CLOSURE
Schaeffer Fire Area, Roads, and Trails Closure
ORDER NO. 0513-17-20 Sequoia National Forest, Kern River and Western Divide Ranger Districts, Schaeffer Fire Area, Roads and Trails Closure Order is effective from July 8, 2017, until the Schaeffer... more
Approximate Location
Incident Overview
Fire Management has Returned to Sequoia National Forest
Over the last several days, firefighters have been very successful in holding the containment lines on the Schaeffer Fire. Crews continue to seek out hot spots with the help of Infrared Imaging.
These hot spots are within the fire’s perimeter and once identified, firefighters immediately work to extinguish the hot spots that threaten the containment line.
The fire is now 94% contained and fire managers have downsized the suppression organization. Resources are being released as conditions warrant. Priority is to ensure firefighter and public safety, to reduce known hazards, while providing for the highest probability of success.
The management of the Schaeffer Fire has been returned to the Sequoia National Forest under the management their local Type-3 - forest team. Transition to the forest took place Tuesday, July 18, 2016. The forest team will be responsible to further secure the fire line, continue mopping up, patrol and rehabilitate areas affected by the suppression activities. On behalf of Central Coast Incident Management Team, Incident Commander Van Arroyo, would like to thank the communities affected by the Schaeffer Fire for their patience and cooperation.
Background
On Saturday, June 24, the Kern River Ranger District of the Sequoia National Forest received thunderstorm activity over the area starting the Schaeffer Fire. On July 3 at 6 pm, the Central Coast Interagency Incident Management Team (Incident Commander Van Arroyo) assumed command of the fire. Management objectives include suppression strategies where efforts will be most successful and to provide for firefighter safety.
Community Meeting Recordings
View a recording of the Kennedy Meadows Community Meeting on July 8 or a recording of the Inyokern Community Meeting on July 9.
For more information follow #SchaefferFire on Facebook and Twitter, call the Kern River Ranger District at 760-376-3781, 7 days a week, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, or the Lake Isabella Ranger Station at (760) 379-5646, M-F, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Basic Information
| Current as of | |
|---|---|
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Lightning Caused |
| Date of Origin | Saturday June 24th, 2017 approx. 04:16 PM |
| Location | Within the 2002 McNally wildfire burn area.(17 miles north of Kernville) |
| Incident Commander | James Robertson,IC USFS Jeremy Bush,IC trainee USFS |
| Incident Description | Lightning Caused Wildfire |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 218 |
|---|---|
| Size | 16,031 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 94% |
| Estimated Containment Date | Monday July 31st, 2017 approx. 12:00 AM |
| Fuels Involved | Brush (2 feet) Timber (litter and understory) Tall grass (2.5 feet) |
| Significant Events | Ensure firefighter and public safety to reduce known hazards while providing for the highest probability of success. Transition from the Type-2 Team back to a local Type-3 incident took place at 11:00 7/18/2007. A suppression repair plan has been provided to the incident and implementation is underway. Smoke remains visible while remaining fuel is consumed inside containment lines. Check with your doctor if smoke causes health issues. Fire has minimal, smoldering/creeping. |
Outlook
| Planned Actions | Priority is to hold the fire within existing containment lines south of the Kern River, Continue to reinforce hand line and black line. Crews are patrolling, and mopping up fire line to the degree necessary to ensure the fire will stay within the constructed lines.
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|---|---|
| Projected Incident Activity | Potential for new starts exists within the TFR (TFR = Temporary Flight Restriction) due to the forecasted thunderstorms. Firefighters are monitoring and holding all divisions while remaining fuel is consumed within interior islands. |
| Remarks | A Fire Area Closure is in place as of July 8th 2017. The closure are in effect until the SchaefferFire is declared out. For Specifics see Sequoia National Forest Order No. 0513-17-20 at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5285/36014/ |
Current Weather
| Weather Concerns | High pressure over the region will keep conditions warm and dry. Minumum RH could drop to the lower teens or similar to July 4th conditions. Winds should not be too strong. Slightly higher RH Wednesday through Saturday. Temps are expected to edge down a few degrees, but will continue at slightly above normal through the week. Mostly sunny Wed., scattered high clouds Thursday, with RH 28-24%. |
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