Bridgeport, CA. September 7, 2020– A Red Flag Warning was issued today for the area that includes the Slink Fire, indicating conditions for extreme fire behavior.  Fire behavior increased due to strong winds gusting near 30 mph on the north side of the fire near Mineral Mountain. Crews worked diligently to secure the fire perimeter, building direct and indirect fire lines on the northern edge of the fire. On the east side of the fire, fire personnel continued to patrol and re-enforce containment lines. The southern end of the fire had minimal growth today and crews worked on containment lines on the fire’s edge and worked on a contingency line on the ridgeline south from Fish Valley Peak. Using aviation resources, firefighters used bucket drops of water to cool off the fire so that crews could get closer and build line to stop the progression of the fire.

Crews completed a fuel break yesterday around Connell Cabin, along with installing pumps and hoses. Today and tomorrow, crews will wrap the structure with a special material that, while not fire-proof, does protect the structure from most radiant heat and burning embers. The crews will also install a sprinkler system.

For individuals that are affected by smoke, information can be obtained by going to: https://fires.airfire.org/outlooks/Humboldt-ToiyabeNF. The forecasted NW winds should clear smoke out of the valleys, helping areas like Bridgeport and the Mono Lake area. To the north, Carson City and Yerington should also see improved air quality, although, smoke from fires to the north could reach these communities this evening.

An expanded closure order has been put in place by the US Forest Service for the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest due to the changing conditions of the Slink Fire.  To view the updated closure order, please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7105/55024/.Additionally, the Bureau of Land Management issued a Closure Order for the fire area, for information please go to: https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-temporarily-closes-public-lands-support-slink-fire-suppression-efforts  Heenan Lake remains closed to the public.

Bridgeport, CA. September 6, 2020– Firefighters have continued to have success on the north and east sides of the fire. Crews and engines continue to secure the containment line along the east flank of the fire, as well as addressing any hot spots which present themselves. Today the weather is going to influence fire behavior and how the fire spreads. With winds expected to produce gusts up to 30 mph, along with hot temperatures and low humidity, fire personnel will implement strategies to prevent fire growth along containment lines. Fire is continuing to spread in those areas where there are available pockets of fuel, coupled with steep wind-impacted terrain. 

The Soda Springs Ranger Station was prepped yesterday using a special fire wrapping that, while not fire-proof, does protect the structure from most radiant heat and burning embers. A sprinkler system was also installed around the building to prevent fire damage. In addition to these preventative measures, a fuel break was created around Connell Cabin, and crews also installed pumps and hoses.

There are no State Highway closures and no evacuations in place due to the Slink Fire.  We urge the public to stay out of the closure area in place by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management. Heenan Lake remains closed to the public.

An expanded closure order has been put in place by the US Forest Service for the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest due to the changing conditions of the Slink Fire.  To view the updated closure order, please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7105/55024/.

Additionally, the Bureau of Land Management issued a Closure Order for the fire area, for information please go to: https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-temporarily-closes-public-lands-support-slink-fire-suppression-efforts.

Special Statement:

Fire:

Smoke:

The Carson–Iceberg Wilderness is a federal wilderness that encompasses 160,000 acres and was designated by the California Wilderness Act of 1984. This wilderness protects an area of High Sierra landscape with elevations from 4,800 feet to 11,462 feet, along the Sierra Mountains. The Humboldt-Toiyable National Forest and the Stanislaus National Forest manage this area. The wilderness supports large herds of mule deer and there is also good habitat for black bear. Another important species supported by both the Carson River and the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness is the Paiute Cutthroat Trout.  This trout is only native to Silver Spring Creek, which is a tributary of the Carson River’s east fork.  In keeping with one of the Slink Fire’s objectives, in coordination with Resource Advisors, extreme care is being taken to avoid all unnecessary disruptions to these critical habitats.  

An expanded closure order has been put in place by the US Forest Service for the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest due to the changing conditions of the Slink Fire.  To view the updated closure order, please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7105/55024/.  Heenan Lake closures remain in place.  Again, we ask the public to remain out of these closure areas for their safety, as well as the safety of fire personnel. Additionally, the Bureau of Land Management issued a Closure Order for the fire area, for information please go to: https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-temporarily-closes-public-lands-support-slink-fire-suppression-efforts.

Bridgeport, CA. September 6, 2020– Today, weather conditions will continue to play a large role in fire behavior. As we have been experiencing the last few days, Zephyr winds are expected to produce westerly gusts of 20 mph. The Lower Atmosphere Stability Index, or Haines Index, is used in fire weather to measure the stability and dryness of the air over a fire.  This index will indicate the potential a fire has to grow.  Haines Index ranges from 2 to 6, with 6 being the driest and most unstable lower atmosphere.  A Haines of 6 is expected to persist through today, as is the high heat and low humidity.   

