Not again
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Summary from the incident report sent to the PUC from PG&E:
Summary: On July 13, 2021 at approximately 0700 hours, PG&E’s outage system indicated that Cresta Dam off of Highway 70 in the Feather River Canyon lost power. The responding PG&E troubleman observed from a distance what he thought was a blown fuse on the PG&E Bucks Creek 1101 12kV Overhead Distribution Circuit uphill from his location. Due to the challenging terrain and road work resulting in a bridge closure, he was not able to reach the pole with the fuse until approximately 1640 hours. There he observed two of three fuses blown and what appeared to him to be a healthy green tree leaning into the Bucks Creek 1101 12 kV conductor, which was still intact and suspended on the poles. He also observed a fire on the ground near the base of the tree. The troubleman manually removed the third fuse and reported the fire, his supervisor called 9-1-1, and the 9-1-1 operator replied they were aware of the fire and responding. CAL FIRE air support arrived on scene by approximately 1730 hours and began dropping fire retardant and water. In response to a CAL FIRE request, PG&E de- energized another section of the Bucks Creek 1101 12 kV line. In a 2045 hours status report, the CAL FIRE website stated the fire was approximately 1-2 acres; later that evening CAL FIRE reported the fire had grown to 10-15 acres and ground resources had problems accessing the area. According to the CAL FIRE website as of July 18, 2021 at 2007 hours, the Dixie Fire has burned approximately 19,000 acres and is 15 percent contained. The fire has generally burned in remote wildlands, and CAL FIRE has reported no property damage and one injury (according to a news report, CAL FIRE stated a firefighter suffered minor injuries and was able to walk away). On July 18, 2021, CAL FIRE investigators collected the following PG&E equipment: portions of the Bucks Creek 1101 12 kV line, including conductor, jumpers, insulators, and fuse cutouts, as well as portions of the tree. PG&E submits this report in an abundance of caution given CAL FIRE’s collection of PG&E facilities in connection with its investigation. PG&E is cooperating with CAL FIRE’s investigation and is reporting this to the CPUC under the media criterion. This information is preliminary.
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Contingency line being built on the LNF 25N02 which is also the Retson to Concow Rd that goes over Bald Mtn. Timelapse on the Bald shows lots of mastication work and other heavy equipment along with fire crews.
This will be branch 5 DIV P. On today’s Ops map, right between the H and V in “Branch V”. That’s a good line to open up north through Jones Meadow and they can take it to Philbrook Reservoir or try and hook it NE to Lotts Lake. But If this is contingency, and with today’s fire behavior, hooking it to Lotts seems too close for contingency and safety. (caltopo of Bald Mtn)
I believe contingency on the R is Humbug Rd. across the summit and down through Little Grizzly Valley.
edit: from some ground intel, the drama in the air doesn’t necessarily reflect conditions on the ground. The atmosphere today is having a party up top, but still business as usual on the ground, sporty but doable for the most part. You can see the TStorm lopped off the column and continued NE over Almanor.
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That VIIRs info worries me - looks like spotting both on Red Hill, and on the other side of the river going north of Queen Lily campground. The Chips Fire really took out a lot of the woods north of that area leading to Butt Lake, but there’s still plenty of (currently very very dry) stuff to burn. And it’s pretty steep terrain.
I wish there was a Red Hill camera.
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Looks like a big order for any type strike teams just went in for the Dixie Fire.
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R-3 (AZ & NM) is pretty wet… I see a road trip in some folks future
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The Southwest is almost completely out of engines (fed,state,cooperators and contract) due to PL 5 in Northern Rockies and Northwest.
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Moved to Q&D
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XLC1205A (ALH E71, ARC E105, MPK E61, MRV E101, SNM E91, STEN GLN BC2, STEN-T PAS BC3) dispatched at 0432, with an ETA of 1500.
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XLE 1281A (DNY E61, LHH E771, SFS E821, LOB E12, LOB E13, STEN DNY, STEN-T SFS) en route to rally point.
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OES6800A leaving Riverside this morning for the Dixie fire
(CDR) Engine 413
(HMT) OES Engine 352
(RIV) OES Engine 353
(COR) OES Engine 354
(RIV) OES Engine 369
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OES 6828c enroute
(OFD) OES 6318
(CHO) OES 6319
(APP) OES 6320
(RED) OES 8637
(RCF) BE 171
STL BC 141
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Very active this morning
http://www.alertwildfire.org/sierra/index.html?camera=Axis-IndianRidge&v=7a7f1c2
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OES 1840A (E341, E343, E395, E378, E416, STEN ARC BC105, STEN-T GLN) reassigned from the Bootleg Fire
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San Mateo County just punched out an OES Strike Team. OES 402, OES 403, OES 405, OES 376 and a 5th to be named from another county.
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I would estimate that the OES is going ahead to Lake Almanor Housing tracks, Quincy, Spanish Ranch out ahead of this incident. Or, the smaller type 2’s maybe on the line. They won’t know until they get to the ICP.
Kurt: sounds like there is still plenty of fuels inside the Chips burn too to carry the head?
Winds at Jarbo gap jumped at sunup to 12mph thru 0900 and
Currently reporting data update @ 1100, 1200, 1300 = 10mph sustained, 19-20 mph gusts out of SW. (West of the incident)
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Second Type 1 strike team headed out of San Mateo County to the Dixie. This time it’s an LG. 4, 7, 17, 32 and 40.
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Thanks for all your posts Fyrmikey! Your info is always spot on and very informative! Mahalo
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