Started Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012, 2:15 pm Links | Photos | InciWeb Updates
Ten years ago, on September 22, 2002, the Williams Fire began its rampage near Williams Camp in the East Fork San Gabriel River. By the time the fire was contained, it had destroyed 37,240 areas of our Angeles National Forest.
On Labor Day Sunday, September 2, 2012, I climbed to Hawkins Ridge commemorating the 10-year anniversary of the Curve Fire which destroyed the historic South Mount Hawkins Fire Lookout. As I was standing on the ruins of the historic fire lookout, my heart sank as I spotted a fire at 2:32 due south. It was nearly the exact same time 10 years ago to the day when a fire lookout would have spotted the start of the Curve Fire. The timing was extraordinary. The hike was surreal.
The Williams Fire 2012 began on Labor Day Sunday, September 2 at about 2:15 p.m., The fire’s origin was in San Gabriel Canyon on East Fork Road about half way between Williams Camp and Burro Canyon Shooting Park to the west, about 3 1/2 miles east of Hwy 39. Officials determined that the fire was caused by a parked car. The hot undercarriage ignited grass, which set the car ablaze and ignited the hillside. On Wednesday, September 12, the fire was reported as 100% contained. It consumed 4,192 acres of Angeles National Forest and took $9 million fight. As with the 2009 Station Fire, the Forest Service again is suspect of responding too slowly with the aerial attack, thus allowing the fire to blaze out of control when it may been possible to contain it early on.
Hiker's note: Rattlesnake Peak has burned. The slopes west of Shoemaker Canyon Road have burned.
Below you will find:
- Links
- Photos
- Updates from InciWeb showing the progress of fighting the fire
 Links
Dan's Hiking Blog: |
Photos
Labor Day Monday, September 3, 2012
InciWeb Reports
Size: 3,634 acres / Percent Contained: 24%
Estimated Containment Date: Thursday September 13, 2012 approx. 12:00 a.m.
Fire Behavior: During the last 48 hours, the fire has been in a predominatly downhill backing situation. As the fire comes into alignment with topography, significant flare-ups continue to occur. A burning operation to strengthen certain areas is the reason for the majority of visible fire activity during the day. The primary spread of the fire continues to the north and east.
Significant Events: Good fire line construction progress was made today and burnout operations were successful. The infrared flight from last night provided additional perimeter information and confirmed active areas on the fire. Highway 39 remains closed where rolling rocks are a safety issue. Evacuations of Camp Williams, East Fork Campground and San Gabriel Canyon are still in effect. Resources include 0 air tanker, 10 helicopters, 63 engines, 8 dozer, 34 hand crews and 11 water tenders.
Fuels Involved: Medium to Heavy Brush. Mostly Chaparral, brush and mixed conifers. Fuels are approximately 15 to 20 years old.
Terrain Difficulty: Very Steep. 30% to 80% slope.
Remarks: Origin of Fire is about half-way between Camp Williams and the Shooting Range along East Fork Road in San Gabriel Canyon, North of Azusa about 3 1/2 miles east of Highway 39.
Size: 4,180 acres / Percent Contained: 48%
Estimated Containment Date: Thursday September 13, 2012 approx. 12:00 a.m.
Fire Behavior: (5:15pm) The fire continued active ovnierght while continuing to back down hill in the south and western portions of the of the fire. Slow to moderate activity was observed in the northern and eastern portions.
Fire Behavior (7:55pm): Little fire activity was observed today. Smoldering fire behavior was suppressed by cooler temperatures and higher humidities.
Significant Events (5:15pm) Continued line construction and reinforecement. Burnout operations were successful. The infrared flight last night will provide additional perimeter information and will confirm active areas on the fire. The evacuation order for the campgrounds and San Gabriel Canyon are still in effect. Highway 39 remains closed. Resources include 8 air tankers, 10 helicopters, 68 engines, 8 dozers, 46 hand crews and 11 water tenders.
Significant Events (7:55pm): Infrared flights will continue. The GPS flight was conducted this morning which provided a good perimeter of the fire. The evacuation order for the campgrounds and San Gabriel Canyon are still in effect. Highway 39 remains closed. Resources include 0 air tanker, 10 helicopters, 44 engines, 8 dozers, 37 hand crews and 5 water tenders.
