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Bishop, August 9, 2008....
Location: Mammoth Lakes, California - 2 miles southeast of town
Acres Burned: 347
Containment: 100%
Fire Started: August 3, 2008 @ 11:45 a.m.
Cause: Under Investigation
Structures Threatened: 0
Structures Destroyed: 0
Injuries:3
Total Personnel Assigned: 461
Summary
On Sunday August 3rd at approximately 1145 AM, the Sherwin Fire started in the Sherwin Lakes area 2 miles southeast of Mammoth Lakes. Firefighters on the ground from multiple agencies went into action with support from fixed-wing and rotary wing aircraft to suppress the fire. Wind caused the fire to spread in a north east direction away from the town of Mammoth Lakes.
The fire remains under investigation but has been determined to be human caused. If anyone was in the Sherwin Lakes area on Saturday, August 2nd or Sunday, August 3rd and has any information, you’re asked to call the U.S. Forest Service fire investigator Paul Meyers at (760) 924-5536.
Today on the Sherwin Fire, a blasting specialist will be utilized to bring down (fall) a very large tree that is still burning. Firefighters and tree cutting specialists have determined that the large, fire-damaged tree is too dangerous to attempt to cut down with chain saws. Due to the close proximity to a hiking trail, the tree will be brought down by explosives. The blasting specialist is an Inyo National forest employee with extensive experience with explosives.
Residents may hear an explosion in the late morning or afternoon today. This is just one of many different specialized tactics that firefighters use to abate fire hazards.
Firefighters completed the containment line around the Sherwin Fire yesterday. Remaining firefighters are working on hot spots and mop-up operations within the fire perimeter. Excess firefighters and equipment are being released to return to their home units or made available for reassignment if needed.
Sherwin Creek Road and Sherwin Creek Campground will are OPEN TODAY. Fire areas South of Sherwin Creek Road will REMAIN CLOSED between the Motocross Road and approximately 1/4 mile west of Laurel Creek Truck Trail. Wilderness trailheads at Sherwin Lakes and Valentine Lake REMAIN CLOSED. No wilderness permits are being issued for these trailheads. All other trailheads near the fire area have been opened.
Contact: Fire Information (760) 934-8054. Information is also available at www.inciweb.org reference Sherwin Fire.
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