Last fire update

This will be the last update, as Big Boy heads back to St. George tomorrow. This is the largest wildfire in the country at the moment.

The Twitchell Canyon fire was active on multiple fronts again yesterday. Active fire was backing down the mountain slope about five miles east of Sulphurdale, toward Interstate 15. A large smoke column was visible from many points in the area, as concentrated fuels burned. The fire continues to accomplish management objectives that include cleaning up brush, deadfall and litter on the forest floor. As it burns in a mosaic pattern throughout the fire area, overgrown vegetation is consumed allowing areas for new grass, browse and aspen regeneration. This will all lead to improved wildlife habitat and will help prevent catastrophic wildfire in the near future.

Beginning today, firefighters will use aerial and ground ignition to burn out vegetation from established indirect control lines back to the fire front in order to speed up the containment process in the northwest corner to keep the fire from crossing Interstate 15 and Interstate 70. Most of the resources are on the northwest flank of the fire to support operations. Protection of private property and infrastructure remain the focus with emphasis on firefighter and public safety.

The south flank of the fire continues to slowly back down the slope in Pole Creek. Two Hot Shot crews and two engines are in that area and are staying in a spike camp near the fire area to monitor and contain the fire. Fire managers continue to address concerns of homeowners in the North Creek area.

Current Situation

Total Personnel	520
Size	39,883 acres
Percent Contained	25%
Fuels Involved	10 Timber (litter and understory)Primary fuel model is FM10, with a FM6 in lower elevations.
Fire Behavior	Active backing fire with mid-range spotting.
Significant Events	Fire continues to back toward I-15. The Interstates are currently open, however the potential for further closures exists with reassessments ongoing. Power corridor that parallels the Interstate remains threatened and is de-energized. The fire is currently active on the southern and western flanks. Multiple divisions continue to be staffed with necessary resources however, the current focus is holding fire spread to the south of I-70. Resources are assessing and constructing direct and indirect line on the northwest flank with the intention of slowing and checking the fire spread.

Outlook

Planned Actions	Burnout operation will be performed utilizing aircraft and ground resources. Resources will work to contain fire spread to the south of I-70. Protection of infrastructure and private property remains the focus with the emphasis being placed on firefighter and public safety. Direct and indirect line tactics will be used. Remaining divisions will be appropriately staffed with efforts being placed on monitoring and holding existing lines.
Growth Potential	High
Terrain Difficulty	Extreme

Current Weather

Wind Conditions	20 mph SE
Temperature	79 degrees
Humidity	10%

More on the fire

Firefighters worked diligently today and were successful in holding the lightning-caused Twitchell Canyon Fire from spreading north of I-70. I-70 was re-opened Monday morning at 10 a.m. to east and west bound traffic; however, the potential for additional closures remains as reassessments of fire activity is ongoing.

Windy red flag conditions again yesterday, along with existing dry fuels, caused more extreme fire behavior with 200 foot flame lengths observed and frequent spotting, especially on the eastern edge of the south flank of the fire. The Twitchell Canyon Fire area is now approximately 33,071 acres.

Firefighters completed line construction along the south and southwest edges of the fire near Twitchell Canyon with the intention of slowing fire spread towards private property to the west.

Another Red Flag Warning - a weather descriptor used to indicate the high probability for extreme burning conditions - has been issued for the fire area by the National Weather Service today with a possible chance of moisture in the afternoon.

Protection of private property with an emphasis placed on public and firefighter safety remains the focus of fire managers.

Ourada's Great Basin Incident Management Team 2 transitioned this morning at 0600 with Whalen's Great Basin Incident Management Team 2 who will now take over management of the Twitchell Canyon Fire.

Fourteen handcrews, six helicopters, two dozers, and 28 fire engines are assigned to the fire, bringing the total number of personnel to 520.

Castle Rock Campground remains under evacuation.

Update on Twitchell Canyon Fire

With gusts of up to 54 miles per hour recorded over the fire area, the Twitchell Canyon Fire made another significant run yesterday and the acreage is now up to 30,000. Such conditions make it very difficult for firefighters to limit fire spread; however, the exceptional work of the fire crews prevented the fire from crossing I-70. Multiple spot fires were quickly extinguished. The diligence of Utah Department of Transportation and Utah Highway Patrol in closing I-70 was imperative to the safety of the crews as well as the public.

