Crews are in the Initial Attack phase of the incident response. The fire is located on a 60%slope, within a thick stand of trees and old growth (HJ Andrews) experimental forest.

Challenges include steep, rugged terrain and a thick canopy on an east facing slope that is making access by both air and ground difficult. The fuel loading in the area is hindering suppression efforts significantly. The fires' fuel type is heavy timber with an extremely thick-canopied tree stand, all within an old growth experimental forest. Deep, thick timber litter/duff (3-5 ft.) with multiple scattered tree limbs/branches throughout the ground level consume the area. Thick brush and shrubs combined with severely overgrown grasses/weeds litter the ground floor. 

Crews have secured access to the fires edge by creating over a mile of escape/safety line, through dense underbrush but are having a hard time engaging due to the severity of the risks involved with the vegetation and safety.

Yesterday, the fire was most active on the north and northeast flanks. Helicopters dropped water on the fires' perimeter to slow advancement. As of yesterday evening, crews were able to create minimal handline on the bottom of the fire. The incident was most active between the hours 1pm and 5pm.

Heavy Timber with extremely thick-canopied tree stands and all within old growth experimental forest. Deep, thick timber litter/duff (3-5 ft.) with multiple scattered tree limbs/branches throughout the ground level area. Thick brush and shrubs along with severely overgrown grasses/weeds litter the ground floor. 

12 hours: Continued movement east towards forest boundary and off of the Cane Bench

24 hours: Continued East and Northeast movement under the influence of elevated winds into the rim canyons along the edge of the bench

48 hours: Movement off the bench through the canyons and along cliff faces through available fuel.