USFS news release
Springs Fire, 13 miles southeast of Lee Vining
Incident Start Date: 7/26/2019 Cause: Lightning Size: 1,216 acres Containment: 15%
Incident Type: Suppression/Multiple Objectives Vegetation Type: Brush and timber
Agency: Inyo National Forest, U.S.D.A. Forest Service
Resources Assigned: Engines: 9 Helicopters: 1 Crews: 6 Water Tenders: 4 Total Personnel: 179
Current Situation: The Type 3 Interagency Incident Management Organization is managing the Springs Fire. Over the last 2 days firefighters have continued with prep work on control lines as well as conducting tactical firing. This preparation and getting more depth to the perimeter is essential for today’s operational plan which includes the use of aType 3 helicopter mounted with a Plastic Sphere Dispenser (PSD). The plastic spheres contain potassium permanganate and are injected with ethylene glycol (antifreeze) by the PSD before being discharged.
A chemical reaction between the potassium permanganate and ethylene glycol causes the sphere to ignite approximately 20 to 30 seconds after injection. This method of ignition is very cost effective and reduces firefighter exposure. Approximately 259 acres are planned using the PSD today.
Much of the smoke will likely drain into the Long Valley area potentially impacting the community of Crowley Lake by Thursday and Friday morning before mostly dispersing each afternoon.
Mammoth Lakes, Devils Postpile, June Lake, and Lee Vining may see moderate-level smoke later in the mornings and early afternoons, as the smoke clears. Benton and Bridgeport will most likely experience lighter haze, mostly aloft.
The latest daily air quality forecasts and site by site details can be found at- https://fires.airfire.org/outlooks/InyoNationalForest
The Who’s Who of the Incident Management Organization:
There are many different agencies assisting with the Springs fire. Along with the helicopter mounted PSD tactical firing today, a specialized team from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will be using a drone with PSD capabilities to conduct firing in areas that require more precise control.
The Inyo National Forest and the Bishop BLM Field Office work as an Interagency Organization. Many Bishop BLM employees are assisting with the Springs fire in areas such as Finance and Geographic Information System (GIS) map design. Multiple other agencies are assisting with management on the Spring fire including, Antelope Valley Fire Protection District, San Bernardino County, National Park Service, Bureau of
Indian Affairs, California Conservation Corps, San Manual Fire Department, and Barstow Fire Department, Marine Corps Logistics Base.
Closure Order: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is now in place for the Springs fire. Please go to the following link
https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_9_7847.html for detailed information about the TFR. Forest Order No. 05-04-50-19-
09 is in effect for some roads leading into the Springs fire to provide for public and firefighter safety. See Exhibit B of the
Forest Order for a description of the exact closure area, or the provided closure map here:
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/6477/
For the latest information try these sources:
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6477/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/inyonf
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