REDDING, Calif. July 12, 2009 - Firefighters from the Shasta-Trinity National Forest attacked and contained a new fire about two miles northwest of Hyampom. Officials believe the fire was caused by the lightning storms in the area on July 1, and just today became active under the recent warmer and drier conditions.
The Lucy Fire, named for the nearby Lucy Gulch, was reported at 1:25 this afternoon. Five smokejumpers, one hand crew, five engines and a water-dropping helicopter aided by three tanker loads of retardant from the Redding airbase, had the fire contained by 3:00 p.m. The Lucy Fire was limited to one-half acre in moderately heavy conifer fuel, and had a high potential to spread rapidly.
"This immediate air attack successfully surrounded the fire with retardant, allowing the smokejumpers to get close to the fire and complete the line," stated Kent Romney, spokesman for the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. "It was an aggressive and well-delivered combination of air and ground resources that allowed them to keep this one from becoming a big problem," he continued.
The five smokejumpers remained at the fire scene this evening to continue mopping up the fire.
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