Smoke billows from the Butler Fire (Photo by Jean Hawthorne and provided by the Six Rivers National Forest.)

According to a press release from NorCal Team ll, the fire management team in charge of both the new Butler fire and the continuing Dance Fire, the new fire which started around 10 P.M. last night has reached 400 acres and has 0% containment. The Dance fire near Orleans has been surveyed and the acreage burnt is now believed to be 577 acres and is 95% containment. The two areas are now being managed by the same team and together are called the Orleans Complex.

The Butler Fire, as it is in a steep, rough area with that is difficult to access, it is proving tricky to manage. According to the InciWeb, “early on, crews which were engaged in initial attack had to disengage due to increased fire behavior and rolling boulders.”

According to NorCal Team, “the fire is burning mostly on the south side of the Salmon River. A spot fire detected earlier on the north side of the fire is estimated to be about ¼ acre. It is currently being held with helicopter support.”

Highway 93 (Forks of Salmon Rd) is closed at Oak Bottom Campground. Nordheimer Campground is also closed as is the Salmon River and adjacent land between Wooley Creek and Nordheimer Campground.

The Dance Fire is now 95% contained. GPS mapping shows that the fire area encompasses less than originally thought.  It is now believed to be 577 acres. The NorCal team says, “Crews continued to make good progress strengthening control lines and mop-up continues around the edges of the fire while looking for weakened trees and hot spots. The fire is smoldering and creeping within contained islands of heavy fuels. Visitors and residents will continue to see smoke within the fire perimeter.”

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