<html xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)">
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="State"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="City"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="PlaceType"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="PlaceName"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="place"/>
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
h3
{mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
font-size:13.5pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
font-weight:bold;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
p
{mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:Arial;
color:windowtext;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
</head>
<body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple>
<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Name: <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Pigeon</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Fire</st1:PlaceName> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>County: Trinity <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Administrative Unit: <a href="http://www.inciweb.org/incident/357/"
target="_blank" title="Show Administrative Unit Details">Shasta - Trinity
National Forest</a> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Status/Notes: 20% contained - 4,954 acres <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Date Started: September 2, 2006 9:56 am <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Last update: September 5, 2006 9:00 am <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Phone Numbers (530) 623-9195 (Pigeon Fire Information) <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><a href="http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_current"><span
style='text-decoration:none'>http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_current</span></a>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<h3><b><font size=4 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Summary
</span></font></b><font size=3><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:normal'><a
href="http://www.inciweb.org/incident/357/">http://www.inciweb.org/incident/357/</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></h3>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Pigeon:
4,790 acres 20% contained. Today the fire made a move north into the North Fork
Gulch. Hwy 299 has been reopened as of 12 pm today. Current structural threat
to Helena and Big Flat Community also exists. Structure protection is in place
for both communities. Mandatory evacuations are in affect for the communities of
Big Flat and Helena, voluntary evacuations are in place for Big Bar and DeLoma.
Power lines affecting central and southern <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Trinity</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
are still shut down. Power has been rerouted to Weaverville and <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Junction City</st1:place></st1:City>. Team is
working with PG&E so their personnel can safely access and repair lines.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Even
though Hiway 299 is opening, everyone is strongly advised to use extreme
caution while traversing the road. Travel will be single lane, escorted by
pilot vehicle between <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Helena</st1:place></st1:City>
and mile maker 35.5. NOTE: Expect minimum of 15 minute delay. Highway is
subject to closure at any time based on safety and fire activity. Before
traveling, make sure to check with local CalTrans.1-800-427-7623<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Fire Behavior<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Pigeon: The fire was very active yesterday with gradient southwest
winds surfacing in the afternoon. Spotting out to a half mile, with crown runs,
group torching was observed.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Fire slopped over in area of Manzanita ridge. Crews are making progress
lining the slopover area. Fire behavior is expected to increase this afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Today's Significant Events<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Pigeon: Fire is still very active and spreading to the Northwest and
Northeast.</span></font><b><u><font size=4><span style='font-size:14.0pt;
font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></font></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><font size=4 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:14.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:
none'> </span></o:p></span></font></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Planned Actions<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Pigeon: Crews and equipment continue to construct fire line. Structure
protection mitigations have been implemented in affected communties.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><font size=4 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:14.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:
none'> </span></o:p></span></font></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Projected Movement</span></font></b><b><u><font
size=4><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></font></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Pigeon: Today is expected to be similar to yesterday.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Growth Potential<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Pigeon: Extreme<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Containment Target<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Pigeon: No estimate of containment<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Remarks<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 6.75pt;
padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='border:none;padding:0in'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Pigeon fire cause is
under investigation. Highway 299 is now open to 1-way controlled traffic with
pilot car escort between <st1:City w:st="on">Junction City</st1:City> and
DeLoma <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">California</st1:place></st1:State>.
