Rough Fire Update AM September 14, 2015
South Zone:
Firefighting efforts are being made during day and night shifts on the Rough Fire to further the containment lines, which have now reached 40% over the whole fire.
Crews and Engines continue to patrol Grant Grove checking for any escaped embers with potential to start a spot fire. Structure defense crews are in place around residential areas near the fireline including, Sequoia Lake, Hume Lake, and Cedar Grove. These firelines are holding well and being monitored closely.
Weather will be slightly cooler today through Wednesday with areas of dense smoke thinning by the afternoon, making aerial firefighting efforts more productive.
West Zone:
Firefighters worked throughout the night to complete and reinforce control lines with special attention given to the most volatile divisions. The fire continues to burn toward Pine Flat Reservoir and the Kings River. Good progress was made during the night as lower temperatures and higher humidities assisted the firefighter’s suppression efforts.
Cooler temperatures and moisture in the air will continue to assist fire crews today although higher winds in the fire area will create other challenges. Firefighters will continue to focus on maintaining existing control lines today while watching for spot fires and other threats.
North Zone:
With the continued westward movement of the fire in the West Zone, new resources are arriving to increase firefighting efforts north of the Kings River. Crews have been doing a lot of preparation work on the contingency lines to align with the West Zone’s fire control lines along McKenzie Ridge.
In the North end of the fire, south of Wishon Reservoir, the fire line has held and firefighters are preparing to pull hose, mop up and perform rehabilitation.
Crews will continue the construction of hand lines to tie in existing fire breaks above Balch Camp.