Evacuations lifted in Slink Fire south of Topaz, US 395 re-opens, Marine Corps assists
The Slink Fire behavior moderated Tuesday at 11,000 acres and hard work by firefighters has increased the containment to 10 percent. All evacuations in the towns of Walker and Coleville have been lifted and Highway 395 is now open to traffic, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Air operations have been a challenge for the lightning-caused Slink Fire due to dense smoke creating poor visibility in the last few days. Tuesday, however, clearer air gave aircraft the opportunity to engage in firefighting efforts for the entire operational shift. The #SlinkFire is in Slinkard Valley, 2 miles west of Coleville, Calif.
Several retardant drops were made by heavy airtankers, single engine airtankers and very large airtankers, also known as VLATS. A VLAT is a converted passenger jetliner that can carry up to 12,000 gallons of fire retardant, according to the Forest Service.
The combination of fixed wing retardant drops and helicopter water drops greatly supported firefighters on the eastern and southern portions of the fire. There are 249 fire personnel on scene.
Because of the proximity to the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, the Marine Corps personnel have offered assistance to the fire. They are being utilized in several ways to support the fire camp and logistical needs.
“The cooperation between the Marine Corps and the Incident Management team has been outstanding. They have been a valuable asset and we greatly appreciate their help. When we have needed anything, we didn’t even have to ask, they were already doing it,” Says Scott Fraser, Sierra Front Team 2 Incident Commander.
A type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered and will be taking over the fire in the next few days. Go here for daily fire updates.