Incident Information:
Start / Report Date: Aug. 18, 2020
Cause: Unknown
Fuels Involved: Chaparral, Brush, Timber understory
Size: 14,000
Location: Hwy 1(MM32.20) N of Limekiln State Park, 10 miles S of Big Sur
Containment: 10%
Injuries: 0

Resources:
Hand Crews: 6
Engines: 25
Dozers: 3
Helicopters: 4
Fixed wing: 1
Water Tenders: 3
Total Personnel: 400

Current Situation:

Today at 2:00 p.m. a 30 minute Facebook Live community meeting will be held on facebook.com/lospadresnationalforest. Please email questions in advance to 2020.dolan@firenet.gov.

Overnight point protection continued to be the focus of operations. Point protection refers to the preparation and defense of structures or other values in the fire’s path of spread. The three priorities for point protection are Hermitage, Partington Ridge and Anderson Peak communications infrastructure. As the threat diminishes and fire passes, these priorities will shift. As more resources arrive the operation will expand to include additional perimeter control operations.

Hot Shot crews are working on perimeter control on the north end of the fire off North Coast Ridge Road, where the fire had burned over the road, these firefighters are building fire line directly on the fire’s edge to prevent the possibility of further spread. Containment along the west side of the fire (10% so far) is expected to increase over the next few days as firefighters assure that the line is secure.

The fire remained active in the areas Hermitage and Lucia, along Highway 1, overnight. The fire spread slowly as fire backed down slope.

Today, operations will continue to focus on point protection and scouting for locations to build direct and indirect fire line. Fire spread will be mainly to the south, laterally along the coast ridge. Smoke from other fires in the area is shading the Dolan Fire. Though the smoke makes it difficult to locate the exact perimeter of the fire, it has the benefit of decreasing the direct sunlight and dampening fire behavior. In areas above the layer of smoke, or when the smoke lifts, fire behavior will become more active. As Tropical Depression Genevieve moves into the area, unstable air will likely lift the smoke layer and result in more active fire behavior.

The fire is threatening the communities of Hermitage, Partington Ridge, and Lucia. Multiple businesses, communications sites, parks and recreational sites are also threatened. Among natural resources threatened are the Ventana Wilderness and coastal watershed and habitat for threatened and endangered species, including the California condor.

Fire activity in the western United States has caused a high demand for fire personnel and equipment. The nation is in Preparedness Level 5 (PL5), the highest level. In PL5 over 80% of the nation’s incident management teams and wildland firefighting personnel are committed to incidents. Resource orders are being prioritized to fires across California and the west. Aircraft that can map a fire using infrared imagery used to determine acreage have not yet flown the fire. Acreage reported here is an estimate and will be updated when IR images are available.

Carmel Fire Info: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/18/carmel-fire/

River Fire Info: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/16/river-fire/

Updates and Meetings: Fire Information is producing two daily written updates. To request an update, email 2020.dolan@firenet.gov and provide your email address. A daily video update will be posted to the Los Padres National Forest Facebook page and Inciweb (See links in header). Additionally, a live online community meeting will be held on the Los Padres National Forest Facebook page today at 2:00 p.m.

Weather: Moisture from Tropical Depression Genevieve will bring mostly cloudy skies and cooler temperatures to the area today. A Fire Weather Watch has been issued from Sunday at 11:00 a.m. through Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. due to a potential for Thunderstorms.

Evacuations / Closures: Click here for an interactive map of Monterey County evacuations.

The closure of Highway 1 has changed. The highway is now closed near mile marker 38/Troy Canyon on the north and Hermitage on the south.

Smoke: The Monterey Bay Air Resources District has issued a Wildfire Air Quality Advisory. When the concentration of smoke has reached UNHEALTHY levels of the AQI, residents should limit their activity by staying indoors with the doors and windows closed to avoid breathing smoke.  Updates on the current air quality forecast and Air Monitoring data can be found at http://air.mbard.org/.
 

Alert Monterey County: To receive emergency notifications regarding evacuations and critical events in Monterey County please sign up for A!ert Monterey County at the following website. https://member.everbridge.net/453003085611217/login

Cooperating and Assisting Organizations: National Weather Service, California Highway Patrol, Monterey County Sheriff’s Department, Big Sur Volunteers, Cal Trans, California State Parks, OES, Ventana Wilderness Alliance.

Safety Message: Area residents are encouraged to prepare for the approach of fire in advance. Go to https://www.ready.gov/wildfires to learn how to prepare.