Crews will work today to monitor and secure the width of the containment lines, and interior smokes, on the eastern, and south-eastern parts of the fire.  After walking the area, work will begin to establish a canopy break on the south of the fire that will run from Antelope Peak to Fish Valley Summit.  Again, there will be extreme fire behavior with crowning, running, mid to long-range spotting, with aggressive runs mainly on the western edge of the fire. Primary efforts continue to be focused on restricting fire spread in the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness on this western edge of the fire, as well as to the north and south flanks. 

An expanded closure order has been put in place by the US Forest Service for the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest due to the changing conditions of the Slink Fire.  To view the updated closure order, please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7105/55024/.  The previous closures, which may still be seen on the forest’s website, are superseded by the orders found on InciWeb.  The website will soon be updated as well.  Heenan Lake closures remain in place.  Again, we ask the public to remain out of these closure areas for their safety, as well as the safety of fire personnel.

Additionally, the Bureau of Land Management issued a Closure Order for the fire area, for information please go to: https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-temporarily-closes-public-lands-support-slink-fire-suppression-efforts.

A Smoke Outlook is now being reported daily. The report will be posted to https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7105 for easy access. Please utilize this report, smoke can be hazardous for children and people with breathing difficulties. In addition to the Slink Fire, multiple other fires in California have contributed to the dense smoke and poor air quality in the area. Visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ to view updated smoke impacts.

Fire Information:

·         Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7105/

·         Facebook: @HumboldtToiyabeNF #SlinkFire

·         Twitter: @HumboldtToiyabe #SlinkFire

·         Fire Information Line: 775-430-510

Special Statement: Yesterday, the Creek Fire in Sierra National Forest grew 36,000 acres and inundated the area with smoke - much of that smoke stayed aloft and dispersed, but impacts were still seen throughout the area, especially south of the Slink Fire.

Fire: The Slink Fire is now at 20,800 acres with containment up to 21%. The smoke from the Creek Fire halted aerial operations yesterday evening and are waiting for it to lift later this afternoon, which will also increase fire activity. Monday is expected to have northwesterly flow which could increase growth so crews are working to contain the south and northwest perimeter where the fire is most active.

Smoke: Smoke impacts from the both the Slink Fire and Creek Fire could be seen overhead at Woodfords and Ranchos yesterday, but most of the smoke stayed aloft - Carson City also stayed in Moderate without severely impacted by smoke. Yerington is seeing smoke impacts into Unhealthy this morning - it should lift this afternoon and NW winds later today may keep smoke out of Mason Valley tonight. Smoke did severely impact areas south of the Slink Fire - Bridgeport and Lee Vining were hit hard, with Lee Vining going into Hazardous air quality. Bridgeport is currently Unhealthy and trending down and expected to be USG for the day - please take precautions to protect yourself and reduce your exposure to smoke.

Bridgeport, CA. September 6, 2020– Today on the Slink Fire, moderate fire behavior was predominant in the morning as smoke settled in the valley, causing low visibility in the area, and limited the ability to conduct aviation missions for the day. When this smoke shifted in the afternoon, with fire spread heavily influenced by fuels and terrain, we began to see increased fire behavior. Fire spread was active in concentrated timber stands where winds aligned with slopes. As with all wildfires, the Incident Management Team is using a range of firefighting tactics to suppress the fire. Firefighters and engines are securing the line on the eastern and southern edge of the fire to ensure that the communities of Coleville and Walker, as well as the State Highway Corridors, are secure. In addition, crews continued to secure the southern perimeter of the fire to reduce the impact to the Marine Corps Training Area.

The Carson–Iceberg Wilderness is a federal wilderness that encompasses 160,000 acres and was designated by the California Wilderness Act of 1984. This wilderness protects an area of High Sierra landscape with elevations from 4,800 feet to 11,462 feet, along the Sierra Mountains. The Humboldt-Toiyable National Forest and the Stanislaus National Forest manage this area. The wilderness supports large herds of mule deer and there is also good habitat for black bear. Another important species supported by both the Carson River and the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness is the Paiute Cutthroat Trout.  This trout is only native to Silver Spring Creek, which is a tributary of the Carson River’s east fork.  In keeping with one of the Slink Fire’s objectives, in coordination with Resource Advisors, extreme care is being taken to avoid all unnecessary disruptions to these critical habitats.  

