FRAZIER PARK, CA (Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 8:25 a.m.)—U.S. Forest Service officials declared the Grand fire 100 percent contained this morning. Demobilization continues today with more firefighters leaving Frazier Mountain Park where they have been staged for a week since the fire started on Wednesday, May 15.

FRAZIER PARK, CA (Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 11:35 a.m.)—U.S. Forest Service officials report that the Grand fire is 95 percent contained with an estimated 4,346 acres burned as the operation is in its third day of winding down. Current Situation: Little to no fire behavior has been observed, however there are still isolated hot spots in the area requiring extinguishment and continued monitoring. Smoke could be visible for the next several weeks.  Demobilization will continue as needed through the remainder of the week.

FRAZIER PARK, CA (Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 9:27 p.m.)—The Grand fire is now 80% percent contained and 4,358 acres have burned. Fire officials reported the following in this evening’s press release: Firefighters successfully completed line construction around the fire. Crews will continue to improve and hold existing lines, and continue with suppression repair. Demobilization will continue as needed through Tuesday. CAL FIRE Incident Management Team 6 plans on transitioning back to local jurisdiction 05/21/2013.

FRAZIER PARK, CA (Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 8:40 a.m.)—Fire crews have the Grand fire 70% contained, according to officials this morning. A joint press release from U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire states: “Current Situation: Firefighters successfully completed line construction around the fire. Crews will continue to improve and hold existing lines, and continue with suppression repair. Demobilization will continue. Resources departing the incident will be aware of the Heartbreak Hundred Bicycle Ride taking place in the area from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.”

FRAZIER PARK, CA (Friday, May 17, 2013 at 8:20 p.m.)—El Tejon Unified School School District opened Frazier Mountain High School on Friday after closing the school Wednesday and Thursday due to fire emergency operations at the campus. U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire officials issued the following press release on the Grand fire this evening:

Current Situation: Firefighters were successful today in completing line construction around the fire. Crews will continue to improve and hold existing containment lines and continue with fire suppression repair overnight. Demobilization of equipment and crews will begin tomorrow.

Location: Two Miles East of Frazier Park Start Date & Time: May 15, 2013 at 12:44 P.M.
Acres: 4,300
Containment: 55%
Expected Containment: May 20, 2013
Cause: Under Investigation
Injuries: 0
Structures Threatened: 0
Structures Destroyed: 0
EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT ASSIGNED:
Engines: 84
Trucks: 0
Patrols: Unknown
Fire Crews: 77
Airtankers: 0
Helicopters: 11
Water Tenders: 25
Bulldozers: 14
Overhead: 203
Total Personnel: 1853
Other Equipment: CAL FIRE IMT 6
Estimated Cost: $3,228,176
Closures: Hungry Valley State Park and Piru Creek recreation area will remain closed until further notice.
Road Closures: Roads entering Hungry Valley State Park and Piru Creek.
Unified Command: CAL FIRE and USFS
Assisting Fire Agencies: Kern County Fire Department, Ventura County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Fire, California States Parks, Bureau of Land Management
Co Operating Agencies: California Highway Patrol, Kern County Sheriffs Office, Los Angeles County Sheriffs Office, Ventura County Sheriffs Office, Cal Trans

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FRAZIER PARK, CA (Friday, May 17, 2013 at 9 a.m.)—U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire officials issued the following press release on the Grand fire this morning:

Current Situation:  Firefighters continued to construct fire line around the fire perimeter today.  Crews worked throughout the day making progress on the southern and northern sides of the fire and were assisted by lower temperatures and higher humidity.  Crews made significant progress overnight with hopes of completing more line today.  Acreage increase is in part due to overnight infrared flight.

Location: Two Miles East of Frazier Park Start Date & Time: May 15, 2013 at 12:44 P.M.

Acres:  4100 

Containment:  35%

Cause: Under Investigation  Injuries: 0

Structures Threatened:  6 Structures Destroyed:  0

EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT ASSIGNED:

Engines:  65  Trucks:  0 Patrols:  Unknown Fire Crews:  81

Airtankers:  0   Helicopters:  7 Water Tenders:  20  Bulldozers:  9

Overhead:  89 Total Personnel:  1452 Other Equipment:  CAL FIRE IMT 6

Estimated Cost: $1,300,000

Evacuations: Hungry Valley State Park and Piru Creek recreation area will remain closed until further notice.

