Sunshine and lower humidity Thursday began drying fuels and stirring flames on the Stoner Mesa Fire, but firefighters remain ahead of the blaze, according to a Friday morning news release.
A Stoner Mesa Fire Information page Facebook post from yesterday stated that “crews are still finding areas of heat across the fire area – more than was indicated by an infrared aerial survey of the fire made last night.”
The fire remains at 10,249 acres since Tuesday, with containment last reported at 43%.
Hot spots identified along or near the fire’s edge have largely been extinguished, with more patrol underway to monitor any incoming flames.
Hot spots near the fire’s edge have mostly been extinguished, with crews continuing patrols. In rugged terrain south of the fire, crews are building new firelines.
The Great Lakes Wildfire Module has addressed hot spots on the fire’s western edge of the fire, located in another area of steep terrain close to the Stoner Mesa Trail. The Module has gotten assistance from a specialized vehicle known as a Soft Track, which can access hard-to-reach areas and simultaneously work to extinguish flames.
Both the removal of hazard trees and chipping of slash piles near Stoner are underway for the Los Padres Hotshot crew. Dozerline improvement is taking place close to Stoner as well.
Structure protection crews are also removing hoses and sprinklers along sections of County Road 38 where the fire has been assessed to no longer pose a risk.
Humidity will be increasing Friday and some chance of rain are present for earlier in the day. Lightning and a thunderstorm are possibilities in higher terrain.
