Contact: Henry Poole, Assistant Forestry Administrator – Delaware Forest Service
henry.poole@delaware.gov
302-698-4548 (office)
August 16 Update:
Delaware’s crew is assigned to the Patch Springs Fire – a 14,000-acre blaze located two miles northwest of Terra, UT that is only 20 percent contained. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, the blaze is characterized by active fire behavior in timber with group tree torching and long-range spotting. Structures are threatened and evacuations in effect.
The Delaware firefighters are working on Division Z, where they are assisting with burn-out operations, line prep and patrolling. There are four crews assigned to the blaze, part of almost 150 personnel assigned to the incident. Estimated containment date: August 22.
August 14 Update:
A team of 20 wildland firefighters from Delaware is battling the Patch Springs Fire – a blaze situated about two miles northwest of Terra, Utah which has burned 10,671 acres to date since it was ignited by a lightning strike on August 10. The fire is one of 34 new fires in the Eastern Great Basin Area, which has raised its Fire Preparedness Level to the maximum level of 5 on a 5-point scale. One fire in that region – the Pony Complex – has already torched over 143,000 acres.
The Delaware Forest Service-trained crew is part of over 150 personnel working to protect residences and other structures on the Patch Springs blaze, which is currently 15 percent contained. The crew had been scheduled to travel to another fire before they were diverted to their current assignment. Officials estimate the blaze could be contained by August 19.
National Fire News –
http://www.nifc.gov
Situation Report –
http://www.nifc.gov/nicc/sitreprt.pdf
The Patch Springs Fire has been reported on two Utah TV stations:
Click here for the FOX 13 News Report
Click here for the ABC 4 News Report