Quarry Fire Update

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Stanislaus National Forest                                                        PIO Contacts: 

Incident Management Team (Type-3)                                       Phylis Ashmead, phyllis.ashmead@gmail.com

                                                                                                 Eugenie Moore,  eugenie.moore@usda.gov

Fire Statistics:

Location: The Quarry Fire is located on the Miwok Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest, off Forest Road 3N01, east of Bourland Creek and approximately four miles west of the Emigrant Wilderness Border.

Acres Burned Today: 1,263                             Cause: Lightning                   Injuries: 0

Acres Burned to Date: 3,368                           Total Personnel: 139

Background: The Quarry fire was one of many fires ignited by lightning strikes across the forest on September 9, 2023.  District fire managers immediately worked to ensure these naturally ignited fires stayed within pre-determined boundaries. Fire personnel with the Stanislaus National Forest are currently managing the Quarry Fire to achieve multiple resource objectives. 

These objectives include benefits such as reducing concentrations of dead ground fuels, re-establishing multigenerational timber stands, improving wildlife habitat, promoting vegetation diversity, and re-introducing fire into fire adapted ecosystems. 

Current Activities:

UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) crews brought low intensity fire down the ridge of the north west flank of the fire near 3N40, filling in unburned areas towards Reynolds Creek to the east. Another UAS crew conducted reconnaissance in the north west corner east of 3N16 to scout out additional burning opportunities. 

Crews brought fire down along the ridge near 3N27A filling in unburned areas to the east of 3N27. 

Crews continued falling dead standing trees along 3N01 and 3N16 in preparation for future firing operations. 

In addition to fire crews, Resource Advisors are providing professional knowledge and expertise for the protection of natural, cultural, special management areas, and other resources on the Quarry Fire. 

As of September 26, 2023, the following soft closures are in effect: 

• 3N21 where it meets 3N16            
• 2N71 where it meets 3N16
• 3N21 where it meets 3N01
• 3N22 where it meets 3N01
• 3N34Y
• 3N01L
• 3N01J
• 3N01H
• 3N16
• 3N01 Between Bourland Creek to Reynolds Creek

Individuals travelling in these areas are asked to stay off of these roads where fire crews are working. 

Smoke impacts from the Quarry Fire and the Experimental Forest prescribed burn will be settling in to low lying areas in the Pinecrest Basin, Tuolumne, East Sonora, Long Barn and Cold Springs . Check out the fire and smoke map at fire.airnow.gov for more information.                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Quarry Fire Update

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Stanislaus National Forest                                                     PIO Contacts: 

Incident Management Team (Type-3)                                       Phylis Ashmead, phyllis.ashmead@gmail.com

                                                                                                 Eugenie Moore, eugenie.moore@usda.gov

Fire Statistics:

Location: The Quarry Fire is located on the Miwok Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest, off Forest Road 3N01, east of Bourland Creek and approximately four miles west of the Emigrant Wilderness Border.

Acres burned to date: 2,157               Total Personnel: 123     

Cause:  Lightning                                Injuries: 0

Background: The Quarry fire was one of many fires ignited by lightning strikes across the forest on September 9, 2023.  District fire managers immediately worked to ensure these naturally ignited fires stayed within pre-determined boundaries. Fire personnel with the Stanislaus National Forest are currently managing the Quarry Fire to achieve multiple resource objectives. 

These objectives include benefits such as reducing concentrations of dead ground fuels, re-establishing multigenerational timber stands, improving wildlife habitat, promoting vegetation diversity, and re-introducing fire into fire adapted ecosystems. 

Current Activities:

A UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) also known as a drone was deployed in support of the Quarry Fire. The UAS is beneficial as it can cover large areas and fly over steep terrain that is difficult for fire crews to access.  The drone brought low intensity fire from the northeast edge of the fire to the south, filling in unburned areas along the ridgeline down the flank to the 3N27 road. In addition, the drone ignited ridgetops to the southeast of the fire perimeter, above the 2N81 road. 

Currently the general boundaries of the fire are bordered by 3N01 to the south, west of Emigrant Wilderness, west and north of Reynolds Creek, east of 2N14 and 2N16 and south of Bourland Meadow.  The natural role of the Quarry Fire will help restore this landscape and its ecosystems to a healthier condition, reducing wildfire risk like the Rim Fire, in the future. 

Individuals travelling in these areas are asked to stay off these roads where fire crews are working. 

