Updated: 1:41 a.m. July 19

First discovered: 9 hours ago, 4:11 p.m. July 18

Initial location: Shasta County, Calif.

Fire type: Wildfire, Type 3

Fire name: Brook

Brook Fire initially started 4:11 p.m. July 18 in Shasta County, 10 miles from Redding.

Since its discovery nine hours ago, it has burned 366 acres of private land. A fire crew of 423 is working on site. Currently, there is no information on the containment of the fire and the cause of it is still undetermined. To date, the expenses for managing the fire stand at $850,000.

The main fuel for this fire consists of two-foot brush.

The effects of two-foot brush as a wildfire fuel

Due to the density and flammability of brush vegetation, brush fires create moderate to high intensity flames. Containment efforts might be challenging, especially in dry and windy conditions, as such wildfire tends to spread rapidly. There’s an increased risk of ember production, which can lead to spot fires as well as brush fuels produce dense smoke.

NIFC Fire Complexity Analysis

This wildfire is considered to be a Type 3 incident. What it means:

• Resources are usually local and some or all of the command and general staff positions may be activated, usually at the division/group supervisor and/or unit leader level. Units may have a predetermined Type 3 organization designated.

• Type 3 organizations manage initial attack fires with a significant number of resources, an extended attack fire until containment/control is achieved or an escaped fire until a Type 1 or 2 team assumes command.

• Initial briefing and closeout are more formal.

• Resources vary from several resources to several task forces/strike teams.

• The incident may be divided into divisions.

• The incident may involve multiple operational periods prior to control, which may require a written Incident Action Plan (IAP).

• A documented operational briefing will be completed for all incoming resources and before each operational period. Refer to Incident Response Pocket Guide for outline.

• Staging areas and a base may be used.

• By completing an Incident Complexity Analysis, a fire manager can assess the hazards and complexities of an incident and determine the specific positions needed (e. G, if sensitive public/media relationships are evident, then an information officer should be ordered as part of the team).

• When using a Type 3 organization or incident command organization, a manager must avoid using them beyond the Type 3 complexity level.

• A Type 3 IC will not serve concurrently as a single

Source: National Interagency Fire Center