Kern Valley Canyon Connection Community Forums

What's the latest on the bull fire and any word on when they are planning on openning 99? Last report I saw was 20 hrs old. 15000 Ac. Thanks to all you fire fighters.

As of 8:30 this morning.
http://www.kerncountyfire.org/incidents.php?id=417

Latest Bull Fire Update July 31, 2010 8:30am

Location: Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest, California

Date of Fire Start: July 26, 2010

Cause: Human Caused, Under Investigation

Size: 16,460 acres Containment: 81 percent

Management: California Interagency Incident Management Team 4

Cooperating Agencies: Bureau of Land Management, California Highway Patrol, Kern County Sheriff, Tulare County Sheriff

Fire Status: Throughout the day yesterday, helicopters were used to drop water on flare ups within the fire area. Overnight, the fire remained quiet. Today, seven – 20 person hand crews will work to complete construction of fireline on the east flank. Crews that camped overnight on the fireline along the west flank will work towards completion of the western fireline today. Additional crews continue to patrol completed firelines and repair areas damaged from fire suppression activities. Forest personnel continue to work alongside firefighters to ensure that natural and cultural resources are protected during fire fighting operations.

Resources: Total Personnel: 1,435
Hand Crews: 38 Engines: 39 Dozers: 3 Water Tenders: 15 Helicopters: 13

Structures Destroyed: 8 residences and 6 outbuildings

Closures: Mountain Highway 99 is closed from Headquarters Campground to Brush Creek. Also an area closure has been implemented for the Kern River Ranger District within the Bull Fire area. For detailed information please go to: www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia.

Community Meetings: No additional community meetings are scheduled. The Incident Management Team and all fire personnel sincerely appreciate the outstanding support provided by community members during the Bull Fire.

Special Note: A task force consisting of Law Enforcement Officers from the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Kern County Fire Department, and the Kern County Sheriff’s Office was formed to investigate the Bull Fire. The task force is continuously working, following up on multiple reports from local citizens. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined. Anyone with information pertaining to the start of the Bull Fire is encouraged to call the Kern County Fire Department Tip Line, toll free at 1-877-FIRE-TIP (1-877-347-3847).


Please note that starting today, one daily update will be provided.

Further information may be obtained by calling: (760) 379-8763 (7 a.m. – 8 p.m.) or on the Internet at: www.inciweb.org/incident/2043

Daily Bull Fire updates are being posted on Canyon Connection. You can reach the latest update link via our weather page at:
http://www.kernvalley.com/news/weather.htm

Looks like Sherman Pass Road now open, but Hwy 99 from HQ to Fairview still closed :-( http://inciweb.org/incident/article/2043/10315/

Please be aware that the Sequoia National Forest has just announced that the Bull Fire Area Closure will be lifted tomorrow, Monday August 2, at 9:00 a.m. Mountain Highway 99 will be reopened, however developed campgrounds within the fire area will remain closed until the Forest completes work necessary to allow public access.

--
Tricia Christofferson
Public Information Officer
California Interagency Incident Management Team 4

Location: Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest, California

Date of Fire Start: July 26, 2010

Cause: Human Caused, Under Investigation

Size: 16,442 acres Containment: 96 percent

Management: Kern River Ranger District Type 3 Team with John Carothers, Incident Commander

Fire Status: Yesterday firefighters focused on two areas of the fire along the east and west flanks. The focus of today’s efforts will be to continue to mop up the east flank, approximately 1 and ½ miles south-west of Cannell Meadow, where some smokes have remained. Firefighters on both the east and west flanks are working in extremely rugged, steep, rocky, and in some cases inaccessible terrain. Patrol of the firelines around the remainder of the fire will occur to watch for any additional hot spots.

Resources: Total Personnel: 242
Hand Crews: 6 Engines: 5 Water Tenders: 7 Helicopters: 3

Structures Destroyed: 8 residences and 6 outbuildings

Closure UPDATE: The Mountain Highway 99 has reopened as of 9:00 a.m. Monday, August 2 and the area closure has been lifted. None of the campgrounds in the fire area received any fire damage during the fire. Those campgrounds will be reopened on Thursday, August 5, once water testing has been completed.

Driving Caution: Now that Mountain Highway 99 has reopened, please be aware that there could be firefighters and equipment along that road in the fire area. For their safety and yours, please drive slowly and carefully.

Reporting Smokes Within the Fire Area: Please be aware that the public could continue to see small smokes coming up within the fire area until we get enough rain over the area. Please DO NOT report those smokes since they are well within the perimeter of the fire.

Special Note: A task force consisting of Law Enforcement Officers from the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Kern County Fire Department, and the Kern County Sheriff’s Office was formed to investigate the Bull Fire. The task force is continuously working, following up on multiple reports from local citizens. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined. Anyone with information pertaining to the start of the Bull Fire is encouraged to call the Kern County Fire Department Tip Line, toll free at 1-877-FIRE-TIP (1-877-347-3847).


Further information may be obtained by calling the Kern River Ranger District:
(760) 376-3781 (8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) or on the Internet at: www.inciweb.org/incident/2043