Size: 4,180 acres / Percent Contained: 69%
Estimated Containment Date: Thursday September 13, 2012 approx. 12:00 a.m.
Fire Behavior: Limited fire activity with smoldering and small runs were observed but suppressed with the help of cooler temperatures and higher humidity. The area is expected to return to a more normal summer pattern with higher temperatures and lower humidities.
Significant Events: Infrared flights will continue nightly, concentrating on hot spots, until conditions change. This morning at 9:00am, the evacuation order was modified for the Camp Williams area. Residence with proper identification were allowed to return to their homes.The evacuation order for the campgrounds and San Gabriel Canyon are still in effect. Highway 39 remains closed. Resources include 0 air tanker, 10 helicopters, 43 engines, 8 dozers, 35 hand crews and 11 water tenders.
Size: 4,180 acres / Percent Contained: 78%
Estimated Containment Date: Thursday September 13, 2012 approx. 12:00 a.m.
Fire Behavior (8:20 a.m.): Limited fire activity was observed overnight.
Fire Behavior (7:40 p.m.): Several areas of heat continue to smolder. Role out and snags continue to be a concern.
Significant Events (8:20 a.m.): Crews were very successful late yesterday in suppression efforts. The infrared flight that took place last night concentrated on hot spots. The evacuation order for the campgrounds and San Gabriel Canyon are still in effect. Highway 39 remains closed. Resources include 1 air tanker, 10 helicopters, 38 engines, 8 dozers, 36 hand crews and 11 water tenders.
Significant Events (7:40 p.m.): Crews have been very successful in line construction, given the topography in which they are working in. The evacuation order for the campgrounds and San Gabriel Canyon are still in effect. Highway 39 remains closed. Resources include 0 air tanker, 0 helicopters, 20 engines, 8 dozers, 24 hand crews and 10 water tenders.
Planned Actions (7:40 p.m.): Today, the northern portion of the fire remained the concentration point with hand crews and air support. The rest of the fire is in patrol, mop-up and rehabilitation status where necessary.
InciWeb Report, 9-8-12, Saturday, 9:00 p.m.
Size: 4,192 acres / Percent Contained: 83%
Estimated Containment Date: Thursday September 13, 2012 approx. 12:00 a.m.
Fire Behavior: Several isolated areas of heat remain, including smoldering and small flare ups. Roll outs and snags continue to be a concern.
Significant Events: Crews have been very successful in line construction, given the topography in which they are working in. The evacuation order for the campgrounds and San Gabriel Canyon are still in effect. Highway 39 remains closed however, today campers were allowed to return to the canyon, escorted by law enforecement, to retrieve their belonging left behind during the evacuation. Resources include 0 air tanker, 10 helicopters, 18 engines, 8 dozers, 15 hand crews and 0 water tenders.
InciWeb Report, 9-12-12, Wednesday, 6:00 a.m.
Size: 4,192 acres / Percent Contained: 100%
Fire Behavior: Little to no activity was observed.
Significant Events: The San Gabriel Canyon will remain closed until further notice. Highway 39 to Glendora Mountain and Glendora Ridge Road remain closed. San Gabriel Canyon is closed to the public, including recreational visitors and only opened to permanent residents. Resources include 0 air tanker, 5 helicopters, 3 engines, 0 dozer, 6 hand crews and 7 water tenders.
Amazing yet terrible photos Dan, stay safe out there on the ridges!
ReplyDeleteI hate seeing these fires but they do tell us that these fires are needed every so many years to create new growth.
ReplyDeleteI was at the Gateway Visitor Center when it started...I am a volunteer with ANF ...we spent the rest of the day turning cars around....One lady said she saw the car fire that started it.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to say that the forest can't cope with fires as often as every 10 years; the natural interval (not started by man) is more like 35 to 50. With increased fire frequency, regeneration can never replace what was lost. Also, the southwest USA is getting drier each year (climate change) so it's hard for new trees to get established. If these fires started in the East Fork continue at this frequency, all we'll be left with are grasses and poodledog bush.
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