Map of the Tucker Fire 10 miles south of Newell California along Highway 139. Estimated to be 2,461 acres.(click for larger)

Newell, Calif. - The Tucker Fire, started yesterday afternoon along the east side of Hwy 139 near Dry Lake, was last reported at 2,461 acres. 200 Firefighters from eight different resources responded to the fire and immediately reported erratic fire behavior and activity in all areas of the fire.

No evacuations have been ordered and no homes are threatened at this time.

The fire did threaten the high voltage transmission power lines that run parallel to CA139 in the fire zone. Power was cut from the lines so that crews could work safely near the transmission lines.

Bulldozers made good progress on all flanks yesterday and last night. Hand crews will work to connect fire line today in areas bulldozers cannot access. The threat to the 500 Kv transmission line has been mitigated at this time.

According to, Jason Miller, Modoc National Forest Detail Battalion Chief and Incident Command 3 Trainee for the Tucker Fire, the original call into dispatch came in around 2:00 PM, July 28.

“We have a unified command says, Miller. We have several agencies out here right now totaling around 200 firefighters. We currently have CAL FIRE, Tulelake Fire, US Forest Service, BLM, private contracted equipment, Modoc County Sheriff, California Highway Patrol, and a truck from Lava Beds National Monument.”

Several heavy air tankers and single engine air tankers have been assigned too and from the fire. The had been flying in and out of the Klamath Falls Air Tanker Base and the Redding Air Tanker Base. One CAL FIRE helicopter had been drawing water out of a nearby private pond on Dry Lake Ranch.

“For now we are just trying to get the edge buttoned up on the far side,” said Miller. “We are doing some firing operations to secure the line that we have and we are going to try and hold that over night. If things hold with weather, we are going to get up first thing in the morning [Monday, July 29] and be ready to go back at it, hold, secure and protect what we have.”

Cause of the fire is under investigation but believed to be human caused.

Additional Photos

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Tucker Fire Details

Cause: Human

Size: 2,461 Acres

Location: 10 Miles south of Newell, California

Resources:
Cal Fire
Tulelake Fire
US Forest Service
BLM
Private Contractors
Modoc County Sherriff
California Highway Patrol
Lava Beds NM
2 VLAT
4 SEAT
1 Helicopter

Fuel: Grass, Juniper, and Sagebrush