Wildfires in Shasta Trinity NF

[buschwhaked]

Sorry for posting outside my home forum but I just wanted to see if I could get some more information.

My Army unit is probably going to deploy to the Trinity NF area near Redding CA in order to help in the fire fighting. It's a little outside the active duty Army's regular role so I'm wondering just how bad it is.

Is anybody on the board either involved, or know someone who is involved so I can get some contact information?

How difficult is the terrain our there? Are there a lot of forest road that an Army humvee will be able to move through?

How does the terrain affect the behavior of the fire? Is it mostly underbrush burning or we talking total deforestation?

Any help or anything would be greatly appreciated. Since the reserves and national guard are usually the ones that do this type of thing there is no one with any experience in this in our unit, so even little tidbits of information outside of the questions asked would be excellent.

 

[downhillracer]

I used to fight fire up here.... more towards Quincy though. Where you are going to be is mountainous terrain.... some more so than others depending on what part of the complex you are ar. There are all kinds of fire roads in the TGU that you will be able to move around in.... not to mention the dozer lines that they are cutting. I havent been involved with the fire this season but based on fires up there from a few seasons ago it is probably mixed between canopy fires and floor burning depending on the terrain. Im guessing that they wont have you cutting line or anything like that.... thats what shots and con-crews are for. More than likely you will just do structure protection and basic evac setup. If you need contacts once you are deployed here just stop at any USFS station or any of the cal stations in butte. They will give you specifics at camp. Hope this helps. Be safe.

 

[jeepme]

Definately be safe, and thanks very much for helping save our forest!!!!!

 

[buschwhaked]

Thanks for the help. The most frustrating thing about all this is, we're not exactly sure what our role is going to be. From what little understanding we have right now, we are probably just going to be utility men, supplementing the forces already in place. I don't really want to say what complexes we are going to for security reasons, but it's definitly in the NF. I'll keep you guys updated if any of the information changes.

 

[downhillracer]

Security reasons? Ok..... I dont think that there is anything top secret going on up in TGU. Also I dont think that you have to worry about anything as far as what you will be doing. Truthfully wildfires aren't dangerous as long as you aren't a dumbass and mind your 10's and 18's.

 

[buschwhaked]

That's not the deal, I just don't want to put out movement exact times, final location, and that kinda of thing. Not because I really think something is going to happen but because those are the rules.

 

[Cornflake]

i just drove from redding to eureka via 299 and there were still alot of spot fires just about the whole drive. the terrain sucks. i'd hate to be up in that mess. that is all that i can add. it's very hot, smoky and steep. be careful.

 

[kdailey4315]

I just spent this week in the Fort Jones/Yreka area and it was super smokey in that area.