[Updated 9/11/2022 at 10:30am] Berkeley Forests staff continue to monitor the progress of the Mosquito Fire on Blodgett Forest. As of the Sunday morning Cooperator Meeting, fire crews have contained much of the active fire within the bounds of Blodgett Forest. Fire behavior and weather continue to be favorable in the area, and fire line is in place across much of the fire permiter located within Blodgett Forest (as visible on this map). As winds shift to a southwesterly flow (i.e. coming out of the southwest and moving east), fire weather will continue to be favorable to moving the fire away from Blodgett Forest.
Berkeley Forests’ Research Forest Manager, Ariel Roughton, has worked dilligently with incident managers and the fire crews to ensure that the fire operations carried out at Blodgett Forest took into consideration the highly valuable research being conducted on the property. Thanks to her efforts, Berkeley Forests is hopeful that much of our existing research has been protected from fire suppression impacts (primarly dozer line).
[Updated 9/9/2022 at 11:49am] Berkeley Forests staff have confirmed with on-the-ground fire personnel that as of early morning September 9th, the Mosquito Fire is burning within the boundaries of Blodgett Forest Research Station, generally on the northwest portion of the property. Prior to the fire entering the property, all Blodgett Forest personnel were evacuated and are safe at this time.
Fire safe clearing is in place around the structures on the property in the “Headquarters” area (where buildings including the Vaux Center, A-Frame Cabins, Staff House, and others are located). Although the fire has not yet burned in this area, it will likely reach this portion of the property in the coming day. Fire personnel have indicated that structure protection is their priority at this time.
Berkeley Forests staff continue to coordinate with fire personnel with the goal of minimizing the impacts on the research plots throughout the forest. A more detailed update will be provided as additional information becomes available and Berkeley Forests staff are allowed back onto the property.
Blodgett Forest personnel are extremely busy at this time, and Berkeley Forests requests interested parties continue to check the link below for updates, rather than contacting Blodgett Forest or UC Berkeley personnel directly. Urgent inquiries can be directed to Rachelle Hedges (rachelle.hedges@berkeley.edu) or 510-664-4903.
For further updates, check https://forests.berkeley.edu/news/2022/09/blodgett-forest-research-station-the-mosquito-fire-99-update.