Smoke Outlook for 8/22 - 8/23

Central Coast Fires

Issued at: 2020-08-22 08:26 PDT

Special Statement

For detailed information on local air quality advisories, please see the links below.

A Fire Weather Watch for Dry Lightning is in effect from midday Sunday until midday Monday.

Fire Information

River Fire: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/16/riverfire/

Carmel Fire: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/18/carmel-fire/

Dolan Fire: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7018/

Smoke

Smoke conditions throughout the forecast zone will see Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) to Hazardous air quality throughout the day. Numerous regional fires are impacting the forecast zone.

Other

Air quality may change unexpectedly. Everyone should try and limit their outdoor activity in these unhealthy air quality conditions.

Incident Information:

Start / Report Date: Aug. 18, 2020
Cause: Unknown
Fuels Involved: Chaparral, Brush, Timber understory
Size: 8,500
Location: Hwy 1(MM32.20) N of Limekiln State Park, 10 miles S of Big Sur
Containment: 0
Injuries: 0

Resources:

Hand Crews: 6
Engines: 25
Dozers: 3
Helicopters: 4
Fixed wing: 1
Water Tenders: 3
Total Personnel: 400

Current Situation: The Dolan Fire was reported August 18, 2020, just after 8:00 p.m. Active Fire behavior was observed with long range spotting, uphill runs, flanking and backing fire. California Interagency Incident Management Team 2, under the command of Mike Minton entered into unified command with Big Sur Fire this morning at 6:00 a.m.

Today priorities focused on the preparation and protection of structures on the north and south ends of the fire. On the north end, in the Partington Ridge area, an Evacuation Warning was upgraded to an Evacuation Order. Firefighters are prepping for structure protection and building fire line around an area that burnt across the North Coast Ridge Road yesterday. This fire is burning in the Sobranes Fire scar. Confidence that this fire will be caught is high.

The fire was active today in the area of Hermitage. Bulldozers were used to build a protection line to the north of threatened structures and firefighters prepped around the structures in the area. The dozer line is expected to be challenged by the fire again tomorrow. The primary fire spread today was to the south.

Firefighters will also be working in the area of Anderson Peak. Communications infrastructure for multiple agencies is threatened. Crews will be removing vegetation and cutting lines around this site.

A layer of smoke remained over most of the fire area again today making it difficult to ascertain the exact location of the fire’s perimeter. One big concern is San Vicente Creek on the south end. This information is important in planning the strategy for control of the south end. The current control objectives are to keep the fire south of Partington Ridge, north of Nacimiento Fergusson Road, east of Highway 1, and west of Coast Ridge Road.

The fire is threatening the communities of Partington Ridge, Big Sur and Lucia. Multiple businesses, communications sites, parks and recreational sites are also threatened. Among natural resources threatened are the Ventana Wilderness and coastal watershed and habitat for threatened and endangered species, including the California condor.

Fire activity in the western United States has caused a high demand for fire personnel and equipment. The nation is in Preparedness Level 5 (PL5), the highest level. In PL5 over 80% of the nation’s incident management teams and wildland firefighting personnel are committed to incidents. Resource orders are being prioritized to fires across California and the west.

Updates and Meetings: Fire Information is producing two daily written updates. To request an update email 2020.dolan@firenet.gov and provide your email. A daily video update will be posted to the Los Padres National Forest Facebook page and Inciweb (See links in header). Additionally, a live online community meeting will be held on the Los Padres National Forest Facebook page tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.

Weather: Tomorrow clouds from former Hurricane Genevieve are expected to move over the fire area in the afternoon. Saturday night through Sunday morning there is a slight chance of dry thunderstorms. A Fire Weather Watch has been issued from Sunday at 11:00 a.m. through Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. due to a potential for Thunderstorms.

Evacuations / Closures: Click here for an interactive map of Monterey County evacuations.

The Partington Ridge community Evacuation Warning was upgraded to an Evacuation Order this morning. Though the order was in effect immediately, residents will have until 9:00 a.m. on Saturday to move belongings from their property.

The closure of Highway 1 has changed. The highway is now closed near mile marker 38/Troy Canyon on the north and Hermitage on the south.

Smoke: The Monterey Bay Air Resources District has issued a Wildfire Air Quality Advisory. When the concentration of smoke has reached UNHEALTHY levels of the AQI, residents should limit their activity by staying indoors with the doors and windows closed to avoid breathing smoke.  Updates on the current air quality forecast and Air Monitoring data can be found at http://air.mbard.org/.

