork Road. The East Fork Road is also open to the public. Recreationists are encouraged not to hike into the Sheep Mountain Wilderness Area due to fire activity. Closed roads include: Highway 39 from East Fork Road to the Angeles Crest Highway 2. The Angeles Crest Highway 2 is closed from Vincent Gap to Kratka Ridge.
The South Mountain Hawkins Lookout in the Sheep Mountain Wilderness and 72 structures in the San Gabriel Canyon between Rincon and the Angeles Crest Highway were destroyed. The assessment team identified 50 special use cabins and 19 structures in the Falling Springs Resort area. These structures were seasonal special use cabins or outbuildings and three Forest Service administrative buildings. Structures are still at risk from active burning within the fire perimeter.
Cooperating agencies contributing to the suppression efforts include: California Highway Patrol, Cal Trans, Southern California Edison, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and Red Cross.
Start Time: / 9/1/02, 12:35 pm
Location: / The fire is currently burning in the San Gabriel Canyon, along Highway 39, south of Highway 2, and east into the Sheep Mountain Wilderness.
Cause of Fire: / Human
Area Vegetation: / Heavy chaparral in steep, rugged terrain
Acres Burned: / 19,375
Structures Burned: / 73
Roads Closed: / Highway 39 at East Fork Road. Highway 2 is closed at Kratka Ridge on the West and Vincent Gap on the East.
% Contained: / 90%
Target Containment: / September 10, 2002 @ 6:00 PM
Injuries: / 11
Temperatures & Relative Humidity: / 45-60, 60-80% RH
Wind Speeds: / 8-15 mph
Wind Direction: / N-NE
Condition of Fire: / See information above
# of Engines: / 68
# of Bulldozers: / 0
# of Hand crews: / 46
# of Helicopters: / 13
# of Air Tankers: / 2, additional 3 on order
# of Water Tenders: / 25
Total # of Personnel: / 1,648
Angeles National Forest
Fire Information Number (626) 969-5163