Extreme fire behavior was observed yesterday, including sustained running fire through the tree canopies. For the fourth consecutive day, a Red Flag Warning - a weather descriptor used to indicate the high probability for extreme burning conditions - has been issued for the fire area by the National Weather Service. Today winds are predicted to start off strong and decrease through the afternoon. Temperatures will be slightly cooler today and tomorrow.

Fourteen handcrews, six helicopters, two dozers, and sixteen fire engines are still assigned to the fire, bringing the total personnel to 485. Additional engines have been ordered. The current management team will transition with another team tomorrow morning.

It is unknown when I-70 will be reopened. The most current information can be obtained by dialing 511 within the state of Utah or 866-511-UTAH (8824) outside the state. Castle Rock Campground remains under evacuation. Additional roads have been closed to provide for public and firefighter safety:

Forest Road 119 Indian Creek Road at Pole Creek Junction (Forest Road 589).

Forest Road 114 Shingle Creek Road intersection with the Paiute Trail Mud Flat Road (Forest Road 583).

Forest Road 113 Mill Creek Road (Kimberly) at Mud Springs (junction of Forest Road 116 Sevier Canyon Road).

Forest Road 591 North Fork North Creek at the intersection with Tanner Hollow Road (Forest Road 654).

Forest Road 589 Drag Hollow Road where it intersects with Hell Canyon Road (Forest Road 520).

Forest Road 123 at the Poison Creek gate (just north of Big John's Flat).

Forest Road 113 Beaver Creek Road at the Forest Boundary west of Marysvale.

Forest Road 475 Max Reid/Dry Creek Road at the Fremont Indian State Park.

Forest Road 476 Dry Wash from Old Hwy 4 - Clear Creek Road.

Forest Road 474 Deer Creek Road from the eastern boundary at the Hwy 89 rest area.

What have I gotten myself into?!

Despite what it looks like, it's just C making raspberry jelly.

Twitchell Canyon Fire

This is where Big Boy currently is (#6 in Utah). I got a text from him last night. It sounds like a big fire.


Fire Information Report for Twitchell Canyon
Wildland Fire Incident
Report Date: 16-SEP-10

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Burnt Area:	20,870 Acres (17% increase from yesterday)
Location:	Beaver County, UT (7 Miles East Manderfield)
Cause:	Lightning
Incident Team Type:	IMT Type 2
Team Leader:	Ourada
Containment Status:	0% contained
Expected Containment:	Unknown
Fuels:	Primary fuel model is FM10, with a FM 6 in the lower elevations. Extreme 6013158.00 563PRIM

Large Incident:	A wildfire of 100 acres or more occuring in timber, or a wildfire of 300 acres or more occuring in grass/sage.
Wildland Fire:	Any nonstructure fire, other than prescribed fire, that occurs in the wildland.
Wildland Fire - IMT2:	Wildland fire; Type 2 Incident Management Team Assigned.

The Twitchell Canyon Fire is burning in mixed conifer, in steep, rocky terrain. The fire is located approximately 7 miles east of Manderfield, Utah, near Manderfield Reservoir. The fire is being managed for multiple objectives, which included providing for the safety of the public and firefighters, to increase structural diversity in forest and shrubland ecosystems through use of fire, reducing fuels in a mosaic pattern to effectively manage future fires, and to manage the fire for a scenic vegetation mosaic effect in the Manderfield Reservoir viewshed. To provide for the safety of the public and fire resources an area, road and trail closure order is in effect for lands adjacent to the fire. The order will remain in effect until further notice.

Current Situation (updated 23 hours ago)

Total Personnel	86
Size	17,891 acres
Fuels Involved	10 Timber (litter and understory) Primary fuel model is FM10, with a FM6 in lower elevations.
Fire Behavior	Overall, extreme fire behavior observed over entire fire area. Rapid rates of spread, flame lengths observed of over 200 feet, 1/2 mile spotting with large ash landing over five miles northeast of fire area.
Significant Events	Fire made significant runs and exhibited extreme fire behavior. Fire moved in high rates of spread to the north and is currently posing significant threats to a Power Corridor parallelling I-70 and to I-70 itself. IMT overhead along with local resources are currently gathering intel and discussing strategy and tactics. Mobilization of desired resources are critical to success.

Outlook

Planned Actions	Gather intelligence relating to fire perimeter, begin point protection for power corridor and I-70 Corridor.
Growth Potential	Medium
Terrain Difficulty	Extreme
Remarks	Voluntary evacuation of Castle Rock Campground is in place. Additional resources have been ordered.

