Two Brush Fires West of Big Pine

D.A. Wright · Death Valley Resident Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 3644

Two brush fires this afternoon west of Big Pine.

Fire #1.) Big Pine Canyon. Appears to be midway up, about where the homes along the roadway are. Appeared to start high on the northern ridgetop above the road to Glacier Lodge, about 3:00 PM. I was coming home from Bishop and a couple miles north of Big Pine when I noticed a light blue column of smoke appear from out of the canyon. Within 20 minutes it became denser and darker. By 4:00 PM emergency vehicles were racing up the canyon and CHP blocked access up the road at the west edge of Big Pine (I live at the western edge). By 4:30 PM, the fire topped the ridge and was coming down the eastern side into the Onion Creek drainage. Seems to be staying out of the oak/pinon pine stands below the ridge top presently. By 5:00 it was obvious that the canyon was being evacuated - campers, motor homes, travel trailers, canyon residents were coming down the road in slow procession. By 5:30 a tanker plane and two small spotter planes were working the fire. Presently (5:50 PM) the first is slowly petering out, but there are hot spots.

Fire #2.) A few miles north, on the ridgeline that separates the South Fork of Shannon Canyon from the face of Round Mountain Ridge. A very small fire. Seems to be laying low. Sometimes the smoke nearly dissappears, then gets denser. Is presently ignored by fire crews due to in accessibility and the larger fire south. Doesn't seem to be more than 3-5 acres.

We had some thunder and lightning today with a few sprinkles. Likely these fires were sparked by lightning strikes.
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D.A. Wright

D.A. Wright · Death Valley Resident Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 3644

Update 7/07/07 @ 2:10 PM:

Fire is still going strong. At last report, about 5,000 acres consumed. The fire has burned farther downhill and northerly, now entering the Baker Creek canyon. It is also threatening a power plant and the Bernasconi School. Three helicopters are dropping water and are basing and fueling at the ball fields at Big Pine Park. Numerous semi trucks and mobile command centers are set up in the park.

The small fire on the South Fork of Shannon Canyon burned itself out last night before dark.

Some photos:

Friday, about 3:15 when I first saw the fire. All shots, except as noted, taken from my backyard.

About 4:30 PM.

Fire crew of the Big Pine Fire Department running by my house.

The small fire north on the rim of the South Fork of Shannon Canyon. It never got any larger than this, and all visible smoke gone before dark.

Some of the long line of evacuees from Big Pine Canyon. Campgrounds, residences and Glacier Lodge.

Night scene, about 9:00 PM.

Saturday, 7/07/07 about 7:30 AM. All appears seemingly calm, yet the fire had burned farther down the hill and was at the time burning a small utility building at the siphon that vents the penstock that feeds water to the power plant below.

About noon. The fire has whipped up due to increasing southerly winds.

A shot about 12:30 from School Street, about four blocks from my home. Large trees behind my home block the northerly portion of the fire. The northerly flames are in the mouth of Baker Creek Canyon.

Zoomed in on the southern edge of the fire, which has reached Glacier Lodge Road at the top of the switchback above the power plant.

There is another even larger fire down north of Independence. It is called the Oak Fire, created from two separate fires that has joined as one. It has burned buildings and has so far consumed more than 12,000 acres.
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D.A. Wright

ccv · Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 3:29 pm Post subject:

Incredible, David! Is highway 395 closed?
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Cecile
---------------
Well behaved women rarely make history-
Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
www.explorehistoricalif.com

D.A. Wright · Death Valley Resident Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 3644

Update 6:30 PM

US395 is closed between Pearsonville and Bishop. No detours are provided. The radio is suggesting to those southbound to head north out of Bishop on US6 to Tonopah, south along US95 to Las Vegas, then down I-15 to whatever southern California local they are traveling to.

The entire town of Independence has been evacuated; starting with the west side of town beginning about 4PM and the east side of the highway after 5PM.

At Big Pine, the Baker Creek campground, a half mile west of town, was evacuated about 3 PM. Sheriff's deputies told me about 4:00 PM that they are warning my neighborhood to prepare to evacuate on a 20 minute notice. My wife and I packed some clothes and meds, got the pets ready and loaded both our truck and car. Flames got within a quarter mile of my house by about 4:30. I also put a sprinkler atop my home (cedar shingles) about 2 PM because it was snowing ashes; later when the flames got close it was also snowing embers. We still await word to move. In front of my home has been numerous public officials from the sheriff's department, the CHP, Fish & Game and the Forest Service.

The hydroelectric plant and Bernasconi School west of Big Pine have been spared, but only because of fire fighters defending them. They have been completely encircled by fire.

North of Big Pine, there are two housing tracts that are also on evacuation watch.

As of this writing, winds have died down considerably. The fire continues to burn directly west of me, but the fireline has moved back about a half mile (now about 3/4ths of a mile away). The fire continues to burn at the back end of Baker Creek campground, about two thirds of a mile from me, but the fire slowly burns north instead of east. Flames have come down earlier to Glacier Lodge Road about a quarter mile above my house, but have not crossed the road.

Latest photos taken this afternoon:

A line of flames can be seen on the hillside behind Baker Creek campground.

A couple of Forest Service law enforcement vehicles and a Fish & Game truck blocking the road in front of my house. Flames are licking at the bottom of the powerline tower in the background, about a quarter mile away.

A sheriff deputy stops to chat with the Forest Service law enforcement officer. Note that the fire and smoke are this side of the powerline tower, which now cannot be seen.

A tornado forms in the rising thermals caused by the fire.

The sun shining through the thick column of smoke. Taken from the road in front of my home. It is also snowing ash and embers while I'm taking this photo.

