Stanislaus National Forest

News Release

USDA Forest Service
Stanislaus National Forest

Dome Fire Update

Sonora, CA (August 12, 2007) ... The Forest Service today announced that firefighters continue to make progress in constructing, improving, and strengthening fire lines, now reaching 80 percent containment of the 75-acre Dome Fire, currently burning in a rugged, remote area of the Stanislaus National Forest. The fire is located approximately one and a half miles southwest of the Salt Springs Reservoir, and 13 miles northeast of the small community of Dorrington.

The fire was initially reported on Friday, August 10 at approximately 3:35 p.m., and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Drift smoke continues to be clearly visible in the area, especially during the early morning and evening hours, as interior portions of the fire continue to burn out within established containment lines.

The fire is burning in steep terrain and is not currently threatening any improvements, structures, or communities. Approximately 114 firefighters are committed to the fire suppression effort, including two helicopters, three water tenders, five fire engines, four hand crews, and additional supervisory overhead and support personnel. As firefighters gain the upper hand on the Dome Fire, some crews are being reassigned to other fires, or returned to base to prepare for rapid response to any new incident.

Although access to the fire is difficult, firefighters continue to make excellent progress, while at the same time, providing for safety first. Fire crews are improving and strengthening hand-constructed fire lines. Additionally, crews are carefully checking containment lines for any smoke, embers, flames, or tall trees still burning that could threaten to breach the fire lines already established in the very steep and rugged terrain. As a precaution, large dead trees on steep slopes are being felled and cleared away from containment lines to prevent the chance of spreading sparks and embers that could fall and ignite unburned vegetation across the fire line.

Throughout the day tomorrow, firefighters will continue to extend, complete, and strengthen fire containment lines around the fire’s perimeter. Fire crews are utilizing engines, water-dropping helicopters, portable water pumps, and hand tools to cool hot spots and mop-up burning vegetation for 100 feet or more inside established containment lines. Extinguishing hot embers, smoldering duff, and burning logs and stumps inside the fire lines helps to secure the perimeter, strengthen containment lines, prevent the fire’s spread, and control the fire.

Management and control objectives on the fire include providing for firefighter and public safety, minimizing threats to private and public lands, and keeping the fire within containment lines.