292 replies to this topic

[Wandering Sagebrush]

East of Klamath Falls, Oregon

 

Bootleg Fire

 

Fire Number 210321 Unit Identifier ORFWF - Fremont-Winema National Forest Complex Name  

 

Start Date 07/06/2021 Reported

 

Acres 273,582 Cause Undetermined

[ski3pin]

Inciweb's information on the Bootleg Fire

[craig333]

Downgraded to a mere 18k+ acres but looking at the map I can't help but think its more than that. 

 

This statement from the FS isn't going to make them many friends.

 

The fire was burning in remote territory for weeks before gusting winds Saturday exploded it into a dangerous conflagration. On July 10, when the fire was a quarter-acre wide, the Forest Service said it made a "tactical management decision is not to insert fire crews due to safety concerns, however, this is not an unresponsive approach. [The fire] is surrounded by granite rocks, a small lake and sparse fuels. Fire poses no threat to the public, infrastructure or resource values."

 

I wonder if there will be an investigation once its over.

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

It's so hard to second guess these events.

But you would think such a small fire just dump some water on it.

Oh well.

Frank

[craig333]

Yes, especially when you have multiple large fires going on. The safety concern is an odd one. Any fire has safety concerns. Not sure why a hand crew couldn't have hiked in or a copter land nearby. 

[Ted]

Second guessing these events is actually easy because of hindsight. It is the first guess that is hard. After a good lightening event you could have scores of small fires, maybe even a hundred up and down the entire Sierra crest. Every one you send a hand crew or make a drop on is an existing fire you just pulled a crew away from. Will somebody's house burn down by doing that? So you have to make the call which ones get attention and which don't. Don't get a single one wrong in your whole career or the second guessers come out of the woodwork calling for your head on a post.

 

I don't know what will happen to the person that made this call. They may very well be held responsible. But I suggest every person that is second guessing them step up and replace that person and be responsible for making the first call from now on.

 

I don't know anything about fire fighting. But I retired from a job that required difficult decisions. I sleep much better now.

Rant over.

[pvstoy]

TAMARACK FIRE Evac Center at Douglas County Senior Center , Gardnerville

7-18-21 UPDATE 5:20 PM
*25,000 acres burned
*6 structures lost
*Air response still limited due to smoke
Mandatory evacuations are in place for the following areas: Grover Hot Springs, Shay Creek, MarkleeVillage, Markleeville, Carson River Resort, & Poor Boy Road area, Wolf Creek Campground, Silver Creek Campground, ADDITIONALLY Sierra Pines, Upper and Lower Manzanita, Crystal Springs, Alpine Village, Diamond Valley Road and Hung-a-lel-ti are now under mandatory evacuations. "The Mesa" is under a voluntary evacuation but conditions are changing fast. Please stay out of these areas to allow emergency personnel to do their jobs.
We will update this page as information becomes available.

Follow the official County Tamarack Fire Facebook Page at https://www.facebook...111204851241728

• https://www.facebook...111204851241728

[craig333]

I know I'd hate to be the guy (probably some kind of committee) who has to allocate scarce resources. Hard to send equipment to a fire thats not doing much when you have structures burning elsewhere, new fires popping up, and basically the entire West coast on fire. 

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

. But I suggest every person that is second guessing them step up and replace that person and be responsible for making the first call from now on.

 

Well said Ted.

We owe a great amount of respect ,support and appreciation to the women/men who put their lives on then line to protect us.

Thanks to all first responders.

Frank

[ski3pin]

Tamarack Fire Wildfire
Announcements – 58 min. ago COUNTY OF ALPINEOfficial StatementDATE: July 19, 2021RE: Updated Evacuation Order
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: ALPINE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ORDERS THE MANDATORY EVACUATION OF BLUE LAKES ROAD
The Alpine County Sheriff’s Office has ordered the mandatory evacuation of Blue Lakes Road effective 11:30 AM on July 19, 2021. They are asking all residents and visitors to safely leave the area.