Ranch2 Fire

RANCH 2 FIRE      

                                   AUGUST 21, 2020

         Angeles National Forest:

         www.fs.usda.gov/angeles

         Facebook: facebook.com/angelesnationalforest

         Twitter: twitter.com/Angeles_NF

Public Information                             

Phone: (747) 322-6643

Incident Website:

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6961

INCIDENT INFORMATION

Start Date: 08/13/2020                                          Size: 4,237 acres

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

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

Assigned Resources

Hand Crew: 10                                   Engines: 20                 Dozers: 2         Total Personnel: 500

Helicopters: 4                                      Fixed Wing: 1             Water Tenders: 6

Current Conditions

The Ranch 2 Fire remained quiet last evening and has not been very active.  The fire perimeter appears to be stable and holding.  Crews assigned to the southern, eastern, and northern flanks are continuing their patrol, mop-up and firebreak reinforcement missions, looking for any concentrations of heat and strengthening the containment lines.  Although there are some reports of heat in the deeper drainage sections of the fire, particularly around the Pine Mountain region in the northwest shoulder, crews are confident that they are not a threat, and will continue to monitor and mitigate those areas as needed.  Line construction on the western flank is also moving along, although the heat and terrain remain challenging to the crews.  There have been eight cases of heat related injuries so far on the Ranch 2 fire. Four of the firefighters were able to return to work.  The others were hospitalized and released.

Over the next 24 hours, personnel will continue working, reinforcing our lines and mitigating any hot spots near the perimeter.  Crews will be building containment lines on the western edge of the fire between Fern Canyon and Cold Creek Canyon, and expect to tie that section in with the rest of our lines soon.  While these operations are ongoing, we have begun the process of backhauling equipment, hose, and trash off the lines in accordance with our policies.  Air operations have been quite valuable to the accomplishment of these missions, providing resupply, backhaul, and mop-up support to all divisions.

The weather service has extended the excessive heat warning through 2200 hrs.  Temperatures in the area remain higher than average, with temps ranging from 90-95 degrees.  Winds remain at 6-9 mph with gusts along the peaks around 18 mph.  Genevieve (now rated as a tropical storm), is predicted to remain on a northwest path, remaining off the shore of California.  Although it is not expected to affect our weather today, it may introduce some shifting winds and moisture to the area on Saturday & Sunday.

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 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.