Ranch2 Fire

INCIDENT INFORMATION

Start Date: 08/13/2020                                         Size: 3,050 acres

Location: San Gabriel Canyon (Hwy 39)             Containment: 19%

North of Azusa, Los Angeles County, CA            Cause: Human-Caused, Suspected Arson

Assigned Resources

Hand Crew: 10                                    Engines: 18                 Dozers: 4         Total Personnel: 456

Helicopters: 4                                      Fixed Wing: 2             Water Tenders: 3

Current Conditions

The Ranch 2 Fire burned most actively to the north yesterday and made it to Pine Mountain Peak but did not damage the repeaters on the peak. Firefighters have focused on extending the containment line from the eastern perimeter along the Silver Mountain Ridge up to Pine Mountain.  There was little growth on the fire last night.

For today’s actions, two fire crews will be flown in on the east side for an overnight assignment to strengthen the containment line on the east side.  Dozers will be used to strengthen the northern fire line today supported by retardant drops by air tankers and helicopters if the fire area is clear and visibility is good.  The crews that are spiked out on the western fire perimeter are building line to the north and are continuing to scout for strategic places to build line to the northwest of the fire.  Firefighters continue to mop up and backhaul trash and equipment on the southern boundary near the Mountain Cove community and there is little heat in this area.

Weather challenges for today include high temperatures, dry conditions, possible thunderstorms to the east this afternoon and the Excessive Heat Warning that has been extended through Thursday.  The steep and rugged terrain of the San Gabriel mountains along with the dense mixed chaparral fuels complete the fuel-topography-weather conditions that make this a complex incident for firefighters.

Evacuations: All evacuations for the Ranch 2 Fire have been lifted.

Road Closures:

·         San Gabriel Canyon Road/Hwy 39 – Closed at Northbound Hwy 39 at Sierra Madre Avenue. Southbound Hwy 39 is closed at East Fork Road ·         Glendora Mountain Road – Closed from Big Dalton to East Fork ·         Glendora Ridge Road – Closed from Glendora Mountain Road to Mt. Baldy Road ·         Santa Anita Canyon Road – Closed from Arno Drive to Chantry Flats Road

For more information on road closures due to the Ranch 2 Fire, please visit both the Caltrans website: http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ and the LA County Public Works Website: https:dpw.lacounty.gov/roadclosures/

Angeles National Forest Fire Restrictions:  The Fire Danger today on the Angeles National Forest is EXTREME and new Fire Restrictions are now in effect for this Forest.

The following activities are currently prohibited:

1.      Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire. 2.      Smoking 3.      Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame 4.      Discharging a firearm, air rifle or gas gun, except in the authorized public shooting ranges.

Please see https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/angeles/home and go to “Alerts and Warnings” on the right-hand side of the homepage for this and other Forest Orders.

Air Quality Impacts:  Please visit http://californiasmokeinfo.blogspot.com/ for current information.