Location: North of Highway 169, south of Crater Mountain near the community of Cherry
Start Date: July 21, 2023
Size: 405 acres
Cause: Lightning
Containment: 20%
Resources: 1 Type-1 Crew, 7 Type-2 Crews, 4 Engines, 1 Dozer and additional support personnel.
Fire behavior: Moderate fire behavior
Types of vegetation in the area (aka fuels): Grass, Brush
SUMMARY: Fire activity declined Monday over the Racetrack Fire increasing containment to 20%. Although area thunderstorms to date have not supplied significant rain on the fire, they have been a daily event in the surrounding area and have increased humidity levels. The effect has been diminished fire activity as lighter fuels absorb moisture associated with higher humidity and quickly becoming less flammable and unavailable to ignite largerfuels. Unburned heavy fuels in the interior of the Racetrack Fire continue to burn; some smoke may be visible as these fuels burn. Resources will continue working on reinforcing the control line on the northern perimeter.
Fire managers are crediting the slowing of forward progression into the community of Cherry to previous prescribed fire prepping where firefighters put in control lines strategically located south of Cherry. This gave firefighters the upper hand in stopping the fire from moving into the community.
Possible afternoon showers are predicted for today, along with associated strong gusty winds and lightning.
