Caples Fire is now 73 percent contained; 3,434 acres burned

The Caples Fire has been transferred back to USFS and managed by a smaller Type 4 organization now that it is 73 percent contained. A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team is assigned to the fire to determine what actions need to be taken to repair damage or prevent further damage from erosion and precipitation.

What started as a USFS prescribed burn on September 30 was reclassified as a wildland fire ten days later, giving crews extra and needed resources from local and state responders when winds fanned flames.

So far, 3434 acres have burned and the fire is now 73 percent contained.

Crews are making good progress as they continue to secure the handline on the southern section of the fire with tactical burning operations to remove fuel between the line and fire’s edge, mop-up of hotspots on the rest of the southern line, and work on suppression repair of the lines. This southeast section of the fire is in a roadless area in the Caples Creek drainage. The area is predominately rocky terrain with islands and stringers of vegetation and timber.

A cold front will move across the region Wednesday, bringing gusty northeast winds to Sierra ridges and Lake Tahoe ridges, and areas west of the crest. Lower humidity will also accompany this front with poor overnight recoveries of the fire Wednesday night through Saturday. Fire Weather Watch in effect from late Tuesday night through Thursday afternoon.

Due to the fire and suppression operations in progress, the following roads and trails are unsafe for public use. The roads and trails in the Caples fire area are still closed by forest order 03-19-11. If you see a road blocked, please comply to keep firefighters and the public safe.

Forest Road: 10N40 (Silverfork Road), starting from its intersection with 11N23 (Packsaddle Pass Road), then south to its intersection with 10N50 (Mormon Emigrant Trail). 11N23 (Packsaddle Pass Road), starting from its intersection with 11N40 (Silverfork Road), then north 10.12 miles. 10N13 (Schneider Camp Road), 10N16 (Martin Meadow Road), 10N16A, and 10N16E. Forest Road 11N19 (Strawberry Jeep Trail) from its intersection with Forest Road 10N13.

Forest Trails: 17E15 Cody Meadows, 17E20 Silver Fork, 17E22 from Highway 88 north to end, 17E49 Strawberry Creek, 17E51 Caples Creek, 17E53 Kirkwood Lake Loop, 17E63 Forgotten Flat, 17E71 Old Silver Lake Trail,17E73 Strawberry 4WD Trail, and 17E74 Spur Bee 4WD Trail.