An expanded closure order has been put in place by the US Forest Service for the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest due to the changing conditions of the Slink Fire.  To view the updated closure order, please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7105/55024/.  The previous closures, which may still be seen on the forest’s website, are superseded by the orders found on InciWeb.  The website will soon be updated as well.  Heenan Lake closures remain in place.  Again, we ask the public to remain out of these closure areas for their safety, as well as the safety of fire personnel. Additionally, the Bureau of Land Management issued a Closure Order for the fire area, for information please go to: https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-temporarily-closes-public-lands-support-slink-fire-suppression-efforts.

A Smoke Outlook is now being reported daily. The report will be posted to  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7105. Please utilize this report, smoke can be hazardous for children and people with breathing difficulties. In addition to the Slink Fire, multiple other fires in California have contributed to the dense smoke and poor air quality in the area. Visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ to view updated smoke impacts.

Fire Information:

·         Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7105/

·         Facebook: @HumboldtToiyabeNF #SlinkFire

·         Twitter: @HumboldtToiyabe #SlinkFire

·         Fire Information Line: 775-430-510

Order Number 04-17-20-13

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FOREST SERVICE

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on all

Bridgeport, CA. September 5, 2020–Temperatures are expected to be extremely hot and dry today with ridgetop winds out of the east through the morning and expecting the winds to shift in the later afternoon out of the west. The fire is located in extremely steep terrain which can cause the wind to flow in various directions and affect the fire behavior. Heenan Lake is closed to the public.

Yesterday, fire personnel experienced extreme fire behavior with crowning and spotting. The fire continued to spread to the north and west. Additional resources were deployed to these areas. Fire managers expect the fire to continue to make uphill runs in the Silver King Creek drainage. The west side of the fire burned past Mineral Mountain towards the south. The northwest side of the fire is approaching the east fork of the Caron River. Firefighters are working to improve lines in the southern part of the fire to minimize effects to the Marine Corps Training Center and the Incident Management Team is working closely with the Marine Corps on scouting the training grounds south of the fire for potential contingency lines.

A Closure Order has been put in place by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest for the Slink Fire. The Order can be found by going to the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/htnf/alerts-notices/?aid=61374. We ask the public to please stay out of the area for their safety as well as the safety of the fire personnel.

Additionally, the Bureau of Land Management issued a Closure Order for the fire area, for information please go to:  https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-temporarily-closes-public-lands-support-slink-fire-suppression-efforts.

The Marine Corps has provided a day sleeping area for some of the night shift fire crews. The Marine Corps has also provided a crash rescue vehicle to the fire as an asset. Their efforts are much appreciated.

A Smoke Outlook is now being reported daily. The report will be posted to https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7105 for easy access. Please utilize this report, smoke can be hazardous for children and people with breathing difficulties.

In addition to the Slink Fire, multiple other fires in California have contributed to the dense smoke and poor air quality in the area. Visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ to view updated smoke impacts.

Fire Information:

·         Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7105/

·         Facebook: @HumboldtToiyabeNF #SlinkFire

·         Twitter: @HumboldtToiyabe #SlinkFire

·         Fire Information Line: 775-430-5103

Bridgeport, CA. September 4, 2020– The Slink Fire is burning in Ponderosa Pine, Pinyon-Juniper and mixed conifer. The fire is located in extremely steep terrain which can cause the wind to flow in various directions and affect the fire behavior. Temperatures are extremely hot and dry and a dry cold front is expected to continue in the area.

Today, fire personnel experienced extreme fire behavior with crowning and spotting. The fire continues to spread to the north and south of the fire and additional resources are being deployed to the area. The fire is burning in the Silver King Creek drainage. Firefighters are working to improve lines in the southern part of the fire to minimize effects to the Marine Corps Training Center and the Incident Management Team is working closely with the Marine Corps.

There are currently eleven helicopters assigned to the fire. Helicopters are used in a variety of ways:

Deliver firefighters, cargo and food to areas closer to the fire. They also support firefighters with bucket drops of water used to cool down the fire. There are three types of helicopters, Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3. Type 1 helicopters are the largest used on fires, carrying 700 to 2,800 gallons. Type 2 can carry 800 to 900 gallons and a Type 3 can carry up to 100 gallons. They are an important asset in firefighting efforts.

 A Closure Order has been put in place by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest for the Slink Fire. The Order can be found by going to the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/htnf/alerts-notices/?aid=61374. We ask the public to please stay out of the area for their safety as well as the safety of the fire personnel.

 Additionally, the Bureau of Land Management issued a Closure Order for the fire area, for information please go to:  https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-temporarily-closes-public-lands-support-slink-fire-suppression-efforts .

 The Marine Corps has provided a day sleeping area for some of the night shift fire crews. The Marine Corps has also provided a crash rescue vehicle to the fire as an asset. Their efforts are much appreciated.