RIM FIRE UPDATE; Video and T-shirts here

Direct from their community;

This is an amazing video, 22 minutes long, interviewing folks who have been working this beast;  firefighters, Red Cross, Lions Club, and everyday people. It is incredible to see such an outpouring of help and such an outpouring of gratitude. Sometimes in the world we live in, the news we see, we can become disillusioned by mankind. Watch this video and be lifted. We continue to keep good thoughts that this inferno become fully contained, and soon. And those working in these rugged conditions carry on safely.  Watch video HERE

This is a short documentary that a few of us put together about the CA “rim” fire. It focuses primarily on the impact of our community of Tuolumne County.

This is RAW footage and RAW audio in that I was trying to get this out within 24 hours to the people in the midst of the fire. So bare with me, after the fire is resolved I will color grade it and send my audio off to be mixed and mastered. I apologize! -Midview Studios

Net proceeds to benefit forest restoration and Fireman's Fund Order yours now!

Net proceeds to benefit forest restoration and Fireman’s Fund
Order yours now!

In addition folks up in Groveland have designed items to be sold with the net proceeds going to help restore the forest as well as the Fireman’s Fund.  T-Shirts are $20 each with sizes Adult Small – Adult 3X and more information can be found HERE

Because the area depends so heavily on the tourist industry which has been cut short, many local small businesses are hurting. Bad. We are working to get information on how we can purchase items online so we can help support them during this time of need. More info HERE

"We are always ready." Airmen from the 129th RQW remain on standby at the fire operations stagging area waiting for their next round with #RimFire. (Photo courtesy of SrA John Pharr, 129th Public Affairs) Here's the 129th RQW's latest numbers from when we first joined the fight: Buckets/gallons dropped: 457 buckets/ 210892 gallons Hours flown: 86.7 Sorties Flown: 73

“We are always ready.” Airmen from the 129th RQW remain on standby at the fire operations stagging area waiting for their next round with #RimFire. (Photo courtesy of SrA John Pharr, 129th Public Affairs)
Here’s the 129th RQW’s latest numbers from when we first joined the fight:
Buckets/gallons dropped: 457 buckets/ 210892 gallons
Hours flown: 86.7
Sorties Flown: 73

MODIS Map Aug 31 11:15AM Mike McEvoy

MODIS Map Aug 31 11:15AM
Mike McEvoy

Mike McEvoy continually shares updates on a few local websites up in the Tuolumne Area

To see more of his maps go HERE

This a picture of Woodland Ave Volunteer Fire Dept. Part of XST4202C with Turlock Rural, Ceres, Modesto, and West Stan some of them been there since 8-20. Want to send a big thank you some of these guys left their crops and businesses behind to help others along with the other 2 strike teams from Stanislaus County huge thank you and come home safe Photo: Anonymous by choice

This a picture of Woodland Ave Volunteer Fire Dept. Part of XST4202C with Turlock Rural, Ceres, Modesto, and West Stan some of them been there since 8-20. Want to send a big thank you some of these guys left their crops and businesses behind to help others along with the other 2 strike teams from Stanislaus County huge thank you and come home safe
Photo: Anonymous by choice

RIM FIRE INFORMATION
Update #24
Release for Saturday, August 31, 2013/Time: 6:30 AM

Incident Statics
Acres Burned: 219,277 (343 square miles) Structures Threatened: 4,500
Containment: 35% Residences Destroyed: 11
Fire Start Date: August 17, 2013 Commercial Property Destroyed: 3
Fire Cause: Under Investigation Outbuildings Destroyed: 97
Cost to date: $54.8 million Injuries: 4
Total Personnel 4,995

Fire Update
Last night a spot fire crossed Old Yosemite Road, prompting an expansion of the Mandatory Evacuation in Mariposa County. Crews burned south from Hetch Hetchy toward Harden Lake on the eastern flank. Crews continued structure defense in the Highway 108 and 120 corridors, and around Cherry Lake. Today’s operations will included actions to control the spot fire south of Old Yosemite Road. Crews will also begin a burning operation from Duckwall Mountain north to Fahey Meadow along Forest Road 3N07and will continue a burning operation in Yosemite National Park near Harden Lake and south to White Wolf and to Tioga Road. Aircraft will continue to support burning operations.

Park and Forest Closures
Yosemite National Park has closed Tamarack Flat and Yosemite Creek Campgrounds, both located along Tioga Road. White Wolf Campground and White Wolf Lodge remain closed. The Stanislaus National Forest has issued an area closure for the entire Groveland Ranger District and for the Mi-Wok Ranger District east of Highway 108. Additional details are available from the Stanislaus Forest Supervisor’s Office, 209-532-3671; Mi-Wok Ranger Station, (209) 586-3234; Summit Ranger Station, 209-965-3434; and Groveland Ranger Station, 209-962-7825.

Road Closures
Highway 120 remains closed from Buck Meadows to 1 ½ miles east of White Wolf. Highway 120 east/Tioga Road remains open from 1 ½ miles east of White Wolf to the Tioga Pass entrance. Cherry Lake Road is closed at Highway 120. Evergreen Road and Old Yosemite Road are also closed. Highway 120 from Ferretti Road to Buck Meadows remains open for local residents and businesses only.