As of September 26, 2023, the following soft closures are in effect: 

• 3N21 where it meets 3N16
• 2N71 where it meets 3N16
• 3N21 where it meets 3N01
• 3N22 where it meets 3N01
• 3N34Y
• 3N01L
• 3N01J
• 3N01H

Smoke impacts from the Quarry Fire will be settling in to low lying areas tonight in the Pinecrest Basin, Tuolumne East Sonora and Long Barn. Check out the fire and smoke map at fire.airnow.gov for more information.                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Quarry Fire Update

Monday, September 25, 2023

Stanislaus National Forest

Incident Management Team (Type-3)

PIO Contacts: Phylis Ashmead, phyllis.ashmead@gmail.com & Eugenie Moore, eugenie.moore@usda.gov

Fire Statistics:

Location: The Quarry Fire is located on the Miwok Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest, off Forest Road 3N01, east of Bourland Creek and approximately four miles west of the Emigrant Wilderness Border.

Acres burned to date: 1,774

Cause:  Lightning

Total Personnel: 102

Injuries: 0

Background: The Quarry fire was one of many fires ignited by lightning strikes across the forest on September 9, 2023.  District fire managers immediately worked to ensure these naturally ignited fires stayed within pre-determined boundaries. Fire personnel with the Stanislaus National Forest are currently managing the Quarry Fire to achieve multiple resource objectives. 

These objectives include benefits such as reducing concentrations of dead ground fuels, re-establishing multigenerational timber stands, improving wildlife habitat, promoting vegetation diversity, and re-introducing fire into fire adapted ecosystems. 

Today’s Activities:

Fire acreage will continue to grow as crews take advantage of weather and burning conditions suitable to accomplish and safely promote the spread of this naturally ignited wildfire. 

Crews ignited fire from the ridge tops along the east side of the fire filling in unburned areas. They also worked filling in areas to the north and west, creating a patchwork of burned and unburned fuels.  

Crews prepped areas to protect natural and cultural resources where fire may pass through. 

A UAS (unmanned aircraft system) crew scouted areas for potential aerial ignitions in the north tomorrow. 

Soft closures remain in effect and are subject to change based on fire activity.  Please avoid these areas: 

• 3N21 where it meets 3N16
• 2N71 where it meets 3N16
• 3N21 where it meets 3N01
• 3N22 where it meets 3N01

Smoke impacts from the Quarry Fire are visible in the area. Check out the fire and smoke map at fire.airnow.gov for more information.                                                                                    

Quarry Fire Update

Sunday, September 24, 2023

Stanislaus National Forest

Incident Management Team (Type-3)

PIO Contacts: Phylis Ashmead, phyllis.ashmead@gmail.com & Eugenie Moore, eugenie.moore@usda.gov

Fire Statistics:

Location: The Quarry Fire is located on the Miwok Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest, off Forest Road 3N01, east of Bourland Creek and approximately four miles west of the Emigrant Wilderness Border.

Acres burned to date: 1,532

Cause:  Lightning

Total Personnel: 114

Injuries: 0

Background: The Quarry fire was one of many fires ignited by lightning strikes across the forest on September 9, 2023.  District fire managers immediately worked to ensure these naturally ignited fires stayed within pre-determined boundaries. Fire personnel with the Stanislaus National Forest are currently managing the Quarry Fire to achieve multiple resource objectives. 

These objectives include benefits such as reducing concentrations of dead ground fuels, re-establishing multigenerational timber stands, improving wildlife habitat, promoting vegetation diversity, and re-introducing fire into fire adapted ecosystems. 

Today’s Activities:

Crews worked along 3N22A, 3N21 and 3N45Y, igniting unburned pockets, filling in areas where fire hasn’t burned within the perimeter. Ignitions were also conducted along the ridge line south of 03N27 establishing fire in this vicinity, bringing the total acres burned to date to 1,532. Crews also scouted areas today in preparation for future firing operations. 

The public is asked to avoid roads within active fire areas for their safety and the safety of the fire professionals, so they may continue to do the good work on the ground.  The following soft closures are in effect on Forest Roads in the vicinity of Clavey Meadow, Bourland Quarry, near Bourland Creek and Reynolds Creek: 

• 3N21 where it meets 3N16
• 2N71 where it meets 3N16
• 3N21 where it meets 3N01
• 3N22 where it meets 3N01

Smoke impacts from the Quarry Fire drifted down into the Pinecrest Basin and surrounding area again today. Check out the fire and smoke map at fire.airnow.gov for more information. 

Crews will be onsite all night.

Quarry Fire Update

Thursday, September 23, 2023

Stanislaus National Forest

Incident Management Team (Type-3)

PIO Contacts: Phyllis Ashmead, phyllis.ashmead@gmail.com and Eugenie Moore, eugenie.moore@usda.gov

Fire Statistics:

Location: The Quarry Fire is located on the Miwok Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest, off Forest Road 3N01, east of Bourland Creek and approximately four miles west of the Emigrant Wilderness Border.

Acres burned to date: 1,490 acres.

Cause:  Lightning

Total Personnel: 97

Injuries: 0

Background: The Quarry fire was one of many fires ignited by lightning strikes across the forest on September 9, 2023.  District fire managers immediately worked to ensure these naturally ignited fires stayed within pre-determined boundaries. Fire personnel with the Stanislaus National Forest are currently managing the Quarry Fire to achieve multiple resource objectives. 

