News release – Friday 10:30 am

Slinkard Fire Update:

Update: The Slinkard fire is being managed by a Sierra Front Type 3 Incident Management Team. Embedding on the fire today is the Southern California Type 2 Incident Management Team 3.

Last night, the fire’s activity continued to be active and erratic. Most activity was on the western and northern perimeters with fire activity backing down slopes towards Hwy 395 and moving rapidly in the grasses. The California Inspection Station in Topaz was saved. The community of Holbrook Junction is our protection priority, along with improving dozer lines and defending Leviathan lookout. Priorities of the Slinkard fire is always firefighter/public safety, all structures protected and natural resources maintained.

Evacuations: Topaz north of Highway 89 to the Nevada State line.

Closures: For public safety, Hwy 89 remains closed between Hwy 395 and Hwy 4 at Monitor Pass. Hwy 395 is closed from the junction of State Route 182 in Bridgeport to the Nevada state line. However, Hwy 395 will be open for local traffic with highway patrol escort when safe. A detour is in place for Hwy 395 and access to Bridgeport remains open. Hwy 108 (Sonora Pass) is open, but drivers must go south on Hwy 395 and then connect to the detour in Bridgeport if traveling north.

Resources: Numerous resources are ordered including hand crews, which are a critical need, as well as air resources. An Incident Management Type 2 Team is also responding.

Location: The Fire is located in Slinkard Valley and the west slope of Antelope Valley, west of Topaz in Mono County, CA. The fire is burning in cheat grass, sagebrush and pinyon/juniper.

Cooperators:

Bureau of Land Management Bishop Field Office, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Antelope Valley Fire Protection District, East Fork Valley Fire Protection District, CA-EOS, CAL FIRE, Mono County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, Nevada Highway Patrol, Nevada Division of Forestry, Douglas County Sheriff’s Department, Cal Trans and Nevada DOT.

Size:

7,200 Acres

Containment:

0%

Location:

Topaz Lake

8 miles north of Walker, CA

West of Highway 395 and across Highway 89

Structures Lost:

0

Resources:

4 Hand Crews

51 Fire Engines

8 Aircraft

2 Dozers

 

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News release – Thursday 9 am

TOPAZ, Calif. – The Slinkard Fire is estimated to be 5,000 acres with 0% containment this morning. The fire has burned to Hwy 395 and crossed Hwy 89 to the north.

Last night, fire crews focused on the eastern flank of the fire along Hwy 395 and engine crews were dedicated to structure protection in northern Topaz. There are no injuries and no structures lost at this time. Power is out in the immediate area.

The Sierra Front 2 (Type 3) Incident Management Team took command of the incident last night. Today, fire crews will continue to focus on protecting structures and infrastructure near in Topaz and along the Hwy 395 corridor, re-establishing anchor points on the fire and constructing fire line for perimeter control.

Topaz has been evacuated north of Hwy 89 to the Nevada state line. For public safety, Hwy 89 remains closed between Hwy 395 and Hwy 4 (at Monitor Pass). Hwy 395 is closed from the junction of State Route 182 in Bridgeport to the Nevada state line. However, Hwy 395 will be open with highway patrol escort when safe.

A detour is in place for Hwy 395 and access to Bridgeport remains open.

Numerous resources are ordered including hand crews, which are a critical need, and air attack and lead plane, two single engine air tankers, a heavy air tanker and two super scoopers.

The fire is located in Slinkard Valley and the west slope of Antelope Valley, west of Topaz in Mono County, California. The fire is burning in cheat grass, sagebrush and pinyon/juniper.

There are two hand crews, 30 engines, three helicopters, four water tenders, 1 dozer and support staff assigned to the fire. A Type 2 Incident Management Team is en route. This is a lightning-caused fire.

Cooperators include the Bureau of Land Management Bishop Field Office, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Antelope Valley Fire Protection District, East Fork Fire Protection District, Cal OES, CAL FIRE, Mono County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, Nevada Highway Patrol, Douglas County Sherriff’s Department, CalTrans and Nevada DOT.

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From Wednesday

News release

Evening update

TOPAZ, Calif. – The Slinkard Fire is now estimated to be 3,000 acres and 0% contained. It is located in the Slinkard Valley, west of Topaz in Mono County, California. The fire is burning in cheat grass, sagebrush and pinyon/juniper.

The fire crossed Hwy 89 and moved east towards Topaz with the afternoon down canyon winds. Fire crews continue to put in dozer line along the eastern edge of Topaz and numerous engines are in place for structure protection. This evening’s winds were not as strong as predicted and this is assisting fire crews in their efforts. Crews will continue these efforts tonight with the focus being on protecting the town of Topaz.

Topaz has been evacuated north of Hwy 89 to the Nevada state line.

For public safety, Hwy 89 remains closed between Hwy 395 and Hwy 4 (at Monitor Pass).  Hwy 395 is closed from the junction of State Route 182 in Bridgeport to the Nevada state line.

There are five hand crews, numerous engines, three helicopters and support staff assigned to the fire. A Type 3 Incident Management Team is en route.  A Type 1 Incident Management Team is being ordered. This appears to be a lightning-caused fire.

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The Slinkard Fire, located in the Slinkard Valley, west of Topaz in Mono County, California continues to grow today influenced by wind.

The fire has crossed Hwy 89 and is moving east towards Topaz. Hwy 395 is closed and Topaz has been evacuated north of Hwy 89 to the Nevada state line. Fire crews are putting in dozer line along the eastern edge of Topaz and numerous engines are in place for structure protection.

The fire is estimated to be 1,500 acres with 0% containment. The fire is burning in cheat grass, sagebrush and pinyon/juniper.

For public safety, Hwy 89 remains closed between Hwy 395 and Hwy 4 (at Monitor Pass).  Hwy 395 is closed from the junction of State Route 82 in Bridgeport to the Nevada state line.

Unsettled weather will remain a concern for today, with thunderstorm activity and winds in the forecast.

There are five crews, numerous engines, three helicopters are support staff assigned to the fire. A Type 3 Team has been ordered and is en route. A Type 1 Team is being ordered. This appears to be a lightning-caused fire.