Donnell Fire Swells to 29,569 Acres, Most Growth on Northwest Edge

Pinecrest, CA…Fire spread was minimal overnight, primarily along the northwest fire edge in the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness where Wildland Fire Modules are spiked out and will be working today. Overnight, crews continued to enhance containment lines along the southern and eastern flanks of the fire and to do structure protection including within the Haypress area. Today, thunderstorms are forecast for the early afternoon. These could bring gusty and erratic winds up to 35 mph to the east side of the fire, resulting in the loss of some air support. High winds also increase the potential for spot fires, embers blowing up to 1,000 feet from the fire’s edge. Structure protection and hazard tree abatement remain the priority. Green pockets within the fire perimeter still exist and continue to be treated in several locations. Direct line from the Bennett Juniper to the Douglas Day Use Area on Highway108 will continue to be constructed today, with crews working from both the north and south directions.

RECREATION RESIDENCE AND FACILITY UPDATE: Initial fire assessments have been completed for all recreation residence tracts along the108 corridor. All permittees have been contacted regarding the condition of their cabin/resort. The main store and lodge of the Dardanelle Resort, 14 of 16 cabins in the Wagner Tract, 36 of 57 cabins in the Brightman Tract, 2 of 2 cabins in the Buena Vista Tract, and 1 of 10 cabins in the Bone Springs Tract were destroyed by the fire. No structures have been reported lost at Baker Station or within Riverside, Cedar Grove, Deadman, Baker, East Douglas, West Douglas, and Twin Buttes Tracts. Firefighters continue to patrol and protect structures within the fire perimeter. Active fire and hazard trees are still present and a potential threat.

Forest Closures: The area includes the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness on the Summit and Calaveras Ranger Districts as well as Spicer Reservoir. Campgrounds are open, but the lake is closed to visitor use. Highway 108 is still closed at Eagle Meadow Road from the west and at the top of Sonora Pass on the east side. The Alpine County Sheriff’s Office has closed the gate at the junction of Highway 4 and Highlands Lake Road (Forest Service Road 8N01). The Pacific Crest Trail has also been closed between Highway 108 and Highway 4 for public safety.

Mandatory Evacuations: Still in effect along Highway 108 from Eagle Meadow Road to Kennedy Meadows (all residences and campgrounds) as well as all along Eagle Meadow Road (5N01) and the Clark Fork Road area. No new mandatory evacuations have been ordered.

Advisory Evacuation: Mill Creek area was put into effect on August 8th.

For more information about the Stanislaus National Forest, visit us at www.fs.usda.gov/stanislaus, “like” us on

Facebook at www.facebook.com/StanislausNF, or “follow” us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Stanislaus_NF.

For more information on the fire please go to https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6092/

Tuesday August 14, 2018 @ 8am

Fire Information Line: (209) 536-5388 donnellfirestf1918@gmail.com

LOCATION: Stanislaus National Forest DATE STARTED: August 1, 2018

ACRES: 29,569 PERCENT CONTAINED: 25%

STRUCTURES THREATENED: 220 STRUCTURES DESTROYED: 54

INJURIES/ACCIDENTS: 0 MINOR STRUCTURES DESTROYED: 81

TOTAL PERSONNEL: 855

Fire Resources include: 15 Hand Crews, 5 Helicopters, 46 Engines, 5 Dozers, 8 Water Tenders