News & Columns > Michael P. Neufeld > Containment of Garnet Incident Set at 200 Acres (Update 2)

Containment of Garnet Incident Set at 200 Acres (Update 2)

Crews In Place to Complete Mop-up

By Michael P. Neufeld
Saturday, September 6, 2008

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Update 3 – Saturday 6:18 p.m.

Mentone, CA – The Garnet Fire incident commander has declared the 200-acre blaze contained and crews were brought in for mop-up operations. The increased acreage was due to aerial mapping of the incident.

"I've got quite a bit of work," a firefighter from one of the divisions stated on the scanner monitored by RIMOFTHEWORLD.net. "From the head of this thing to the pump house, I've got enough work for two or three crews."

Meanwhile, firefighters on the Garnet structure protection group reported a 1/4 acre fire a short distance from the main fire. The second fire was named the Emerald Fire for reporting purposes. It was quickly knocked down and because of the suspicious circumstances a prevention officer was summoned to the scene.

Update – Saturday 3:56 p.m.

Mentone, CA – Firefighters working the Garnet Incident report the fire is "just about buttoned up" with crews concentrating on spot fires in the area. The fire potential is still listed as 300 acres but scanner reports indicate it's about 125 acres in size. The fire is now contained and no further structure threats are reported.

At one point, Air Attack 12 complimented Forest Service Tanker 498 by stating, "Very nice drop. Think we'll put you on hold." The tanker is based at the San Bernardino Air Tanker Base.

US Forest Service Tanker 498 (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

All fixed wink aircraft have been released with orders for additional water tender placed to assist with mop-up operations.

Southern California Edison crews will be addressing burned power poles, downed lines and power outages in the area of the Garnet Incident that broke out at 20 p.m. near Garnet Avenue and Newport Avenue.

Original Story - 2:55 p.m.

Mentone, CA – The Garnet Incident in Mentone has firefighters scrambling to respond to the area of Garnet Avenue and Newport Avenue in the Mill Creek Wash. Aerial support and structure protection engines have been requested.

Homes in the area are now being evacuated and the water pump house on Bryant is threatened from the fire that is quickly approaching 40-50 acres. The fire is in the same general area as the Emerald Fire that started on August 29, 2006.

Southern California Edison power lines are also apparently threatened by the Garnet Incident.

The US Forest Service Helibase at Heaps Peak. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

Helicopter 534 from Heaps Peak is also responding to the incident along with at least two tankers. The fire broke out about 2:10 p.m. today.