Zeke Lunder discussed the Dragon Bravo and Butler Fires. Dragon Bravo, started in the first week of July, has been romping to the NE due to extreme conditions. The fire has destroyed the historic North Rim Lodge and 70-80 structures, with suppression costs reaching $20 million. The fire’s progression is influenced by weather and terrain, with limited firefighting success. The Butler fire, costing $40 million, is surrounded by previous fires, making containment difficult. Both fires highlight the complexities and limitations of fire management in extreme conditions.
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Strategies and Challenges of Dragon Bravo Fire
- The fire was initially going to be managed for resource benefits, but quickly moved out of the planned burn area.
- The fire destroyed the Historic North Rim Lodge and 70-80 structures at the North Rim.
- Firefighters attempted a firing operation along the Park Entrance Road to hold the fire, but it eventually jumped their line.
- The fire has been burning unchecked in the Saddle Mountain Wilderness Area and is becoming established on the Kaibab National Forest.
Fire Behavior and Progression
- The fire has been running about three miles in 4-6 hours during peak burning conditions.
- The fire has been spotting across control lines, making it difficult to contain.
- Firefighters face access challenges due to falling snags and unsafe road conditions.
- The fire is expected to continue pushing north and east, with limited firefighting successes or options on those flanks.
Operational Challenges and Weather Conditions
- Firefighters are anticipating the fire’s progression and preparing roads and structures.
- The fire is controlled by weather conditions, with no current strategies working effectively except on the heel of the fire.
- The probability of ignition is high for new spot fires, making it difficult to contain the fire.
- Firefighters are using indirect attack strategies due to the fire’s certainty to burn certain areas.
Cost and Impact of Fire Suppression
- The Dragon Bravo fire has cost $20 million so far.
- The cost of suppression is compared to the potential benefits of prescribed fire and thinning.
- The Monroe Canyon fire is also discussed, burning high-elevation timber and aspen.
- The Butler Fire is mentioned, burning between Eureka and Yreka, with a cost of over $40 million.
Fire Management and Criticism
- The Butler fire is surrounded by other fires, making it difficult to contain.
- Firefighters attempted firing along ridges early in the Butler Fire to contain it within a drainage, but were unsuccessful.
- The fire has burned areas that haven’t burned in 12 years, cleaning up dead material.
- Zeke discusses the challenges of managing fires in the Klamath and the criticism of Federal fire policies from fire elders like Royal Burnett.
Resignation and Realism in Fire Management
- Zeke expresses resignation about the current state of fire management and the limitations of suppression.
- The fire’s behavior is influenced by the landscape’s fire history and steep terrain.
- The Butler Fire has been burning with high severity in areas which had high severity in previous fires, but many of the large trees have survived.
- The conversation highlights the need for better leadership and management in fire agencies to use fire when conditions are not extreme.
Final Thoughts and Future Coverage
- Zeke wraps up the discussion, emphasizing the importance of understanding fire behavior and the limits on management during extreme conditions.
- The Lookout aims to provide insights into fire management and the challenges faced by firefighters.
- Future episodes will continue to cover the Dragon Bravo and Butler Fires, as well as other significant fires.