Yesterday produced heavy rainfall and lightning over the fire area. The fireline held and firefighters continued to mop up, monitor, patrol, and haul in equipment. Fire within the interior continues to burn inside the containment lines in interior islands. While new fires are still possible, yesterday’s rain should decrease the risk for new starts making large runs. Today, firefighters will repair and rehabilitate roads and areas around the incident to restore any damage that may have occurred. This is the last day CIIMT 14 will be managing the fire. They will turn command of the fire back to the Inyo NF tomorrow at 7 am. Resources will be released when they are no longer needed so they can be available for other fires in and out of the region. (See Fire Map and Progression Maps below.) More information on fire after map.

The Big Springs and Bald Mountain Springs Campgrounds will remain closed while the fire is still active and firefighting resources are still in the area. Roads in the immediate vicinity will also remain closed to the public: North of the Owens River Rd. (2S07), east of Highway 395, west of Forest Rd. 1S17, and south of Highway 120. (See Forest Closure Order.)

July 18, 2021 at 8:58 am – DEXTER FIRE UPDATE- InciWeb LinkIncident

Start Date: July 12, 2021 Cause: Lightning   Acreage: 2,847   Containment: 64%

Hand Crews: 5   Engines: 14   Helicopters: 4   Dozers: 3   Water Tenders: 8

Total Personnel: 382 

Firefighters conducted the last day of strategic firing operations yesterday (7/17) before the expected change of weather today (7/18). Containment improved in all areas around the fireline.  Crews made good progress as they increased mop up depth around the perimeter. Spotfires were found outside the fireline but were confined. Fire within the interior continues to burn inside the containment lines consuming available fuels through grass, brush and scattered timber. Today, crews will continue strengthening and improving the containment line and increasing the depth of mopping up.

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag warning for today with warmer air coming into the area. Dry lighting is possible today before moist air with the threat of thunderstorms increasing into tomorrow. Strong outflow winds are possible as air masses become more unstable.

The Big Springs and Bald Mountain Springs Campgrounds remain closed while the fire is still active. Roads in the immediate vicinity are also closed to the public: North of the Owens River Rd. (2S07), east of Highway 395, west of Forest Rd. 1S17, and south of Highway 120. (See Forest Closure Order.)

The Basics:  Incident Type: Wildfire; Updated: 59 min. ago; Size: 2,558 Acres; Contained: 26%

[Incremental progress is being made by the forest service with an increase in containment of 11% from the day before and a small increase in the total burn acreage. That many fires are allowed to burn is important if no lives or structures are involved. It is, in fact, “natural.” Human intervention and the increase of  people moving into heavily forested or fire-prone areas, combined with forest service fire policies often forced on them by some, not all, environmental groups have exacerbated the situation.

Fire behavior yesterday was moderated by heavy smoke in the fire area. It was less windy, giving firefighters an opportunity to strengthen and improve containment lines. Crews made good progress on the southern flank as they increased mop up depth toward Pilot Springs Rd. The fireline was strengthened along the northern edge also, while small spotfires on the southeast were confined. The fire continues to burn between the Pilot Springs Rd and the 2S04 Road on the northeast edge. Today, crews will continue firing operations to keep the fire within the perimeter.

 The threat of thunderstorms may be less again today which will mitigate the extreme runs the fire made in previous afternoons. Smoke may continue to impact the Mammoth Lakes area from other fires in the area. Resources including the Bald Mountain Lookout Tower, critical Sage Grouse habitat, Forest Service campgrounds, Native American cultural resources, the Mono Lupine, and Northern Goshawk habitat remain threatened.

The Big Springs and Bald Mountain Springs Campgrounds are closed. Roads in the immediate vicinity are also closed to the public: North of the Owens River Rd. (2S07), east of Highway 395, west of Forest Rd. 1S17, and south of Highway 120. (See Forest Closure Order.)

Fire Restrictions remain in effect for the Inyo National Forest and Bishop Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Campfires are allowed only in developed campgrounds and recreation sites. A portable stove or lantern using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel may be used with a valid wilderness or California Campfire Permit in dispersed areas. Smoking is only allowed within an enclosed vehicle, building, a developed recreation site, or in an area at least three feet in diameter cleared of flammable material.

Incident Start Date: July 12, 2021 Cause: Lightning Acreage: 2,362 Containment: 15%; Hand Crews: 6 Engines: 30 Helicopters: 4 Air Tankers: 2 Dozers: 3 Water Tenders: 2

Total Personnel: 308

Yesterday, afternoon winds continued to spread the fire to the northeast within the planned fire perimeter, while crews strengthened and monitored the northern and southern flanks.  Mop up (extinguishing the smoldering area along the fireline) has begun in both of those areas. The fire is still active on the northeast edge and today’s priority is to continue strategic firing to keep the fire within the perimeter. Some aircraft has been diverted due to regional priorities for other fire starts, but will still be available to assist with slowing fire spread.

Surface fuels include sage in the lower elevations, Jeffrey Pine at mid elevations, and Lodgepole Pine and mixed conifer in higher areas. Fire behavior includes torching and short to moderate duration crown fire during the heat of the burn period, but low to moderate spread most of the day and evenings. Spotfires are spreading up to 1/2 mile but are being managed quickly. The majority of threat to structures to the south along Owens River has been mitigated. Crews will continue to prepare for strategic burning this evening from the Pilot Springs Rd. to the west.

 The threat of thunderstorms may be less today, giving firefighters a window to complete burning and secure the fireline. However, a hot and dry airmass will move into the area, reinforcing fuel receptivity. Smoke may continue to impact the Mammoth Lakes area from the Dexter Fire (east) and the River Fire (Mariposa—west).

Mandatory evacuations for campers have been implemented in the Bald Mountain area. The Big Springs and Bald Mountain Springs Campgrounds have been evacuated and are currently closed. Roads in the immediate vicinity are also closed to the public: North of the Owens River Rd. (2S07), east of Highway 395, west of Forest Rd. 1S17, and south of Highway 120.

Fire Restrictions remain in effect for the Inyo National Forest and Bishop Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Campfires are allowed only in developed campgrounds and recreation sites. A portable stove or lantern using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel may be used with a valid wilderness or California Campfire Permit in dispersed areas. Smoking is only allowed within an enclosed vehicle, building, a developed recreation site, or in an area at least three feet in diameter cleared of flammable material.

InciWeb at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7656/

Forest Facebook https://www.facebook.com/inyonf

Twitter pages: https://twitter.com/Inyo_NF

Incident Start Date: July 12, 2021 Cause: Lightning Acreage: 2,000 Containment: 13% Hand Crews: 5

Engines: 28 Helicopters: 4 Air Tankers: 2 Dozers: 3 Water Tenders: 4 Total Personnel: 266

Today, firefighters will be working to hold and improve the north side of the fire to the Pilot Springs Rd., and monitoring and mopping up the southern dozer line to the east. Firefighters will be looking for opportunities to continue with strategic firing to keep the fire on the west side of Pilot Springs Rd.

The threat of thunderstorms should decrease today, giving firefighters relief from the extreme runs of the last two days. The Springs Fire of 2019 on the northwest side and the Clark and Owens River Fires on the south is holding the fire within the existing fire perimeter in those areas. Smoke will continue to impact the Mammoth Lakes area from the Dexter Fire (east) and the River Fire (Mariposa—west).

CA Interagency Incident Management Team 14 assumed command of the fire at 7 p.m. yesterday, July 14. The Type 2 team will bring additional resources to the fire to aid in suppression.