Road Closures:  Roads entering Hungry Valley State Park and Piru Creek.

Unified Command:  CAL FIRE and USFS 

Assisting Fire Agencies:  Kern County Fire Department, Ventura County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Fire, California States Parks, Bureau of Land Management

Co Operating Agencies:  California Highway Patrol, Kern County Sheriffs Office, Los Angeles County Sheriffs Office, Ventura County Sheriffs Office, Cal Trans

Additional Information:  Safety Message- The fire and smoke are visible

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FRAZIER PARK, CA (Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 9:15 p.m.)—The following press release was issued this evening at 9:11 p.m. by U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire:

Current Situation: Firefighters continued to construct fire line around the fire perimeter today. Crews worked throughout the day making progress on the southern and northern sides of the fire and were assisted by lower temperatures and higher humidity.

Acres: 3,800   Containment: 25%
Cause: Under Investigation
Injuries: Unknown
Structures Threatened: 6
Structures Destroyed: 0
EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT ASSIGNED: Engines: 65 Trucks: 0 Patrols: Unknown Fire Crews: 81 Airtankers: 0 Helicopters: 7 Water Tenders: 20 Bulldozers: 9 Overhead: 82 Total Personnel: 1445 Other Equipment: CAL FIRE IMT 6
Evacuations: Hungry Valley State Park will remain closed until further notice.
Road Closures: Roads entering Hungry Valley State Park and Piru Creek.
Unified Command: CAL FIRE and USFS
Assisting Fire Agencies: Kern County Fire Department, Ventura County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Fire, California States Parks, Bureau of Land Management
Co Operating Agencies: California Highway Patrol, Kern County Sheriffs Office, Los Angeles County Sheriffs Office, Ventura County Sheriffs Office, Cal Trans

Additional Information: Safety Message— The fire and smoke are visible from Interstate 5. Motorists should be extra vigilant in keeping their eyes on the road while driving in the area.

FRAZIER PARK, CA (Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 9:15 p.m.)—Kern County Fire Department has issued the following update: Current Situation: Firefighters are currently battling a fast, wind driven wildfire in the Frazier Park, Ca area. Strong winds and dry fuels are hampering firefighting efforts, and an evacuation of the Hungry Valley State Park and Piru Creek Campground are in effect.
Evacuations: Hungry Valley State Park and Piru Creek are a under mandatory evacuation. Frazier
Mountain High School was evacuated earlier as a precaution. Road Closures: Falcon Way to Frazier Mt High School is closed as well as roads entering Hungry Valley State Park and Piru Creek.
Cooperating Fire Agencies: Kern Co Fire, Los Angeles Co. Fire, Ventura Co Fire, USFS, and BLM.

2,500 acres burned; zero containment; Expected containment is unknown; Cause is under investigation; No injuries reported; No structures destroyed or threatened. Five airtankers; four helicopters.

FRAZIER PARK, CA (Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 3:09 p.m.)—Kern County Fire Department Public Information Officer Sean Collins reports that the fire is now 750 acres with zero containment. He notes that Frazier Mountain High School and Hungry Valley OHV Park have been evacuated.

FRAZIER PARK, CA (Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 1:59 p.m.)—Kuepper reports that the fire is now about 300 yards from the high school. One helicopter and one air tanker are working the fire.

FRAZIER PARK, CA (Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 1:33 p.m.)—El Tejon Unified School District has told The Mountain Enterprise that Frazier Mountain High School is being evacuated as the fire is behind the high school’s well. Photographer Gunnar Kuepper reports that the fire is about 1/2 mile away from and moving directly toward the high school. Power lines near the high school are threatened, according to Kuepper.

FRAZIER PARK, CA (Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 1:23 p.m.)—A wildfire erupted at Grand Terrace Estates (GTE) along the south side Frazier Mountain Park Road just before 1 p.m., east of the GTE gate. The flames quickly climbed a steep embankment through very dry brush. Fire officials have called for helicopter support and bulldozers. Hand crews are working the fire to remove fuel from the path of the blaze. The fire appears to be several acres in size at this point.

This is part of the May 17, 2013 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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