Evacuations and Advisories
The Mariposa County Sherriff has expanded the Mandatory Evacuation along Old Yosemite Road to include areas North and South of Bull Creek Road to Little Grizzly Mountain. The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Department on Thursday lifted the evacuation advisory for Tuolumne City, Soulsbyville and Willow Springs. The evacuation advisory remains in effect for Ponderosa Hills and areas east, along the south side of Highway 108 up to Pinecrest. An Evacuation Warning has been issued for all residences of Bondurant Mine Road, Texas Hill Road, and Wampum Hill. Highway 120 at the Yosemite National Park boundary west to Buck Meadows has been evacuated. Evacuation centers are at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds in Sonora and at the Greeley Hill Community Center.

Basic Information

Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Under Investigation
Date of Origin Saturday August 17th, 2013 approx. 03:15 PM
Location Groveland Range District, Stanislaus NF
Incident Commander Wilkins/lawshe

Current Situation

Total Personnel 4,995
Size 219,277 acres
Percent Contained 35%
Estimated Containment Date Sunday October 20th, 2013 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels Involved Brush, Oaks, and Pine
Fire Behavior Very active fire behavior on the south and east sides of the fire overnight with running surface fire, group tree torching with considerable amounts of spotting. Moderate fire behavior with backing fire observed where fire was burning from ridgetops downslope.
Significant Events Burnout operations were completed between Big Oak Station to Hazel Green Ranch, however a large spot occurred southeast of Pilot Peak Lookout. Mandatory evacuations continue South of HWY 120 on the south eastern edge of the fire and towards Yosemite National Park North of the Old Yosemite Road. Mandatory evacuations north and south of Bull Creek Road to Little Grizzly Mountain. Closure of Tioga Road West of Yosemite Creek Picnic Area. Structure defense around Aspen Valley by ground and aerial resources was occurring in the afternoon. Evacuation advisories in Tuolumne City, Soulsbyville, and Willow Springs were lifted on Thursday, August 29th. The evacuation advisory remains in effect for Ponderosa Hills and areas east, along the south side of Highway 108 up to Pinecrest. A Forest Closure is in effect for locations near, and in, advance of the fire. Several locations on the west side of Yosemite National Park have had closures implemented as a result of the fires spread. Contingency planning, indirect line construction and preparation to the east of the Highway 108 corridor. Access and difficult terrain remain concerns for crews and equipment. Burnout operations were initiated South of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir inside Yosemite National Park. Burnout operations were completed between Big Oak Station to Hazel Green Ranch. Burnout operations were initiated between Hells Mountain to Clavey Meadow.

Outlook

Planned Actions Direct line construction with Type 1 crews supported by heavy aircraft to contain a large spot fire southeast of Pilot Lookout. Continued direct and indirect line construction accompanied by burnout oeprations where accessibility and safety allow along the northern and eastern edges of the fire. Burnout operations planned in the Hull Creek Drainage. There will be continued contingency line construction in advance of the communities of Tuolumne City, Twain Harte, and Long Barn. Mopup and and contingency line construction will take place on the western and southern edges of the fire. Continued construction and improvement of contingency lines along Dodge Ridge will happen. A burnout operation is planned for the eastern edge of the fire in Yosemite National Park between the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and Harden Lake and along the Big Oak Road near Crane Flat as favorable conditions allow. burnout operations on the northern edge of the fire between Hells Mountain and Clavey Meadows will continue.
Growth Potential Extreme
Terrain Difficulty Extreme
Remarks Rapid fire growth and extreme fire behavior continue to hamper suppression efforts. A significant utilization and reliance upon aerial resources with heavy air tankers including the VLAT DC-10 and MAFFS is occurring with reinforcement of control lines in advance of the fire’s spread, control of spot fires, and slowing the fire’s advancement through terrain inaccessible to ground resources to allow time for indirect line construction to be completed. Type 1 helicopters are providing point protection and cooling areas where direct line construction can be achieved safely. Approximately 4,500 structures remain threatened in advance of the fire on both the east and west sides. Fire is expected to continue its eastward spread father into the west side of Yosemite National Park east of Aspen Valley. Several residents remain under mandatory evacuation in the Scotts Ridge area south of HWY 120 and near Little Grizzly Mountain.

Due to inaccessible steep terrain and extreme fire behavior suppression efforts on active portions of the fire are being significantly challenged. Heavy reliance on aviation resources has been critical in an effort to slow the fire’s progress to allow suppression resources to establish indirect control lines in areas where accessibility and safety can be achieved. The availability of heavy aircraft is pertinent to the success of suppression efforts.

Continued warmer and drier weather is forecasted for the next several days, which will elevate control concerns and slow burnout progress. Remotely piloted aircraft is providing realtime visual and infrared intelligence on the fire. Continued unified command with CAL FIRE.

Current Weather

Wind Conditions 12 mph NW
Temperature 68 degrees
Humidity 42%
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JC
JC
10 years ago

Ordered 2 t-shirts a out 3 weeks ago, would like to check on order status. Can you help?

Small business owner in Groveland
Small business owner in Groveland
10 years ago

Just a little confused! How is shopping on-line for these products being sold through a non-profit agency helping the local small business.

Lynn
10 years ago

WOW! It is incredible what the reach of social media has become. I am honored to have been part of these connections between South City and Groveland. Thank you for a fantastic post. I know all of Groveland hope you will help by shopping on line, but even more, by coming! Either to Groveland as the destination itself or through Groveland on your way to Yosemite. A night stay, a dinner, a stroll, a beer at that bar… It all helps to get the little town of Groveland back on its feet.