Fork Fire

Unit Information

Eldorado National Forest
U.S. Forest Service
100 Forni RD Placerville California 95667
Placerville, CA 95667

This incident is no longer being updated.

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A Type 5 organization is managing the Fork Fire. The Fork Fire is 1673 Acres with 100% containment. Fire activity has been minimal, however windblown needle cast over the completed fire lines and strong winds resulted in a 2.6-acre slop over on 10/27 which was contained at 97 acres.

The Fork Fire started in the Crystal Basin near Gerle Creek under critical fire weather conditions. Driven by east winds gusting 30-50 miles per hour, the fire grew rapidly to the west. It is burning in the Rubicon River drainage and the 2014 King Fire burn scar. The Rubicon canyon is in an extremely steep and remote area which makes firefighting difficult. This area of the King Fire had burned at high severity with nearly 100% tree mortality, leaving large snag patches of fire killed trees. The standing snags are a significant safety hazard, especially in strong winds. There is also a high concentration of dead and down trees creating a heavy fuel load, as well as dense post-fire regrowth of 4-6 foot tall brush.

Basic Information

Current as of
Incident Type	Wildfire
Cause	Under Investigation
Date of Origin	Tuesday September 08th, 2020 approx. 11:15 AM
Location	Crystal Basin/Gerle Creek, 15 Miles NE of Pollock Pines
Incident Commander	Rob Scott
Coordinates	38.99 latitude, -120.394 longitude

Current Situation

Total Personnel	21
Size	1,673 Acres
Percent of Perimeter Contained	100%
Fuels Involved	Fire is burning in King Fire scar, where fuels consist of heavy concentrations of standing snags and 4-6 foot brush.
Significant Events	Minimal Creeping Smoldering

Outlook

Planned Actions	Establish direct control lines where possible, utilizing indirect control line where direct control line is not feasible. Hold and monitor existing lines along current perimeter. Provide structure defense to residential structures in the threatened communities. Protect critical utility infrastructure and values at risk.
Projected Incident Activity	Predicting mild interior hot spots due to needle cast 24 hours: Predicting mild interior hot spots due to needle cast 48 hours: interior creeping is biggest concern and fire will be monitored by resources as well as with the Bunker Hill camera.
Remarks	Due to wind event on 10/26 the fire burned 2.6 additional acres.

Current Weather

Weather Concerns	High pressure will persist over eastern California through most of this upcoming week with continued poor overnight humidity recovery for mid slopes and ridges. Winds will remain generally light with no rain or snow expected. Local breezy north to east winds for north Sacramento Valley and foothill locations will produce elevated fire weather concerns. A low pressure system could bring gusty southwest winds and raise fire weather concerns by the end of the week, along with chances for precipitation.