These objectives include benefits such as reducing concentrations of dead ground fuels, re-establishing multigenerational timber stands, improving wildlife habitat, promoting vegetation diversity, and re-introducing fire into fire adapted ecosystems. 

Today’s Activities:

Crews continued ignitions primarily along 3N22, 3N22A, 3N45Y, 3N27 AND 2N71. Firing on the eastern side of the fire progressed well, while the northwest portions went slower due to shaded and shelter fuels. Shaded and sheltered fuels typically have higher moisture content and are more protected from the wind, thus more resistant to burning than fuels that are more exposed to sunlight.
The public is asked to avoid roads within active fire areas for their safety and the safety of the fire professionals, so they may continue to do the good work on the ground. The following soft closures are in effect on Forest Roads in the vicinity of Clavey Meadow, Bourland Quarry, near Bourland Creek and Reynolds Creek:

•3N21 where it meets 3N16
•2N71 where it meets 3N16
•3N21 where it meets 3N01
•3N22 where it meets 3N01

Smoke impacts from the Quarry Fire drifted down into the Pinecrest Basin and surrounding area today.
Crews will be onsite all night.

Quarry Fire Update

Thursday, September 22, 2023

Stanislaus National Forest

Incident Management Team (Type-3)

PIO Contacts: Phyllis Ashmead, phyllis.ashmead@gmail.com and Eugenie Moore, eugenie.moore@usda.gov

Fire Statistics:

Location: The Quarry Fire is located on the Miwok Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest, off Forest Road 3N01, east of Bourland Creek and approximately four miles west of the Emigrant Wilderness Border.

Acres burned to date: 900 acres.

Cause:  Lightning

Total Personnel: 97

Injuries: 0

Background: The Quarry fire was one of many fires ignited by lightning strikes across the forest on September 9, 2023.  District fire managers immediately worked to ensure these naturally ignited fires stayed within pre-determined boundaries. Fire personnel with the Stanislaus National Forest are currently managing the Quarry Fire to achieve multiple resource objectives. 

These objectives include benefits such as reducing concentrations of dead ground fuels, re-establishing multigenerational timber stands, improving wildlife habitat, promoting vegetation diversity, and re-introducing fire into fire adapted ecosystems. 

Today’s Activities:

Favorable weather conditions today carried fire well, increasing fuels consumption and acres burned.
Crews ignited ridges and high points above Reynolds Creek and filled in areas from yesterday firing from Forest Road 3N01, Forest Road 3N21 and Forest Road 2N71.

Smoke impacts along the Hwy 108 corridor from the Quarry Fire is minimal. Smoke drifting down from fires in Northern California have been visible at lower elevations. Check out the fire and smoke map at fire.airnow.gov for more information.
With the weekend upon us and hunting season in full swing, the public is asked to avoid active fire areas for your safety and the safety of the fire crews. The following soft closures are in effect on Forest Roads: 3N43Y, 3N27, 3N45Y, 3N22, in the vicinity of Clavey Meadow, Bourland Quarry, near Bourland Creek and Reynolds Creek.

Crews will be onsite all night.

Quarry Fire Update

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Stanislaus National Forest

Incident Management Team (Type-3)

PIO Contacts: Phyllis Ashmead, phyllis.ashmead@gmail.com and Eugenie Moore, eugenie.moore@usda.gov

Fire Statistics:

Location: The Quarry Fire is located on the Miwok Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest, off Forest Road 3N01, east of Bourland Creek and approximately four miles west of the Emigrant Wilderness Border.

Acres burned to date: 596 acres.

Cause:  Lightning

Total Personnel: 74

Injuries: 0

Background: The Quarry fire was one of many fires ignited by lightning strikes across the forest on September 9, 2023.  District fire managers immediately worked to ensure these naturally ignited fires stayed within pre-determined boundaries. Fire personnel with the Stanislaus National Forest are currently managing the Quarry Fire to achieve multiple resource objectives. 

These objectives include benefits such as reducing concentrations of dead ground fuels, re-establishing multigenerational timber stands, improving wildlife habitat, promoting vegetation diversity, and re-introducing fire into fire adapted ecosystems. 

Today’s Activities:

Today, favorable weather conditions allowed crews to expand the fire area, burning east along Forest Road 3N01, southwest from the ridge near Forest Road 3N45Y and east along Forest Road 3N21. 

By the afternoon the fire started consuming well, resulting in a mosaic effect of burned and unburned vegetation which will increase habitat diversity on the landscape.  

Crews also scouted and prepped other areas to protect natural and cultural resources in future burn areas. 

With hunting season in full swing, the public is asked to avoid active fire areas. Watch for signs that indicate the roads in the area may be temporarily closed. 