<st1:place w:st="on">Trinity River</st1:place> remains closed to rafters and
other water traffic from Slide Ranch Haul Out down to Big Flat. All trails
within fire area are closed to public. Incident management will be
transitioning from a type 2 to a type 1 management team.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><u><font size=4
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p><span
style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></font></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><font size=4 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:14.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Highway closure pushes Labor Day
travelers to alternate routes</span> <o:p></o:p></span></font></u></b></p>
<span id="ArticleControl1_lblDateAndAuthor">
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=4 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:14.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>by Carol Harrison, 9/5/2006</span> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<span id="ArticleControl1_lblBody">
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><a
href="http://www.eurekareporter.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ArticleID=14683">http://www.eurekareporter.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ArticleID=14683</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>With State Highway 299 closed for the bulk of the Labor Day Weekend,
many <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">North</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Coast</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> travelers had little choice but to
return home via State Highway 36.<br>
<br>
“Where else do you go?” asked the local California Highway Patrol
dispatcher before reaching the official CHP spokesperson.<br>
<br>
“We are concerned,” said CHP Sgt. Brett Fabbri, a <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">North</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Coast</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
resident for the past 37 years who could not remember Hwy. 299 ever suffering a
closure on one of the biggest traffic days of the year. “299 is a busy
route during the holidays and right now, the only alternates are 36 or 3 in <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Trinity</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.”<br>
<br>
“It will probably tag on two to two-and-one-half hours, if not
more,” Redding CHP Sgt. Mike Sherman said. “36 is a route that
doesn’t look like it gets much travel, but it sure will (Monday).”<br>
<br>
<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sherman</st1:place></st1:City>
estimated 90 percent of the Hwy. 299 diversion went south on 3 to hook up with
36, or took 36 from its Red Bluff connection with U.S. Interstate 5.<br>
<br>
“The traffic flow has been extremely heavy,” <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Sherman</st1:place></st1:City> said of routes 3 and 36. <br>
<br>
He reported a boat trailer lost an axle on Hwy. 3 and started a 3- to 4-acre
fire controlled by Hayfork personnel.<br>
<br>
Earlier in the day, the CHP confirmed a Hwy. 36 fatality who came from out of
state and apparently took a corner faster than the Corvette could handle. The
150-mile stretch of asphalt connecting Red Bluff to Fortuna is virtually devoid
of rest stops and fast food. Monday, it became increasingly crowded with
travelers yearning for both. <br>
<br>
“It’s like watch out, here they come,” said Yvonne Mills,
owner of Platina’s General Store, which is located 37 miles west of Red
Bluff on Hwy. 36. “We’ve been getting a whole lot of traffic.
We’re usually open ‘til 7 p.m. and on a big weekend, it’s 10
p.m. Who knows when we’ll get out of here tonight.”<br>
<br>
When told that 299 was expected to remain closed all day, Mills groaned.<br>
<br>
“Oh my gosh,” she said at 2 p.m. Monday. “There’s no
restaurants, no pull-outs, no bathrooms. I only have one 1,000 gallon tank of
gas. I don’t know if I’ll make it.”<br>
<br>
Regular unleaded at $3.59 is the only gasoline Mills carries. Diesel, however,
was available another eight miles up the road in Wildwood.<br>
<br>
“Business has been great,” said Debbie Nelson of Wildwood’s
general store. She expected to stick with her 7 p.m. closing time and
didn’t seem too concerned with meeting the extra demand.<br>
<br>
“It’s deer season,” she said by way of explanation.
“It’s always busy in deer season. This is no biggie.”<br>
<br>
Usually, according to Redcrest’s Angie Flosi, Hwy. 36 is so lightly
traveled that she avoids it at night.<br>
<br>
“I only do 36 if I absolutely have to,” she said by phone Monday
afternoon as she headed back to <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">California</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType>,
<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chico</st1:place></st1:City>, via Hwy.
20. “It’s dark and windy and it’s hard on me. I’ve got
an older car, too, and if a break down happens out there . . .”<br>
<br>
“People don’t realize it’s 150 miles of mountainous,
treacherous roadway,” Mills said. “After Wildwood, it’s
almost to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Mad</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">River</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, and that store was closed at one
time. I don’t even know if it’s open.”<br>
<br>
The Mad River Burger Bar was hectic well before the dinner rush.<br>
<br>
“There’s no way I can talk to you right now,” said one
frazzled worker who had tried twice to no avail to get a break in the tide of
customers.<br>
<br>
“It’s not bad in <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Trinity</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType> until you get to <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Mad</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">River</st1:PlaceType>, but then from <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Mad</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">River</st1:PlaceType> to
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Humboldt</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> it’s a lot slower.”<br>
<br>
<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sherman</st1:place></st1:City>
estimated peak traffic to be around 5 p.m. He said he assigned three officers
to the route and air support to handle the increased load usually covered by
one officer. <br>
<br>
Fabbri said the local CHP also posted extra help starting at the <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Humboldt</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> border.<br>
<br>
“It took me an extra half-hour Sunday to come down from Weaverville, but
it’s hard to take a guess for the time today,” Fabbri said.
“Many people waited until (Monday) hoping the main route might open.”<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</span></div>
</body>
</html>