Alder Fire: 557 acres burned, 3 percent contained
The Alder fire near Camp Nelson continues to burn in rugged terrain, and only 3 percent of the fire has been contained, according to information released Tuesday by the United States Forest Service.
Just five miles north of Camp Nelson by North Alder Creek, the Alder Fire has burned 557 acres since October 4.
The cause of the fire is reported to be lightning, and it is burning so intensely that an area closure has been in effect for the area around the Alder Fire on the Western Divide Ranger District since October 20.
Over 150 personnel, including four hand crews, seven engines, two helicopters, four fallers, three patrols and a Bobcat are on scene attempting to contain the flames.
The fire continues to burn on the north side of North Alder Creek in a dense patch of timber with extensive amounts of dead trees, which produced many snags and heavy fuels on the ground. Given these conditions, a confine and contain suppression strategy is being used to manage the fire.
To confine and contain the fire, managers have implemented a strategic aerial firing operation. Last week, helicopters were employed to ignite small amounts of fire on top of the ridge on the north side to prevent the flames from crossing the top of the ridge and spreading even further. Topographical features and past burn scars within the planning area are being used to minimize the overall acreage of the fire.
The Alder Fire is slowly and steadily spreading toward the west. It is burning with low intensity, mostly on the ground, with flames occasionally catching dying and dead trees.
On the eastern edge, the fire is not spreading because it burned into a rock escarpment. Daily aerial reconnaissance flights will continue to be
used to check the progression of the fire.
Along with firing operations from the air, firefighters have been preparing a perimeter around the Doyle Springs and Sequoia Crest communities by opening and improving existing fire lines, using roads, trails and some handlines.
Crews have also been setting up hose lines with portable pumps and water tanks in case they are needed
to hold the line if the fire advances. These are precautionary measures in the unlikely event that the fire progresses to the south closer to these communities.
A night shift with two engines and an incident commander continue to be employed to monitor the fire during the night.
Smoke from the Alder Fire will be visible in the valley. In areas near the fire, smoke will likely accumulate overnight due to an inversion and be particularly heavy in the morning.