Bridgeport, CA. September 1st, 2020– The Slink Fire behavior moderated today and hard work by firefighters has increased the containment to 10%. All evacuations in the towns of Walker and Coleville have been lifted and Highway 395 is now open to traffic.

The fire is now 11,000 acres. Air operations have been a challenge for the Slink Fire due to dense smoke creating poor visibility in the last few days. Today, however, clearer air gave aircraft the opportunity to engage in firefighting efforts for the entire operational shift. Several retardant drops were made by heavy airtankers, single engine airtankers and very large airtankers, also known as VLATS. A VLAT is a converted passenger jetliner that can carry up to 12,000 gallons of fire retardant. The combination of fixed wing retardant drops and helicopter water drops greatly supported firefighters on the eastern and southern portions of the fire.

Because of the proximity to the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, the Marine Corps personnel have offered assistance to the fire. They are being utilized in several ways to support the fire camp and logistical needs.

 “The cooperation between the Marine Corps and the Incident Management team has been outstanding. They have been a valuable asset and we greatly appreciate their help. When we have needed anything, we didn’t even have to ask, they were already doing it,” said Scott Fraser, Sierra Front Team 2 Incident Commander.

A type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered and will be taking over the fire in the next few days.

Bridgeport, CA. September 1st, 2020– The Slink Fire, influenced by dry fuels, topography and winds, made a significant run towards the towns of Walker and Coleville yesterday afternoon. Fire behavior moderated somewhat overnight but continued to grow and evacuations and road closures all remain in effect. The fire is currently estimated at 8,300 acres and 5% contained.

Today, firefighters will continue their work, going directly along the fire’s edge wherever possible to work to increase containment and slow progression of the fire. Structure protection will continue to take place should the need arise. Because of the predicted weather and fuel conditions, the fire has the potential to exhibit similar behavior as was seen yesterday. Fire officials would like to urge the public and area residents to stay up to date with current fire conditions and be prepared in case the fire makes another run today. Visit https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/ready-set-go/ for evacuation checklists and information on how to be prepared.

Additional resources have been ordered, however, due to significant fire activity in the state and across the nation, fire resources are in high demand and not always readily available. A type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered and will be arriving in the next day.

Air operations have been a challenge for the Slink Fire due to dense smoke. 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.

Bridgeport, CA. August 31st, 2020– Influenced by dry fuels, topography and winds, the Slink Fire made a substantial run towards the towns of Walker and Coleville at approximately 3 p.m. this afternoon. The fire has grown to 6,500 acres, with 5% containment.

The follow areas are under evacuation:

Bridgeport, CA. August 31st  2020– The Slink Fire, located in the Slinkard Valley two miles west of Coleville, California, saw another active night last night. Around 6 p.m., fire behavior and activity increased, especially on the south end of the fire near the Rodriguez Flat area, burning in heavier fuels. Also on the south end, the fire got established into Snodgrass Creek area, a tributary to Silver King Creek.

Yesterday, crews worked to secure an anchor point in Slinkard Valley. Air operations were able to aid suppression efforts in the morning, however, fixed wing operations were suspended midafternoon due to dense smoke and poor visibility. Several retardant drops were made to hamper future ignition and slow the fire’s eastward spread. Helicopters were able to continue their work cooling areas of the fire with bucket drops throughout the entire day.

Today, firefighters will be going directly along the fire’s edge wherever possible, using hose to cool the fire edge as well as constructing handline in several areas of the fire. Three hotshot crews have now arrived on the fire and will be inserted in various places on the fire to construct and secure handline, which is the clearing away vegetation down to mineral soil in order to create a barrier between the fire and its future fuel sources. A dozer will also be utilized to construct fire breaks, particularly near communities for added precaution. Several helicopters will aid in the suppression effort today, along with fixed wing aircraft if conditions allow. Another mapping flight is planned for this evening, which will likely show an increase in acreage.

The Little Antelope Pack Station on Mill Creek Road has been evacuated as a precaution. There are currently no other evacuations or closures.

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.

Weather conditions can greatly affect fire behavior so they are closely monitored by fire managers and firefighters. A dry cold front is expected to bring gusty northwest winds and much lower humidity, resulting in critical conditions this afternoon and evening.

Bridgeport, CA. August 30th, 2020– The Slink Fire, located in the Slinkard Valley two miles west of Coleville, California, burned actively throughout the day’s operational shift, growing to 4,762 acres with 5% containment. The fire continues to exhibit extreme fire behavior due to dry fuel conditions, winds and topography alignment.

Today, firefighters experienced some crown fire, uphill runs and short range spotting as the fire spread in all directions. Air operations were able to aid suppression efforts in the morning, however, fixed wing operations were suspended midafternoon due to dense smoke and poor visibility. Helicopters were able to continue their work cooling areas of the fire with bucket drops throughout the entire day. The main focus of today’s operations was the east side of the fire above the community of Coleville, California, where several retardant drops were made to hamper future ignition and slow the fire’s eastward spread. Retardant is an effective suppression tactic but needs to be used in conjunction with firefighters on the ground, so hotshot crews will be inserted into the area tomorrow to secure the work of today’s aircraft with handline.

Fire crews also continued working today to strengthen an anchor point in Slinkard Valley. An anchor point is an advantageous location where firefighters can start building fireline. A good anchor point is important, as it minimizes the chance of being flanked by fire while the line is being constructed.