Carmel Fire Info: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/18/carmel-fire/

River Fire Info: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/16/river-fire/

Alert Monterey County: To receive emergency notifications regarding evacuations and critical events in Monterey County please sign up for A!ert Monterey County at the following website. https://member.everbridge.net/453003085611217/login

Cooperating and Assisting Organizations: National Weather Service, California Highway Patrol, Monterey County Sheriff’s Department, Big Sur Volunteers, Cal Trans, California State Parks, OES, Ventana Wilderness Alliance

Safety Message: Area residents are encouraged to prepare for the approach of fire in advance. Go to https://www.ready.gov/wildfires to learn how to prepare.

8-21-2020/1130 hrs Mandatory evacuation order is in place for the following area:

HWY 1 @ Anderson Canyon

(Post mile 35)

North to:

HWY 1 @ Torre Canyon

(Post mile 39)

West of hwy 1 to Pacific Ocean

East Hwy 1 to North Coast Ridge Rd.

To include Partington Ridge Road.

-BREAK-

Mandatory evacuation order in place for the following area:

HWY 1 @ Nacimiento Ferguson Rd.

(Post mile 19)

North to:

HWY 1 @ Anderson Canyon

(Post mile 35)

West of hwy 1 to Pacific Ocean

East of Hwy 1 to North Coast Ridge Rd. And Cone Peak Road

-BREAK-

(The below writing encompasses the whole area that is under Mandatory Evacuation Area)

Mandatory evacuation order in place for the following area:

HWY 1 @ Nacimiento Ferguson Rd.

(Post mile 19)

North to:

HWY 1 @ Torre Canyon

(Post mile 39)

West of hwy 1 to Pacific Ocean

East Hwy 1 to North Coast Ridge Rd./Cone Peak Rd.

To include Partington Ridge Road.

Incident Information:
Start / Report Date: Aug. 18, 2020
Cause: Unknown
Fuels Involved: Chaparral, Brush, Timber understory
Size: 8,500
Location: 6 miles N. of Lime Kiln State Park. 10 miles S. of Big Sur
Containment: 0
Injuries: 0

Resources:
Hand Crews: 6
Engines: 20
Dozers: 2
Helicopters: 4
Fixed wing: 1
Water Tenders: 2
Total Personnel: 335
 
Nearby Fires: 
Carmel Fire
River Fire

Current Situation: The Dolan Fire was reported August 18, 2020, just after 8:00 p.m. Active Fire behavior was observed with long range spotting, uphill runs, flanking and backing fire. The fire was initially managed by local resources but due to the extensive history of large fires in the area, statewide resource issues and a high degree of complexity, a decision was quickly made to request a Type 1 incident management team. California Interagency Incident Management Team 2, under the command of Mike Minton entered into unified command with Big Sur Fire this morning at 6:00 a.m.

The fire is burning on private, state and federal lands, including the Ventana Wilderness. Fire behavior is expected to be much the same as it was yesterday. An inversion shaded the fire and limited fire growth but fire behavior was still active on peaks above the inversion. Due to the inversion, the helicopters assigned to the incident were unable to fly on the Dolan Fire yesterday. They were able to provide some assistance to the Carmel Fire.

Firefighters will take advantage of these weather conditions today as they continue their physical assessment of the fire area. Firefighters on scene will be using infrared imagery and physically scouting the area to locate the fire’s edge and barriers that could potentially be used as fire control line. The current control objectives are to keep the fire south of Partington Ridge, north of Nacimiento Fergusson Road, east of Highway 1, and west of Coast Ridge Road.

The fire is threatening the communities of Partington Ridge, Big Sur and Lucia. Multiple businesses, communications sites, parks and recreational sites are also threatened. Among natural resources threatened are the Ventana Wilderness and coastal watershed and habitat for threatened and endangered species, including the California condor.

Fire activity in the western United States has caused a high demand for fire personnel and equipment. The nation is in Preparedness Level 5 (PL5), the highest level. In PL5 over 80% of the nation’s incident management teams and wildland firefighting personnel are committed to incidents. 

Weather: A low pressure trough will hold the inversion over the area today. Fire behavior will be similar to Thursday. With the arrival of Hurricane Genevieve in the Eastern Pacific on Saturday humidity will increase and air will become unstable potentially leading to more active fire behavior.

