SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – Cloud cover over the French Fire today helped with suppression activities, allowing crews and equipment to make good progress in line construction along the northwest perimeter, the area of most concern for the fire management team.
Crews have now completed line around 40% of the perimeter.
As fire on the interior continued to burn out in the northern portion of the fire, direct line was completed from Chiquito Creek to the west. Crews continue to reinforce lines on the rest of the perimeter.
The fire has backed down to the San Joaquin River on the east side, eliminating fuels and bolstering containment on the eastern perimeter.
Structure defense continues in Arnold Meadow, the Hogue Ranch and Kinsman Flat area.
Historic buildings at Placer Guard Station have been wrapped in a fire resistant aluminum barrier. The material is said to reflect 95 percent of the radiant heat and eliminate the exposure of areas where embers might lodge and start smouldering. The shields are secured with heat-stable adhesive tape, and secured at the bottom with dirt.
Investigators continue to see the public’s help in gathering information about anyone who was seen in the area of Rock Creek Road near the San Joaquin River during the afternoon or evening of Sunday, July 27. An investigation has concluded that an abandoned campfire near the Rock Creek Campground was the cause of the French Fire. The abandoned campfire was located towards the bottom of Rock Creek Road, near the San Joaquin River.
A Forest Service Area Road and Trail Closure, Forest Order # 15-14-07, has been issued for the French Fire area. More information about the Forest Closure and the closure can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/o44cvyu.
There are now 1,883 personnel assigned to the incident. The listed acreage of 13,267 will be updated in the morning with new data from tonight’s flyover.
Cloudy with much cooler temperatures are forecast for tonight, with potential showers and thunderstorms and less smoke as the upper-level low moves over the area.
