Aug. 3: Dixie Fire tops 250,000 acres; structure protection planned
It was a long night for Greenville residents — those who remained behind and those who evacuated — as the fire bore down on Greenville. Image after image emerged of the fire silhouetted behind the buildings of downtown, which glowed menacingly red as night fell. During last night’s briefing, even fire behavior analyst Dennis Burns seemed defeated as he said they threw everything they had at it — both an aerial and ground assault — and it kept advancing.
This morning the fire is reported to be 253,052 acres; 35 percent contained with 5,168 personnel assigned, which reflects another drop from the high of just over 6,000.
Following is this morning’s briefing, which as usual, is more detailed for the East Zone than the West Zone.
West Zone
Fire Behavior is expected to increase due to drying conditions. Fire continues to move toward control lines burning unburned interior islands and ridges. Steep terrain, heavy fuel loading, and wind in alignment with canyons is making control difficult. Forecasted weather patterns remain steady with no big weather changes though conditions remain near critical with breezy, hot and dry weather today. A dry cold frontal passage will bring a wind test to the fire late Wednesday into Thursday before a quieter weather pattern returns. Fire crews continue to construct and reinforce control lines, fall trees that threaten containment efforts, and provide structure defense in communities at risk.
East Zone
Firefighters worked through the night to protect structures in the Greenville area after the explosive fire growth experienced during late afternoon yesterday. Engines, crews and heavy equipment shifted from other areas to increase structure protection and direct line construction as the fire moved toward Greenville. Firefighters on the night shift continued that work last night. Engines not assigned to the Greenville area patrolled the remainder of the perimeter to protect the accomplishments of the last several weeks.
Today, dry, hot and windy conditions are expected and the forecast calls for the return of active fire behavior. Crews are focused on building lines to contain northern perimeter growth, protecting structures and holding the remainder of the fire perimeter.
In addition to the fight in Greenville, firefighters will also be working to construct direct and indirect line in the Feather River drainage east of Caribou and just south of Seneca, respectively. Smoke from interior islands is expected when the winds pick up today. California Interagency Incident Management Team 2 (CIIMT2) will be transitioning command today with CIIMT4 under the command of Rocky Opliger.
