Fire in Bishop Canyon?

[Sierra_Smitty]

Lightning strikes should be allowed to burn... That's what they're for.

With all due respect Marley - lightning fires should be allowed to burn only when no homes, businesses, people, historic monuments or property are at risk. This fire, and most of the fires that were started yesterday, threaten all of those things. There are probably dozens of backpackers up there right now that have no idea what is going on and there safety needs to be considered as well. There is a fire up by Bodie right now that is in very real danger of burning up the whole town...which would be an unrecoverable loss of history. The forest service and the park service have certain criteria that they use to determine if a fire will be fought - and I couldn't agree more with the decisions they've made in the last 24 hours.

[Sierra_Smitty]

The scientific truth is that the ecosystem of the Sierras as well as many other areas evolved to be burned in order to be healthy. Furthermore, the Sierras were far sparser in John Muir's day, as can be culled from his books and old pictures. That being said, I doubt there is anyone else on this board who has any deeper or more abiding love as I do for Parchers. Clearly, some are right there with me and that's good. I believe in saving property whenever possible (Parchers being at the top of that list). But, we protect overgrowth at our collective peril.

Just the facts...
Fishin Fool

Just an FYI - most of the fires started yesterday were not in forested areas. The biggest fires are by Bodie, Benton and by us in Bishop Creek. In all three cases, we're talking about sagebrush, mahogany and some scrub pines - not overgrown forests.

[troutdog]

Thanks for the update Smitty, you guys will be in our thoughts and prayers....best of luck and positive mojo sent from my family to yours!


TD

[Sue]

Thanks for the update, Jared - all of us here in the OC, me, Gator, KT, Don, Dan, Jimmy and John have been worried to eff and are thinking of you. Keep us updated, and we'll buy you a beer next time you and Evan are in town!

[Sierra_Smitty]

TD & Sue

Thanks guys for the kind words....I really do appreciate the support. I'll keep everyone posted as best I can.

[spartafish]

off topic, but already mentioned

the word the guy was looking for regarding the pines was seratinous

anyway, hope everyone and their property is safe. fire is good, but to an extent.

[CatchthatTrout]

Jared,

I'm so glad to see you posting and to know hat you and the Parcher's family are safe.

We all will be thinking of you and all the families that are threatened by the fire with our fingers crossed and a little prayer.

Please keep us posted when possible.


P.S. Marley, we respect your opinion, but as TD said.....bad soapbox to climb on to beat your drum, we're concerned for our friends and the surrounding evironment.

[VineAssist]

I hate to get involved or draw comparrisons to things and am probably going to catch some flack for this but here it goes!
a) Jared and his crew at Parchers are my freinds! I have only knowen Jared for maybe a year and he has been absolutley the nicest guy I have ever had the pleasure of being around. He goes outta of his way to make sure his customers are okay.
b) the staff at BCL was super cool to me and I talked to all of them about what life was like out here at the lake. Kind of faimilar.
c) I throughly agree with Jared about protecting homes, buisness and national structures! If that area burned we would loose hundreds of years of history...


I also remeber, and I appreciated, all of the concern when the Sanitago Fire burned right up to the lake edge! Most of you know I call Irvine Lake my home..I baiscally grew up there. And there was a lot of concern for us! I was deeply concerned because this is not only my home lake but its where I make my living.
With that being said how do you think the people of Bishop think when you say let it burn! Jared and his family have their lives invested in that place! Not to mention the countless other people that call that area home! For you to say that is unreal!
With the record temperatures, heat lighting, dry conditions, and a drought this fire season is going to be horrible!!!!! I am praying that the area around the lake does not burn. Their is an area that has not burned in over 50 years! So for the eco people please understand that a lot of peoples blood, sweat and tears go into the buisness out there!
Good luck to all the residents of Bishop!!
Jimmy

[gator1]

Inyo National Forest


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Inyo National Forest
351 Pacu Lane
Suite 200
Bishop, CA 93514
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TTY: 760-873-2538

Newsroom - Forks Fire Update Monday July 20, 2009 – 12:00 noon

News Release

US Forest Service
Inyo National Forest
Contacts: Nancy Upham (760) 873-2427
Printable PDF
Bishop, CA (July 20, 2009)...As of 8:00 this morning the Forks Fire burning in Bishop Creek Canyon is estimated to be about 2100 acres. Light rain fell on the fire late yesterday afternoon causing the relative humidity to remain high throughout the night, so the fire did not grow significantly.
A mandatory evacuation remains in effect for all campgrounds, resorts, marinas, and pack stations in the Bishop Creek drainage, as well as the residential communities of Aspendell and South Fork. Starlite remains under voluntary evacuation. Residents who leave Starlite will be allowed back in if they have proof of residency and have a reason for returning home.
The Evacuation Center in Bishop has been re-located to Pine Street School.
This morning between the hours of 10:00 and 12:00 AM, campers will be escorted in to the campgrounds that they were evacuated from in order to retreive their belongings. All must be back out of the canyon by 1:00 PM.
Fire managers and the Inyo County Sheriff’s Department will be evaluating the situation this afternoon and will attempt to make an announcement by 5:00 this evening regarding whether or not the evacuation will be lifted tomorrow. Please tune in to local radio stations KIBS, KSRW, and KMMT for updated information.
Fire Information is also available by calling 760-873-2503.
A Type II Fire Team from Southern California took over management of the Forks Fire at 8:00 this morning. Airtankers and helicopters will continue to support engines and handcrews working to contain the fire.

[CatchthatTrout]

I hate to get involved or draw comparrisons to things and am probably going to catch some flack for this but here it goes!
a) Jared and his crew at Parchers are my freinds! I have only knowen Jared for maybe a year and he has been absolutley the nicest guy I have ever had the pleasure of being around. He goes outta of his way to make sure his customers are okay.
b) the staff at BCL was super cool to me and I talked to all of them about what life was like out here at the lake. Kind of faimilar.
c) I throughly agree with Jared about protecting homes, buisness and national structures! If that area burned we would loose hundreds of years of history...


I also remeber, and I appreciated, all of the concern when the Sanitago Fire burned right up to the lake edge! Most of you know I call Irvine Lake my home..I baiscally grew up there. And there was a lot of concern for us! I was deeply concerned because this is not only my home lake but its where I make my living.
With that being said how do you think the people of Bishop think when you say let it burn! Jared and his family have their lives invested in that place! Not to mention the countless other people that call that area home! For you to say that is unreal!
With the record temperatures, heat lighting, dry conditions, and a drought this fire season is going to be horrible!!!!! I am praying that the area around the lake does not burn. Their is an area that has not burned in over 50 years! So for the eco people please understand that a lot of peoples blood, sweat and tears go into the buisness out there!
Good luck to all the residents of Bishop!!
Jimmy

Very well said Jimmy.

Thanks for the update Gator.