Current Situation: The Reading Fire is 100% contained.  When referring to a wildland fire, the difference between a fire being contained or controlled is that when a fire is contained, a fuel break had been completed around the fire manually by hand line and/or mechanically by dozer line. These fire breaks may also include the use of natural barriers such as rocky outcroppings. When a fire has been controlled, the fireline is secure enough so that flare-ups within the fire perimeter will not break through the line.  A fire referred to as contained does not mean that the fire is controlled.

Smoke will still be visible from unburned islands within the fire perimeter. However, with 100% containment, resources are being released to assist other fires and crews are hauling out miles of hose and other equipment to be cleaned and deployed to other fires.

Smoke and firefighting equipment from the Reading, Chips, Ponderosa and other fires in northern California may present driving hazards. Drive slowly when visibility is low, and be cautious around emergency vehicles.

Weather will be slightly warmer today, with decreased winds and dry conditions and temperatures ranging from 73 to 90 degrees. Winds are expected to increase Thursday and Friday with temperatures 72-88 degrees.

The Lassen National Forest and Lassen Volcanic National Park are working together and providing a coordinated response to the fire.  Smoke will continue to pose health concerns for the public.  Residents are encouraged to visit the “Protect Yourself from Smoke” website for smoke protection information at http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Wildfires/. Local air quality conditions and forecasts are available at http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.main.

Closures – Lassen Volcanic National Park

Campgrounds:

• Butte Lake
• Crags
• Lost Creek
• Summit Lake South
• Summit Lake North
• Manzanita Lake

Roads:

Visitors wanting to access Lassen Volcanic National Park from the north can drive the Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway from the north entrance to Manzanita Lake.  For visitors wanting to access the park from the south entrance, the Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway is open to Summit Lake only. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead for current information.

For additional information, please visit:

• Lassen National Forest website:www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/lassen/alerts-notices
• InciWeb:www.inciweb.org/incident/3112/
• Lassen Volcanic National Park:www.nps.gov/lavo/index.htm or on Twitter@LassenNPS

Location: Portions of Lassen Volcanic National Park and Lassen National Forest

Command: California Interagency Incident Management Team 3 (Pincha-Tulley)

Start Date: July 23, 2012

Cause: Lightning

Acres: 28,079

NPS acres = 16,993

USFS acres = 11,071

Privately Owned Land 75

Percent Containment: 100%

Estimated Containment: August 22, 2012

Resources: Hand Crews: 13

Engines: 33

Helicopters: 3

Injuries: 1

Structures Damaged: 0

Estimated Cost-to-Date: $15,245,077

Total personnel assigned to the incident: 597