Crew 2, Crew 3, Engine 332 will be onsite all night.

Quarry Fire Update

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Stanislaus National Forest

Incident Management Team (Type-3)

PIO Contacts: Phyllis Ashmead, phyllis.ashmead@gmail.com and Eugenie Moore, eugenie.moore@usda.gov

Fire Statistics:

Location: The Quarry Fire is located on the Miwok Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest, off Forest Road 3N01, east of Bourland Creek and approximately four miles west of the Emigrant Wilderness Border.

Acres burned to date: 136 acres.

Cause:  Lightning

Total Personnel: 58

Injuries: 0

Background: The Quarry fire was one of many fires ignited by lightning strikes across the forest on September 9, 2023.  District fire managers immediately worked to ensure these naturally ignited fires stayed within pre-determined boundaries. Fire personnel with the Stanislaus National Forest are currently managing the Quarry Fire to achieve multiple resource objectives. 

These objectives include benefits such as reducing concentrations of dead ground fuels, re-establishing multigenerational timber stands, improving wildlife habitat, promoting vegetation diversity, and re-introducing fire into fire adapted ecosystems. 

Today’s Activities:

In anticipation of wetting rains predicted in the next few days, crews took advantage of favorable weather conditions today successfully increasing fire’s growth. Firefighters effectively brought fire down two ridges towards 3N21 and fire east along 3N21. Crews successfully burned 107 acres today, bringing the total acreage to 136 acres. 

Fire managers continue to assess and plan for various scenarios in the coming days depending on fire behavior, which is affected by weather, fuel conditions and terrain. 

The goal is to continue to work with this naturally caused wildfire so it can fulfill its ecological role on the landscape as well as reducing fuel load on the forest floor. 

Smoke can be seen from the Rim of the World overlook, Highway 120. 

Crew 2, Crew 3, Engine 332 will be onsite all night.

Quarry Fire Update

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Stanislaus National Forest

Incident Management Team (Type-3)

PIO Contacts: Phylis Ashmead, phyllis.ashmead@gmail.com and Eugenie Moore, eugenie.moore@usda.gov

Fire Statistics:

Location: The Quarry Fire is located on the Miwok Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest, off Forest Road 3N01, east of Bourland Creek and approximately four miles west of the Emigrant Wilderness Border.

Acres burned to date: 29 acres.

Cause:  Lightning

Total Personnel: 46

Injuries: 0

Background: The Quarry fire was one of many fires ignited by lightning strikes across the forest on September 9, 2023.  District fire managers immediately worked to ensure these naturally ignited fires stayed within pre-determined boundaries. Fire personnel with the Stanislaus National Forest are currently managing the Quarry Fire to achieve multiple resource objectives. 

These objectives include benefits such as reducing concentrations of dead ground fuels, re-establishing multigenerational timber stands, improving wildlife habitat, promoting vegetation diversity, and re-introducing fire into fire adapted ecosystems. 

Today’s Activities:

Today crews brought fire across the ridgetop near Forest Road 3N16 to allow it to slowly move down towards Forest Road 3N01. Crews successfully burned 20 acres bringing the total acreage of the Quarry fire to 29 acres. 

The optimal conditions today allowed burn out operations to consume accumulated fuels resulting in very little smoke impacts. 

Allowing natural fire to spread where it is effectively managed will increase forest resiliency. 

Crew 2, Crew 3, Engine 332 will be onsite all night.

Quarry Fire Update

Monday, September 18, 2023

Stanislaus National Forest

Incident Management Team (Type-3)

Fire Statistics:

Location: The Quarry Fire is located on the Miwok Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest, off Forest Road 3N01, east of Bourland Creek and approximately four miles west of the Emigrant Wilderness Border.

Acres burned to date: 9 acres.

Cause:  Lightning

Total Personnel: 45

Injuries: 0

Background: The Quarry fire was one of many fires ignited by lightning strikes across the forest on September 9, 2023.  District fire managers immediately worked to ensure these naturally ignited fires stayed within pre-determined boundaries. Fire personnel with the Stanislaus National Forest are currently managing the Quarry Fire to achieve multiple resource objectives. 

These objectives include benefits such as reducing concentrations of fuels, re-establishing multigenerational timber stands, improving wildlife habitat, promoting vegetation diversity, and re-introducing fire into fire adapted ecosystems. 

Today’s Activities:

Today, the Quarry fire transitioned from Type 4 incident to a Type 3 incident. 

Fire personnel conducted firing operations this afternoon successfully burning 4.2 acres bringing the total acreage of the Quarry fire to 9 acres. 

Crews are identifying resources that need to be protected such as sensitive historical and archaeology sites and any other potential items at risk. This information will be implemented in a protection plan. 

Crew 2, Crew 3, and Engine 332 will be onsite all night.