Silver fire ...

[arocknoid]

Thanks for all the updates and links.

Just what we need--more fire.
And the season is young.

A friend who was involved with the Harry Burkhart/Hollywood arson spree has some horrifying JTF prognostications...

[Hikin_Jim]

The news for the day is encouraging. From CalFire:
"Negligible fire growth as firefighters continued to improve and construct containment lines throughout the day"

Containment is now listed as 70%. The PCT didn't get hit although it's very close. Let's hope and pray that the wind doesn't shift or anything like that.

HJ

[tarol]

75% contained now

[Hikin_Jim]

Looking at the interactive fire map (time = 1800 hrs on 8/11/2013 as I write this), the fire appears to have one spur that looks like it scorched the tips of a couple of switchbacks on the PCT, assuming that the GeoMAC perimeter is correct. The Cal Fire perimeter doesn't show this spur.

The fire perimeter I'm seeing:


HJ

[Sally]

I'm hoping that the fire is done with advancing onto our beloved trails. This is making me sick.... too much destruction of the mountain and peoples' property.

[tarol]

100% contained!

[Hikin_Jim]

Nice! Now let's pray for no flare ups.

Any word when the west side might open up again?

Any idea of how bad the "road damage" on the 243 is?

HJ

[jnj86]

Regarding Hwy 243, from the Banning-Beaumont Patch...

Update 4:10 p.m. There is no timetable for re-opening Highway 243 between Banning and Poppet Flats, and it will cost an estimated $1.3 million to repair damages to that stretch of roadway during the Silver Fire, a Caltrans District 8 spokeswoman said Monday afternoon.

Escorts between south Banning, Twin Pines and Poppet Flats may be possible by Tuesday, Joy Sepulveda of Caltrans District 8 said in a phone interview at 3:20 p.m. Aug. 12.

"As of this moment Caltrans still does not have control of the highway," Sepulveda said. "That is still under local law enforcement, CHP and fire jurisdiction as of this time.

"Our contractor is gathering the materials he needs, namely the posts for the guardrail, in order to mobilize to begin repairs," Sepulveda said. "We are hoping that mobilization will take place tomorrow morning."

Guardrail and signs have been damaged on stretches of the 243 between Banning and Twin Pines, and on another stretch between Twin Pines and Poppet Flats, according to Sepulveda.

"We haven't gone in to make all the assessments yet, but speaking from, you know the Falls Fire on Highway 74, guardrail was not the only item that needed repair," Sepulveda said. "We're going to have roadside signs that are going to be down, melted, we're going to have berm, the asphalt that will be melted, we're going to have re-striping that we're going to have to do, because the thermoplastic has melted as well."

Sepulveda said she could not provide any time estimate for completion of all repairs and restoration of the 243 to is condition prior to the Silver Fire.

"We will have a better idea of that when our contractor mobilizes tomorrow morning," Sepulveda said. "I believe it's a 1.3 million dollar contract."

Sepulveda emphasized the contract is strictly to repair damage caused by the Silver Fire to Highway 243. Asked what else she wants the public to know about the situation, she said:

"At this time we do not have an escort schedule in place. We do not know how that is going to work. Once the contractor mobilizes tomorrow morning, we're going to set up an escort schedule much like we did on State Route 74, to get residents up and down the mountain as we can.

"That's not in place yet. Once we mobilize we will work with CHP to establish that."

[Hikin_Jim]

Wow. I guess I think of roads as being mainly damaged by wash outs. I didn't think of deformation due to heat which is what I think they're saying.

And of course signage and guard rails. Guess it'll be out of service for a while.

$1.3 million. Wow.

HJ

[jnj86]

Good news this afternoon regarding Hwy 243 from the Banning-Beaumont Patch...

Update 4 p.m.: State Route 243 between Banning and Poppet Flats is expected to reopen to the public this weekend, state transportation department officials said Tuesday afternoon.

According to a Caltrans representative, the highway is estimated to open by Saturday, August 17.

"A subcontractor will begin repairing the metal beam guardrail tomorrow, Wednesday, August 14, 2013 and will be working twelve hours shifts from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.," said Joy Sepuveda in an emailed statement.

The construction firm awarded the $1.2 million emergency repair contract assessed the roadway Tuesday, she said. Among the things that need to be fixed are guardrails and reflective markers.

"The full closure from Twin Pines Ranch to Wesley Street will remain in effect until the guardrail is completed," she said.