Current Weather

Wind Conditions	10 mph SW
Temperature	76 degrees
Humidity	14%

Weekend cooking project

Canning apples for pie and making apple slices for dried apples.

Too ambitious

Not something that I'd ordinarily call myself.

I'm not ambitious. I've always hated the "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" interview question. Honestly, in 5 years I'd like to be 5 years older, still happy and still having the awesome friends that I have now (but maybe in better shape, looking no older than I do now, more cash in the bank, more vacation time, having read more books, my mind a bit less flabby, sons who both act respectful and still speak to me...). My 5 year plans have nothing to do with work other than either continuing to be gainfully employed (or being suddenly independently wealthy).

I walked around a little yesterday. It turned out to be too much. I was too ambitious thinking that I could substitute the distance I'd travel in a day on crutches with the same amount of distance on foot. My foot was aching pretty good by the end of the day. I spent the evening on crutches again. But, what an evening it was! After a somewhat excruciating search in the land of 10,000 lawyers, C landed a job!!! She's going to be working for the Feds. Government attorneys, aren't we great?

Habits

Slightly angled view of my left foot, 9-8-10

This x-ray makes it look all better. It's not really, but there's bone growing in there. The surgeon looked me over yesterday. He said I could wean off the crutches and walk with the boot and then walk around the house wearing shoes (I might have already done this. I can't confirm or deny anything.). Walking with the boot on makes my right hip hurt a lot, in a sick toothache sort of way. Stretching doesn't make it any better. So, my doctor-of-laws (but not of medicine) opinion is that I shouldn't stress out the structure any more than it already has been (I've been to the chiropractor twice since the race). Plus, the boot makes it really hard to drive my car.

I'm allowed to bike, but not to take walks (elliptical is out, too, but then I don't do the elliptical). Until I go for my next follow up and x-ray in a month, I'm going to stick with what I've been doing for the past 10 weeks, which is get around only as much as necessary: around the house, from the handicapped parking spot at work into the building, limited grocery shopping, stop and rest when it hurts.

The new habits I've picked up during my time on crutches feel a little strange now. Driving my own car (manual transmission) and doing it without pain felt oddly liberating. Since I couldn't put weight on my left foot, I had to swing both legs out of the driver's side door when getting out the car so I could use my right foot and the crutches to stand up. And, of course, the crutches got out of the car before me. Just getting out of the car felt weird. Not using the automatic door at work and opening the door myself felt slightly naughty. I feel really light, not having to haul most of my body weight around with my arms and one leg. And it feels kind of wrong, like I shouldn't be allowed to just walk on two legs. Despite the fact that my foot aches if I'm upright for too long (and gives me some nice stabbing pains if I try to walk too far) and I'm not completely steady walking on two feet, everything suddenly feels too easy.

Top view of my foot

You can see from this second x-ray that the break is still visible, but it's all fuzzy with new bone. It's not done healing, but it's definitely not two distinct pieces of bone connected by a pin any longer. This is the view that shows the fracture the best. However, it doesn't really show how the pin is placed. Although I can't get an MRI, I'd have loved to have seen the break in 3D.

Forced crutching does interesting things to your arms (and your hands and your spine), but without it, they'll be back to their old lazy selves in no time. So to replace my crutch habit, this morning I did 100 push ups (25-20-15-15-25). I can do about 25 at a time without falling apart. Crutching up and down stairs also works your abs quite a bit. Instead of crutching, I made myself do 100 crunches. I may still crutch up and down the stairs a bit, because lifting your entire lower body with your core is a lot more work than just crunching your upper half. Maybe I'll have to try the pull up bar in the garage...

Side view. Who knew than pin went in almost vertically?!

Maybe I answered the questions wrong...

You are The Wheel of Fortune

Good fortune and happiness but sometimes a species of
intoxication with success

The Wheel of Fortune is all about big things, luck, change, fortune. Almost always good fortune. You are lucky in all things that you do and happy with the things that come to you. Be careful that success does not go to your head however. Sometimes luck can change.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Best award of all

Mel and Jen got this for me after the momentous Afton Trail run. It's pretty darn awesome!

I've been cheating this weekend and have been taking little walks around the house. So far, so good. I was also Not Completely Useless (tm) yesterday and helped C cut up some trees in her yard.

Big Boy is likely headed back to the midwest in early October. Fire season hasn't been too bad this year and his crew is getting laid off at the end of September.