Coyote Fire – Initial Attack – 8/20/2025

The Coyote Fire, located in El Dorado County, started within the last hour and is burning in a remote area with significant structures nearby. The fire is spreading rapidly, driven by heavy fuels and mild upcanyon winds, and has already established itself on both sides of Farnum Creek. If the fire pushes out to the most prominent ridges in the area, the fire could eventually cover 30,000 acres and threaten communities like Lockwood, Amador Pines, and Buckhorn.We won’t know if this is going to happen for another few days.

Firefighters are struggling with limited ground access and are focusing on containing the most accessible parts of the fire, mainly near the heel/ignition point. The fire, initially contained in a canyon, has spread two miles in four hours, and could threaten nearby communities like Lockwood and Amador Pines. The fire behavior is influenced by the landscape, with steep slopes and heavy fuels. For the most part, heavy air tankers were not being used this afternoon, but 8 Cal Fire S-2s were in rotation, along with up to 6 helicopters. Limited evacuation advisories were in placethis afternoon.

Lookout Livestream

AI-assisted summary of today’s Lookout Livestream

Coyote Fire Overview and Initial Response

• Zeke Lunder introduces the Coyote Fire, located in El Dorado County between Omo Ranch and Lockwood, and mentions its remote area.
• The fire started within the last hour and is burning in a mix of oak woodland and heavy timber at around 2500 feet elevation.
• The fire has quickly developed a large header, with dark smoke indicating heavy fuel loads, and is spreading rapidly.
• Helicopters are working on the south side of Farnum Creek, and Sierra Pacific Industries, the largest timberland owner in the state, is involved.

Fire Spread and Challenges

• The fire is well-established and has limited ground access, with no engines currently on the scene.
• The fire is at the confluence of different drainages, making it difficult to box in and control.
• The fire is likely to spread to both sides of Farnum Creek, with the potential to burn out toward Omo Ranch and Lockwood.
• The fire’s similarities to the 2022 Mosquito Fire are noted, with both fires starting in similar geographic areas and spreading quickly.

Threatened Areas and Evacuation Considerations

• Areas potentially threatened by the fire include Volcano, Amador Pines, Lockwood, Buckhorn, and Pioneer.
• Evacuations may be issued for residents in these areas in the coming days, if the fire looks like it is likely to burn for an extended period.
• The fire’s behavior is influenced by the weather, with peak fire season conditions expected to exacerbate the situation.
• The Caldor Fire scar could potentially slow the fire’s northward spread.

Firefighting Strategy and Resources

• Firefighters are working to build a box around the fire, with Sierra Pacific Industries’ fuel breaks potentially helpful.
• There are some 30 year old stands of trees on Round Mountain, in an old fire scar..
• The fire’s spread is being managed with tankers and helicopters, but the fire’s size and the terrain make it challenging.

Fire Behavior and Weather Conditions

• The fire’s behavior is influenced by the weather, with low overnight humidity recovery and high temperatures expected.
• The fire is likely to burn actively through the night, with winds upslope and the fire’s energy increasing.
• The fire’s spread is being monitored with cameras and intel flights

Coyote Fire Strategy and Fire Behavior

• Zeke Lunder discusses the importance of indirect attack strategies, emphasizing the need to take opportunities presented by the landscape.
• He explains that heavy air tankers are likely not being requested because the air attack team believes they would not materially change the fire’s outcome.
• Zeke highlights the expertise of air tactical group supervisors, noting their deep understanding of fire behavior and scale.
• He mentions the pre-positioning of big type one tankers in Southern California for a critical weather event, indicating they are not being used for the Coyote Fire.

Fuel Breaks and Fire Progression

• Zeke explains the Sierra Pacific Industries’ (SPI’s) system of fuel breaks in the Sierra Nevada, particularly on east-west-tending ridges.
• He describes the use of mechanical logging machines for intensive thinning work, which is effective up to 30-40% slope.
• Zeke discusses the progression of the Caldor Fire, noting its initial hard run to the north and the subsequent wide front it created.
• He mentions the importance of understanding fire history and the potential for fires to grow significantly before the season ends.

Fire History and Firefighter Challenges

• Zeke reflects on the fire history in the Sierra Nevada, noting the lack of significant fire activity in the immediate fire area in past 20 years.
• He discusses the challenges firefighters face in managing large fires, particularly in areas with complex topography.
• Zeke highlights the importance of understanding fire history and the potential for fires to spread rapidly in certain conditions.

Fire Behavior and Weather Conditions

• Zeke explains the impact of weather conditions on fire behavior, noting the importance of wind direction and speed.
• He discusses the potential for fires to make significant runs down canyons, especially at night.
• Zeke highlights the role of topography in fire spread, with ridges often being key areas for fire containment.
• He emphasizes the importance of having a well-choreographed firefighting strategy that takes into account both weather conditions and topography.

Firefighting Tactics and Resources

• Zeke discusses the various firefighting tactics used, including the use of bulldozers, hand crews, and helicopters.
• He explains the challenges of night firefighting, particularly in areas with steep, complex topography.

Community Preparedness and Evacuation

• Zeke advises residents in threatened areas to be prepared for potential evacuation and to have their go bags ready.
• He emphasizes the importance of staying informed and following evacuation orders from local authorities.
• He highlights the need for community preparedness and cooperation in managing fire risks.

Fire Mapping and Data Analysis

• Zeke explains the process of mapping fires using various tools and techniques, including QGIS and Google Earth.
• He discusses the importance of having accurate and up-to-date fire maps for effective fire management.
• Zeke highlights the challenges of working with data feeds and the need for custom software solutions.
• He emphasizes the importance of having a well-organized and well-maintained data library for effective fire mapping and analysis.
• Zeke introduces QGIS as a free, powerful program for mapping, contrasting it with ESRI’s ArcGIS.
• He pitches CalTopo, for their robust, web-based mapping tools.

Fire Behavior and Weather Patterns

• Zeke discusses the impact of weather patterns on fire behavior, including the potential for wind shifts to change fire direction.
• He explains the importance of understanding weather forecasts and the potential for significant wind events to impact fire spread.
• Zeke highlights the need for firefighters to be prepared for changing weather conditions.