Evacuations / Closures: Click here for an interactive map of Monterey County evacuations.

Highway 1 is closed between Pfeiffer State Park on the north and Lucia on the south.

Smoke: The Monterey Bay Air Resources District has issued a Wildfire Air Quality Advisory. When the concentration of smoke has reached UNHEALTHY levels of the AQI, residents should limit their activity by staying indoors with the doors and windows closed to avoid breathing smoke.  Updates on the current air quality forecast and Air Monitoring data can be found at http://air.mbard.org/.

Alert Monterey County: To receive emergency notifications regarding evacuations and critical events in Monterey County please sign up for A!ert Monterey County at the following website. https://member.everbridge.net/453003085611217/login

Cooperating and Assisting Organizations: National Weather Service, California Highway Patrol, Monterey County Sheriff’s Department, Big Sur Volunteers, Cal Trans, California State Parks, OES, Ventana Wilderness Alliance.

Safety Message: Area residents are encouraged to prepare for the approach of fire in advance. Go to https://www.ready.gov/wildfires to learn how to prepare.

 Hear from the Agency Administrator, Fire Operations, Fire Behavior Specialist and the Incident Commander as they explain the plan of attack for the Salt Fire, Gin Fire and Griffin Fire.

 https://www.facebook.com/watch/SaltGinGriffinFire

Order Number: 03-12-00-20-399
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
FOREST SERVICE TONTO NATIONAL FOREST
GLOBE, AND TONTO BASIN RANGER DISTRICTS

Salt, Gin and Griffin Fire Public Safety Closure Order

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following acts are prohibited within the
area described in this Order (the “Restricted Area”) and as depicted on the attached map, hereby
incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A, all within the Tonto National Forest, Maricopa and Gila
Counties, Arizona.

1.   Going into or being upon the Restricted Area.  36 C.F.R. § 261.52(e).

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1.   Persons with a written Forest Service authorization specifically exempting them from the
effect of this Order.

2.   Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of any organized rescue or firefighting
resource in the performance of an official duty.

RESTRICTED AREA

All National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the boundary beginning at the
intersection of National Forest System Road (NFSR) 216 and U.S. Highway (U.S.) 60, then following
northwest along the southwest edge of NFSR 216 to its intersection with Hess Canyon, then following
Hess Canyon northwest to NFSR 303, then following southwest along the eastern edge of NFSR 303 to
NFSR 645, then following the southern edge of NFSR 645 to NFSR 346, then following the western edge
of NFSR 346 to the Salt River, then following the southern bank of the Salt River in a general
southwesterly direction to Arizona State Route (SR) 288, then following the eastern edge of SR 288
in a southwesterly direction to its intersection with SR 188, then following the southwest edge of
SR 188 in a general northwesterly direction to its
intersection with NFSR 449, then following the southeastern edge of NFSR 449 in a
southwesterly direction to its intersection with NFSR 449A, then following the east edge of
NFSR 449A to the Campaign Creek trailhead for National Forest System Trail (NFST) 256 (Campaign
Creek Trail), then following the eastern edge of NFST 256 south to its intersection with NFST 212
(Miles Ranch Trail), then following the northern edge of NFST 212 east to the Miles Ranch
Trailhead, then following the northern edge of NFSR 287A east to NFSR 287, then following the
eastern edge of NFSR 287 in a general southeasterly direction to US 60, then following along the
northern and western edges of US 60 in a general northeasterly direction (excluding non-National
Forest System lands) to its intersection with NFSR 330, then following the north edge of NFSR 330
in a general southeasterly direction to its intersection with the San Carlos Apache Reservation,
then following the National Forest/San Carlos Apache Reservation boundary in a northeasterly
direction to its intersection with NFSR 2326, then following the north edge of NFSR 2326 in a
northwesterly direction back to the point of beginning at the intersection U.S. 60 and NFSR 216, as
shown in the map in Exhibit A.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to close the Restricted Area during firefighting and emergency
operations for the protection of public health and safety.

IMPLEMENTATION

1.   This Order will be effective on August 21, 2020, at  1200    , and shall remain in effect
until September 30, 2020, or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.

2.   A map identifying the Restricted Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A.

3.   Any violation of this prohibition is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more
than $5,000 for individuals or $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six
(6) months, or both (see 16 U.S.C. § 551, 18 U.S.C. § 3571(b)(6),
18 U.S.C. § 3581(b)(7)).

