Not much knew information, and, unfortunately, no new pictures. However, here’s the latest fact sheet (Skates Fire Fact Sheet 6-17-06)from the Forest Service regarding the fire. Highlights: 8,500 acres burned Residents were allowed to return to their homes briefly 30% of the fire was contained (as of Saturday morning) 364 personnel (roughly the same number [...]

(click for larger image) Red area was fire activity Thursday morning (from what I understand). The black line running along the top of the map was the hand line. Each grid is 1 mile square. The red lines drawn with a sharpie at the top are where the fire breached the hand line Thursday afternoon.

(click for larger image) At about 4:00 Thursday afternoon the Skates Fire, after spreading almost two miles from its position this morning, breached a hand-cut fireline. According to fire officials, about 50 structures in the Lake Roberts/Sapillo Creek area were threatened by the fire, though none were destroyed thanks to the hard work of fire [...]