US Forest Service (USDA FS), Sequoia National Forest

Contact:  Fire Information:  www.inciweb.org or 760-376-3781 Ext. 632

Piute Fire - Update 7/3/08 p.m.

Percent Containment: 5 Percent

Total Acres Burned: 13,926

Cost to Date: $3,600,000

Structures Threatened: 1,231

Total Personnel: 1,323

WHAT'S NEW & EVENTS:

• The Pacific Northwest National Incident Management Team 2 (Hoff) assumed command of the Piute Fire at 6:00 am Wed morning.
• A public meeting is scheduled in Lake Isabella on Thursday, July 3rd, from 7-8 pm at the Lake Isabella Senior Center.
• Six outbuildings and one abandoned cabin were damaged by the fire yesterday afternoon.

PIUTE FIRE STATUS: Last night, the fire made a run towards the SE flank, threatening structures.

Crews protected the structures by firing around them. Crews have made good progress containing the spot fire on the SE flank. The fire continues to progress east towards Kelso Creek.

Firefighters continue their work securing Erskine Creek Road and continue to provide structure protection along Piute Mountain Road, Rocky Point, Valley View and Erskine Creek.

Evacuations: Brown Meadow, French Meadow and Camp Nick Williams have been evacuated.

The following areas continue to be under recommended evacuation: Valley View off Saddle Spring Road, Red Mountain Estates, Claraville, Rocky Point and Liebel Ranch.

A precautionary evacuation has been issued for Thompson Canyon.

The Evacuation Center has been placed into stand-by mode as of 4 P.M. Wed by the Red Cross and is located at the Lake Isabella Veterans Building/Senior Center, at 6405 Lake Isabella Blvd. Contact information will be posted at the shelter and if anyone needs emergency assistance, the shelter will re-open. Members of the community with respiratory problems may go to the evacuation center.

Individuals who require additional time to evacuate due to disabilities, and residents with animals, are urged to consider beginning the evacuation process early. Recommended evacuations are the highest level issued.

Closures and Road Status: There is an area closure in effect for the Piute Mountains:

• from Piute Mountain Road at Caliente Creek Road
• Saddle Springs Road at Caliente/Bodfish Road
• Jawbone Canyon Road south of Piute Mountain Road;
• Roads 29S02 and 29S03
• and Erskine Creek Road at pavement. 

Sequoia National Forest Supervisor Tina J. Terrell has issued an area closure for the Piute Fire area. The order is effective from 2:00 P.M. on July 1, 2008 through July 8, 2008, or until the Piute Fire is fully suppressed. For complete information on the area closure, contact the Sequoia National Forest Supervisor's Office.

FIRE FACTS:

Started: June 28, 2008; Cause: under investigation;

Location: Piute Mountain Road, 8 miles N of Twin Oaks, CA

Resources:

• 27 hand crews
• 3 helicopters
• 84 engines
• 8 dozers
• 11 water tenders
• 2 camp crews
• 1,323 total personnel

SAFETY CONCERNS: Rolling material on steep slopes may create spot fires, potentially creating a dangerous situation for firefighters.

WEATHER: Very little change in temperatures and relative humidities (Rh) expected through Thursday. Today, max temps 82-86? Rh 8-12%, slope/valley winds SW 5-8 mph with gusts to 15 mph in the afternoon. Ridgetop winds W 5-9 mph.

COOPERATING AGENCIES & PARTNERS: US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Kern County Fire Department, Kern County Sheriff, Kern County Office of Emergency Services, CALFIRE, California Highway Patrol and the Kern County Chapter of the Red Cross.

Contact:  Public Information Office at (760) 549-0126 or (760) 549-0127