Flames can be seen on the hillside behind Baker Creek campground.

A panorama of the fire line west of my backyard.
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D.A. Wright

gwjones00 · Jayhawker Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 8

David:

Glad to see that you are still okay. I've been following what little blurbs I can on the online feed from KIBS in Bishop.

Thanks for the update and the *great* pics.

Hope that all goes well for you. You're in our thoughts and prayers.

Glenn Jones

D.A. Wright · Death Valley Resident Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 3644

Last photos of the day:

From my front yard looking northwest.

After sundown my wife and I drove out through the Indian reservation to near the Owens River for this look back at the fire scene above town.

Taken from the road out front of my home during dusk hours.

Taken about 10:15 PM.
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D.A. Wright

D.A. Wright · Death Valley Resident Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 3644

Update 7/8/07 @ 7:45 AM

What a night! I tried to lay down about 11:00 PM to get some rest. My wife and I lay down in the living room in case we were evacuated in the middle of the night. The law enforcement officer told me earlier that if they evacuate my neighborhood that they would blast the siren, give instructions over the PA; repeating that several times as they drove from house to house.

About midnight I got up and looked outside. I could now see flames through the trees a short distance to the west.

At 1:30 I got up, the smoke was getting thick enough inside the house to set off the fire alarm. I went back outside and saw huge flames, flame tornadoes. It was close enough that I could hear the popping. I could see the nearest high powerline tower, which is less than a quarter mile, was still in front of the fire, but some of the flames behind it appeared to tower over it. I knew that the fire was getting into the dense groves of locust trees along Sugarloaf Road, so figured the tall flames were from the locust trees going up.

I finally fell asleep around 3:30 AM.

This morning the scene is quiet and very smoky. I can't see any rising smoke presently. As the day heats up, I'm sure some smoldering hot spots will re-ignite. But for now the danger seems over.

Some photos:

The scene about midnight.

A 4 second exposure of the flames west of my home about 1:30 this morning. Compare the size of that flare-up compared with the powerline tower silhouetted next to it.

All appears tranquil, if smoky, this morning. For now ...

Local radio reports this morning that:

* US395 was opened last night.
* Residents of Independence were allowed home about 9:00 PM.
* Total acreage as of last night was over 34,000 for both fires combined.
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D.A. Wright

D.A. Wright · Death Valley Resident Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 3644

A few items updated from the local FM radio station this morning:

*Campers that were camping in Big Pine Canyon, Big Pine Canyon residents and those at Glacier Lodge were escorted up the canyon beginning at 11:00 AM to retrieve belongings.

* One residence has been confirmed burned down, as well as two outbuildings burned.

* A public briefing w/law enforcement officials will be held at 7:00 PM at Big Pine town hall.

* The roof of the Independence town water system reservoir collapsed in fire, requiring that residents boil their water to be safe.

* Acreage in Sage Fire (Big Pine) – 6,957. Oak/Seven Fire (Independence) – 25,500+.

* Homes in western Big Pine still under evacuation watch, if winds flare up hot spots still within the fire area.

* The two fires are said to be only 8% contained presently. Over 40 miles of fire-line is still to be built.
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D.A. Wright

freevenice · Jayhawker Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 3

I am about to take a camping trip to the Grey Meadows camp grounds at the end of this week. Or do you think that is a lost cause? I planned on driving out on the 14th, do you have an advise? i got a deposit their but if you know of somewhere else i can go feel free to let me know. Do you think it will be close to normal by Saturday?

dizzydame · Jayhawker Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 2

D.A.-Thank you so much for your updates on the Inyo Complex fires. My parents live in Aspendell and I am in New York. It is so difficult to get information on what is going on and you have helped tremendously with your pictures and updates on what is going on. When you have a chance, I would really appreciate another update on conditions there. Thanks again! D Smile

D.A. Wright · Death Valley Resident Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 3644

Aspendell was never in any danger from the Inyo Complex fire (which is actually referring to the two fires in Independence and Big Pine together), so your parents are fine.

Presently (7PM) there are some hot spots that are smoking between Big Pine Creek and Baker Creek. At times it's hard to tell what's actually smoke compared to the ash blowing in the wind, but the smoke is lighter colored. The road up Big Pine Canyon is still closed to the public, but groups were escorted up to their homes, Glacier Lodge and the campgrounds to retrieve belongings.

After dark, I might be able to see some small areas of flame. But for now, all seems to be on the wane. Numerous fire trucks and other equipment is coming down off the mountain. Many of them have the names and logos of fire departments as far away as San Diego (nearly 450 miles away).
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D.A. Wright

D.A. Wright · Death Valley Resident Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 3644

dizzydame · Jayhawker Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 2

Thank you so very much for your post. I really do appreciate it and you have certainly put my mind at ease. Thanks for being there for those of us who could not find any reliable information on what is going on. I have also sent my parents this site and your post for future reference. Best of luck to you and I will continue to monitor your site for any changes.

Scott · Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 9:15 pm Post subject:

David - thanks for taking the time to let us out-of-towners know what's happening down there. Glad you and your place are OK.

D.A. Wright · Death Valley Resident Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 3644

Thank you, DD and Scott.

A bit of an update, 7/9/07 @ 6:38 AM:

* Numerous small fires are still burning all over the fire area. Last night when I went to bed, I checked out back and it looked like a slew of new homes were built on the mountainside - pinpoints of lights all over the fire area. I could see a fairly dense plume of smoke coming up from the valley floor up behind Baker Creek campground and flames through the trees behind my place.

* The road up Big Pine Canyon/Glacier Lodge is still blocked by law enforcement presently.

* The smell of heavy smoke fills the morning air, although I can't tell yet where it's coming from.
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D.A. Wright