Butte Lightening Complex Update

We just left a meeting with Cal Fire so I thought I'd post an update.

Not much changed over the night. The fire lines on our side (I mean our house, we are in Chico now) did "drop" a bit closer in our house's direction. The Captain from Cal Fire said, essentially, that should the winds gain strength tonight, as they have several of the past nights, and shift to the SE, which is common, our area will be in immediate jeopardy in a matter of hours. It was a bit disheartening to learn that this new increase in fire activity has less fire fighters fighting it due to the Big Sur, Santa Barbara etc. fires elsewhere in the state. There is a limit to human and other resources.

They have bulldozed a few new fire break areas to our south which implies, though he would not directly say it, that they see the possibility as high enough to be preparing for the fire to reach there. In other words, the official map shows that they are now preparing a fire line beyond us by about 2 miles. The main body of the Camp Fire looks to be about 2-3 miles to our north, northwest and west. The one that was closer, a half mile away, is now out.

That was unneverving to see, but frankly Paradise has to be the priority. Still no estimates when any of us will be allowed to return home.

Beyond that -- this too will pass --

Following are the most current figures.

Statewide Fire Statistics

Total Fires at Peak: 1,781

Total Fires Contained: 1,459

Total Active Fires: 322

Total Acres Burned: 702,394

These numbers are total fires and acres that have occurred from state, local and federal firefighting agencies beginning June 20, 2008.

CAL FIRE Statistics

Total Fires at Peak: 1,005

Fires Contained: 815

Active Fires: 55

Acres Burned: 230,372

These numbers are total fires and acres that have occurred ONLY in CAL FIRE jurisdiction since June 20, 2008.
The number of contained and active fires will not equal the total due to some fires merging together.

Statewide Resources Committed

Personnel Committed: 19,706

Fire Engines: 1,589

Hand Crews: 414

Dozers: 258

Water Tenders: 406

Helicopters: 107

Highway closures: State highways, county and local roads are closed throughout California due to wildfire activities. Closures and delays remain in place for State Highways 1 (Big Sur Area), 32, 70 and 96. Travelers are advised to seek current information from local law enforcement.

Evacuations: Areas of Butte, Kern, Monterey, Santa Barbara, Shasta and Trinity counties are under evacuation orders at this time. Precautionary evacuation orders currently exist in areas in Butte, Kern, Mendocino, Monterey, Plumas, Santa Barbara, Shasta and Trinity counties. Residents are advised to monitor their local fire situation, check with local law enforcement agencies for information, and be prepared to evacuate when necessary.

Structures:
Threatened : 13,067 residences, 158 commercial, 2,626 outbuildings.
Destroyed : 99 residences, 1 commercial, 90 outbuildings.

CAL FIRE Summary of Fires by County

Butte: The Butte Lightning Complex has burned 49,000 acres and is 45% contained. The Butte Fire Information Number is (530) 538-7826. Click Here for more information.

Mendocino: The Mendocino Lightning Complex has burned 52,100 acres and is 65% contained. The Mendocino Fire Information Number is (707)-467-6426. Click Here for more information.

Shasta & Trinity: The Shasta and Trinity Lightning has burned 57,779 acres and is 45% contained. The Shasta-Trinity Unit Information Number is (530) 225-2510. Click Here for more information.

Humboldt: The Humboldt Complex has burned 1,310 acres and is 85% contained. The fires are burning throughout Humboldt County, with the largest fire, the Paradise Fire, north of Shelter Cove and is 925 acres and 85% contained. The Humboldt-Del Norte Fire Information Number is (707) 726-1225.

Lassen, Modoc: The Corral Fire burned 12,434 acres and is now 100% contained. Click Here for more information.

Mariposa: The Oliver Fire burned 2,789 acres and now 100% contained.Click Here for more information.

Lake: The Walker Fire burned 14,500 acres and is now 100% contained. Click Here for more information.

Napa & Solano: The Wild Fire burned 40,000 acres and is now 100% contained. Click Here for more information.

Santa Clara: The Whitehurst and Hummingbird Fires burned a combined 994 acres and are both now 100% contained. Click Here for more information.

Tehama & Glenn: The Tehama-Glenn Lightning Complex burned 22,907 acres and is now 100% contained.

Major Federal and Local Incidents

For information on major federal incidents click here.

Kern County: The Piute Fire has burned 33,922 acres and is 28% contained. Click Here for more information.

Maps and Links

Your continuing prayers are of course solicited,

Thanks,
~ John of AllFaith