4.   Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at the Tonto National Forest
Supervisor’s Office in Phoenix, Arizona, (602)225-5200, or at Mesa Ranger District Office,
(480)610-3300.

Dated this 21st day of August 2020, at Phoenix, Arizona

/s/ NEIL BOSWORTH
Forest Supervisor

New Areas on “Set” and “Go” Evacuation Status
 

Salt Fire

Location: 11 miles north of Globe, AZ near the junction of Hwy. 188 and SR 288

Cause: Lightning

Percent containment: 0%

Fire Strategy: Full Suppression

Size: 13,000 acres

Vegetation: Sonoran Desert Grass and Brush

Gin Fire

Location: 5 miles northeast of Globe, AZ in the Apache mountains west of Hwy. 60

Cause: Lightning

Percent containment: 0%

Fire Strategy: Full Suppression

Size: 3,600 acres

Vegetation: Grass and Brush

Griffin Fire

Location: 1.5 miles north of the Gin Fire

Cause: Lightning

Size: 1000 acres

Percent containment: 0%

Vegetation: Grass and Brush

Fire Strategy: Full Suppression

 Fire activity:

Salt Fire: There was minimal fire activity on the east side of Hwy. 188 yesterday. There were two small spot fires near Pringle Pump and a 4-acre spot fire on the west side of SR 288 that crews were able to contain. The fire was most active west of Hwy. 188. Heavy smoke impacted the 500 KV powerlines operated by SRP and APS yesterday afternoon. They expect the fire to be active in the Granite Basin area today. Crews will work to minimize impacts to the values at risk in the area which include communities near Wheatfields and Roosevelt, Pinto Valley Mine, APS/SRP powerlines, and Hwy 188/288.

Gin Fire: The fire was most active on the northwest side yesterday in the Apache Mountains. Firefighters are using bulldozers and heavy equipment to clear along the existing road system to connect FR 220 to FR 224 in order to secure the southwest flank of the fire.

Griffin Fire: The fire backed down hill yesterday to the east. This morning the fire has moved east and is impcting State Highway 60. ADOT has temporarily closed the highway in both directions. Visit AZ511.gov for the latest information. Today crews will scout the north and east sides of the fire looking for holding features they may use to create containment lines.

Communities Affected: As a result of the Salt Fire, the Gila County Sheriff's Office and Gila County Emergency Management have recommended that the following areas be placed on "SET" mode on the Ready Set, Go! model: areas on both sides of Hwy 188 from Bixby Road to the 188/288 junction all of Wheatfields. This includes the areas between H&E Ranch and Pringle Pump, Roosevelt Estates, Roosevelt Resort, Rockhouse, Spring Creek, Hay Hook, and Quail Run.

THESE COMMUNITIES ARE NOT IMMEDIATELY THREATENED, THE 'SET' NOTIFICATION IS A PREPARATORY MEASURE.

For more emergency alert information, visit http://www.readygila.com/

Smoke: Overnight smoke from all three fires has flowed down the Pinal Creek drainage and settled into the Roosevelt Lake area. Yesterday Wheatfields, and communities around Roosevelt Lake and Tonto Basin areas were most affected by smoke. The Globe-Miami area and San Carlos may also be impacted by smoke depending on prevailing winds. Salt Wildfire Smoke Forecast can be found at: https://azdeq.gov/WildfireForecast?fire=saltfire

Weather: Winds are expected to be from the southwest from 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon with the possibility of strong outflow winds from thunderstorms in the evening up to 23 mph. Temperatures will range from 74 to 97 with a 20 percent chance of rain in the afternoon.

Values: Fire fighter and public safety are the highest priorities on these fires. The fire area includes multiple communities, power lines, mines, range improvements and historical sites, which firefighters are working hard to assess and protect.

Closures and Restrictions: ADOT has Hwy. 188 closed from the north end of Wheatfields Rd. north to mile marker 232 near Roosevelt. SR 288 is closed from the junction of Hwy. 188 to FR 465. For more updates on highway closures and restrictions visit: https://www.az511.gov/

More Info: Official information on the fire can be found on these sites. Salt Fire Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7019/

Gin Fire Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7017/

Griffin Fire Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7020/

Incident Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Salt-Gin-Griffin-Fire-100936588404764/?modal=admin_todo_tour

US-60 is closed from mile marker 269 to mile marker 266. Go to www.az511.com for current road conditions.