Lighting holdover Wildfire Response - Meredith Anello

 
Tahoe National Forest Sierraville and Truckee fire resources, and the Plumas National Forest Beckwourth Hotshots respond to lightning caused holdover wildfires.
Lightning struck and ignited three trees around the Sierraville Ranger District during last week’s thunderstorms. However, smoke from the quarter acre Alder Fire in the old Cottonwood Burn, wasn’t visible until the next day. Forest Service (FS) fire resources from Truckee and Sierraville along with the Beckwourth Hotshots quickly took suppression action to prevent the further ignition of adjacent vegetation and control the holdover fire. Approximately five days after thunderstorm activity, FS fire resources were dispatched to respond to the single lightning struck tree, named the Coyote Fire near Spring Valley Ranch. Due to the access, Sierraville patrols 61 and 62 were instrumental in shuttling water in to support the hose lay pumping operations while containment line was constructed to contain the spread of the fire to a 1/5th acre. Later that day, Beckwourth Hotshots, joined by Truckee Engine 371 initial attacked the quarter acre Beckwourth Fire also started from a lightning struck tree which spread into surface fuels on private land, in Forest Service Direct Protection Area, (DPA). The success of the safe and effective fire suppression is due to the collaborative efforts of all resources involved.  Holdover or dormant wildfires can appear days or even weeks after a lightning storm as the fuels dry and the temperatures heat up. All Tahoe National Forest fire resources remain vigilant and ready to respond to new incidents.  To report a wildfire, please dial 911.