Ranch Fire Update for August 16 2020

Public Information                           
Phone: (626) 574-5208
Incident Website:
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6961

INCIDENT INFORMATION

Start Date: 08/13/2020                                         Size: 2,256 acres

Location: San Gabriel Canyon (Hwy 39)             Containment: 7%

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

Assigned Resources

Hand Crew: 5                          Engines: 9                   Dozers: 3                     Total Personnel: 286

Helicopters: 4                          Fixed Wing: 2             Water Tenders: 3

Current Conditions

Yesterday, high temperatures, slope, aspect and winds “came into alignment”, as firefighters say, and the fire at the bottom of Roberts Canyon became very active and moved upslope and into several side drainages.  The dense mixed-chaparral fuels that burned in this area resulted in the large pyrocumulus cloud formation above the Ranch 2 Fire area yesterday afternoon.

All aircraft were grounded yesterday afternoon due to a drone flying in the fire area.  The drone was spotted at 6 PM and aircraft were grounded for the night. Please note there is a temporary flight restriction over the fire and vicinity, and it is ILLEGAL to fly drones within the restricted area.  Remember, “When you fly, we can’t”.

Active burning along the east, north and west flanks of the Ranch 2 Fire is expected today.  Three crews will be shuttled via helicopter to build fire line along the western perimeter today and will spike camp in this area for several days.  Dozers will be actively building fire line along the east and northern perimeter as well.

Weather conditions will be hot and dry today with a chance of unstable air from potential thunderstorm activity nearby later this afternoon.  The steep, rugged terrain and dense fuels are driving the Ranch 2 fire growth.

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

Road Closures: