Wednesday night Taboose update: red-flag conditions through Thursday morning

USFS news release

Taboose Fire

The Taboose Fire saw minimal growth through the afternoon with 10,121 total acres burned and 63% containment. Crews continue to focus on the southern divisions of the fire as an approaching cold front is anticipated to bring increased winds out of the northwest this evening.

Progress was made in establishing control lines west of Goodale Loop this afternoon and two crews will remain on the line monitoring throughout the night. Smoke can be seen coming from the western flank of the fire as it continues to burn up into the
wilderness near Red Mountain Creek. Rock outcroppings and cliffsides provide natural barriers in these areas which pose little threat to containment objectives.

CAL FIRE is no longer in unified command as the threat to private land has been reduced. CAL FIRE resources remain prepositioned in the area for the Red Flag conditions through tomorrow morning.

Please note that Taboose Creek Campground, administered by Inyo County has been closed.

Red Flag conditions will be in effect tonight until 5AM tomorrow morning. The winds will shift from the south to west-northwest beginning this evening and into early tomorrow morning. This will challenge firefighters on the southern end as it will push the fire towards the south. Fire crews were able to put in control lines this afternoon in areas of concern in anticipation of the wind switch, and these lines will continue to be monitored throughout the night.

Fire Resources:
8 crews 18 engines 6 helicopters 1 dozer 5 water tenders 400 personnel
Closures:
Evacuation Orders
Baxter Ranch
Evacuation Advisories
Community of Aberdeen and Community of Birch Creek
Road Closures
Tinemaha Road, Taboose Creek Road at Aberdeen, Birch Creek Road, McMurry Meadows Road, Goodale
Road, and Goodale Creek Road
Campgrounds
Tinemaha and Goodale Creek and *****NEW****** Taboose Creek Campground is closed *******
Trail Closures
Red Lake, Birch Lake & Taboose Creek Trails.
Please respect these closures and avoid the nearby fire area for your own safety and that of the firefighters.

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Wednesday morning

There was no significant growth on the Taboose Fire and fire numbers are unchanged: 10,106 acres burned and 62% containment. The Infra-Red flight last night showed heat on the western side where the fire is most active as expected.

Today firefighters will focus on the southern end of the fire and seek opportunities to
establish line within the contours of the land.

CAL FIRE is no longer in unified command as the threat to private land has been reduced. CAL FIRE resources remain prepositioned in the area for the Red Flag conditions expected later this afternoon.

Please note that Taboose Creek Campground, administered by Inyo County has been closed.

Smoke is expected to be light in the Owens Valley today; there are no air quality advisories at this time. There may be smoke in the afternoon with the wind direction change.

Red Flag conditions will be in effect today from 4PM to 5AM tomorrow morning. Wind speeds this morning will be in the range of 10 – 15 mph from the south-southwest, increasing in the afternoon to 20-25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Winds from this direction will blow the fire back into the black area on the problematic southern side near Shingle Mill Bench and help firefighters. However, the winds will shift to westnorthwest early tomorrow morning. This may be more challenging to firefighters on the southern end as it will blow the fire south, where firefighters are in the process of building containment line.

Fire Resources:
15 crews 24 engines 5 helicopters 1 dozer 5 water tenders 575 personnel
Closures:
Evacuation Orders
Baxter Ranch
Evacuation Advisories
Community of Aberdeen and Community of Birch Creek
Road Closures
Tinemaha Road, Taboose Creek Road at Aberdeen, Birch Creek Road, McMurry Meadows Road, Goodale
Road, and Goodale Creek Road
Campgrounds
Tinemaha and Goodale Creek and *****NEW****** Taboose Creek Campground is closed *******
Trail Closures
Red Lake, Birch Lake & Taboose Creek Trails.
Please respect these closures and avoid the nearby fire area for your own safety and that of the firefighters

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