The Little Antelope Pack Station on Mill Creek Road has been evacuated as a precaution. There are currently no other evacuations or closures.

Sierra Front Team 2 (Fraser), a type 3 Incident Management Team, took over command of the Slink Fire this afternoon. Resources continue to arrive on the fire, though significant fire activity throughout the nation means firefighters are in high demand and not always readily available.

 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.

Weather conditions can greatly affect fire behavior so they are closely monitored by fire managers and firefighters. A dry cold front is expected to bring gusty northwest winds and much lower humidity, resulting in critical conditions tomorrow afternoon and evening.

Slink Fire Update

Bridgeport Ranger District, August 30th, 8 a.m.

Bridgeport, CA. August 30th, 2020– The Slink Fire, located in the Slinkard Valley southwest of Topaz Lake, burned actively throughout the night and is currently estimated at 1500 acres with 0% containment. The fire has been exhibiting extreme and erratic fire behavior due to dry fuel conditions, winds and topography alignment. It is moving east toward Coleville, south towards Little Antelope and west toward the Iceberg Wilderness, burning in pinyon juniper and grass.

The Little Antelope Pack Station on Mill Creek Road has been evacuated as a precaution. There are currently no other evacuations or closures.

Yesterday, fixed wing aircraft was unable to launch due to limited visibility from drift smoke from the ongoing California wildfires, so firefighters work to establish an anchor point on the north end, or heel, of the fire. Today, firefighters are hoping for clearer conditions and have ordered multiple helicopters and air tankers to aid in suppression efforts. The primary focus will be the eastern edge of the fire, which is currently about a mile from Coleville, California. Additional ground crews have also been ordered, along with a Type 3 Interagency Incident Management Team, who will be arriving on the fire today.

Weather conditions can greatly affect fire behavior so they are closely monitored by fire managers and firefighters. Today’s weather is expected to present gusty winds and low humidity levels, which may further affect fire behavior.

Slink Fire on the Bridgeport Ranger District Grows to an Estimated 1000 Acres

Bridgeport, CA. August 29th, 2020 – The Slink Fire was reported on August 29th at 6 p.m. in the Slinkard Valley southwest of Topaz Lake. It is estimated to be 1000 acres burning in pinyon juniper, sage and grass and was a result of recent lightning in the area.

Ground resources have been working to establish an anchor point, which is an advantageous location where firefighters can start building fireline. A helicopter was able to assist in cooling off portions of the fire for ground crews, but fixed wing aircraft were not able to launch from Reno due to visibility issues from the drift smoke from other California wildfires.

There is an advisory evacuation for the Little Antelope Pack Station on Mill Creek Road. Currently, there are no other evacuations or closures.

The fire is exhibiting extreme behavior, even late at night. Additional crews and aircraft have been ordered and are expected to arrive on the fire tomorrow. Currently, the Slink Fire is 0% contained and firefighters will continue to work throughout the night.

Weather conditions can greatly affect fire behavior so they are closely monitored by fire managers and firefighters. Tomorrow’s weather forecast is expected to bring gusty north winds and low humidity into the region.  

Follow the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest on Facebook @HumboldtToiyabeNF (#SlinkFire) and Twitter @HumboldtToiyabe (#SlinkFire).    

Ranger Hill Fire: 133 acres, 100% contained
Location: 8 miles east of Ranger, Texas

The Ranger Hill Fire is 133 acres and 100% contained. This fire will be transferred back to local resources to monitor. 

Ranger Hill Fire: 133 acres, 95% contained
Location: 8 miles east of Ranger, Texas and just south of Palo Pinto Mountains State Park
Resources: 22

The fire looked good yesterday with very few smokes interior. Crews monitored throughout the day, looking for heat. 

Today, ground resources will be patrolling fireline and mopping up as needed.

Fire Weather: Numerous thunderstorms are expected across the region today through Wednesday. These storms will contain frequent lightning and gusty, erratic winds, which may occur several miles away from the parent thunderstorm. The chance of a wetting rainfall is high with 1-3 inches possible through Wednesday night. It will be hot and humid today with temperatures in the mid 90 degrees with minimum relative humidity around 46 percent. A breezy south wind will continue for most of the day with a shift to the west possible late this afternoon. The remainder of the week will remain unsettled with multiple opportunities for rain and thunderstorms.

Ranger Hill Fire: 133 acres, 95% contained
Location: 8 miles east of Ranger, Texas and just south of Palo Pinto Mountains State Park
Resources: 29

The Ranger Hill Fire is three starts that merged into one. This fire was actively burning yesterday. Crews utilized heavy equipment to construct containment lines while engines were engaged in mop up across the fire area. Burn out operations were conducted to strengthen containment lines and remove unburned vegetation between the lines and active fire edge. These burns proved to be very successful and were aided by high humidity in the afternoon. Aviation resources were heavily utilized during initial attack and made efficient work in checking the fire and slowing fire spread.

Today, ground resources will be patrolling fireline and mopping up as needed.

Fire Weather: Isolated showers and a possible thunderstorm is possible this morning and into the afternoon. Severe weather is possible. Afternoon temperatures will be 100 degrees Fahrenheit with a heat index between 105-110, and cooler temperatures will return tonight. Winds will be out of the south at 10-15 mph.