Whites Fire Community Update – Evening 08-12-14 It was a long crazy day today and in all likelihood, tomorrow and the next day will longer and crazier. I don’t know where to start, and I’m too tired to make this a long update… With the winds rising, a huge plume coming up out of Whites gulch, being told that sprinkler systems and tank weren’t going up in Sawyers, learning that it was too dangerous for the retardant drop to strengthen the Sawyers line, and that any structure protection efforts were unlikely up Eddy Gulch, our moral was lagging this afternoon to say the least. There was a strong feeling of being days behind the fire in both tactics and operations. Apparently there were very few pumps available to the Sawyers Bar Structure Division, and even with the 15 engines in Sawyers there weren’t enough resources on the ground to do what was needed. After some negotiation, sharing of maps and intel, our local crews were given a few sprinkler kits to attach to the system we had set up around the Historic Church, but not enough to take many up to Eddy Gulch, the area we felt would be in the bite first. After setting up as many sprinklers as out pump could handle around the church, a few of us took the remaining sprinklers up to Eddy Gulch to assess the situation ourselves and add what we could to the defenses. Apparently our tense conversation had some affect; we were pleasantly surprised to see structure crews unpacking sprinkler systems up and down the Eddy Gulch neighborhood. The crews were willing to work with landowners to set up hose lays and complete last minute fuels work. This evening we had a really positive interaction with the Sawyers Structure Division Branch, he was very receptive to working with us, gave us a thorough rundown on the updated and improved structure plan for Sawyers Bar and Eddy Gulch, and was eager to pool resources and efforts with locals to get Sawyers as prepared as possible in the limited time we have left. There are 10 engines in Sawyers tonight: 1 engine at Flapjack Ranch, others patrolling Eddy Gulch and numerous stationed throughout town. The hose line and hoselays are complete behind Sawyers. Locals and engine crews have begun to set residences up with pumps in the river and sprinkler systems. Locals have amassed numerous pumps to be used throughout the town in conjunction with team hose and sprinklers. The structure division will begin to cut a line directly behind the upslope houses in Sawyers tomorrow morning, putting in a hose lay with a 1inch line coming off every 100 ft to help with spot fires. We plan to meet with the Sawyers Structure Division in the morning to pool resources and efforts. I’ll give you an update on fire movement in the morning. Goodnight.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 08:02:49 +0000
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