We’ll start today’s fire update with just a quick visual and statistical rundown of the fires currently burning here in Northern California (as of Friday, 8/14). More details to those who click the complex names:

MAD RIVER COMPLEX (Ruth Lake)
Acres: 21,955; Containment: 50%; Personnel: 1,243 

On the Pickett Fire (10,161 acres), night crews held the fireline on the northeast side of the fire, near Forest Glen, where day crews had conducted defensive firing operations. The fire spotted across Highway 36 yesterday afternoon in a few areas, which the night crews successfully mopped up. Today, crews will continue to monitor the fire as it slowly backs downslope toward Highway 36. Structure protection crews will remain in the Forest Glen area.

Last night, crews patrolled the Gobbler Fire (8,287 acres), which is largely contained and not active around its perimeter. Today, crews will continue to mop up and begin suppression-rehabilitation work in preparation for road closures and evacuations being lifted in the near future. Fire-weakened trees falling on roads continues to be a concern.

Crews held firelines last night, on the Lassic Fire (3,507 acres). Today, crews will look for opportunities to build line adjacent to the fire’s edge where the fire has crept over Blanket Creek. The goal is to limit fire growth toward the northwest and the populated Swayback Ridge area to the north. Firefighters are prepared to use defensive firing to limit the fire’s spread to the east along FS Road 01S07.

Today’s light winds will be shifting to the northwest. Gusts up to 15 mph will occur in areas that align with northwest drainages and river valleys. Expect temperatures in the 80s and relative humidity in the 20s.

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RIVER COMPLEX (near Denny)
Acres: 32,880; Containment: 18%; Personnel: 736

The three fires on the River Complex have burned 32,880 acres, with 18 percent containment and 736 personnel. This morning, management of the fire transitioned to the Great Basin Incident Management Team 2, led by Incident Commander Chris Ourada, from Incident Commander Mark von Tillow’s California Interagency Incident Management Team 3.

The fire has continued to burn at a low intensity, while consuming surface fuels, in the Denny area. The steep terrain is causing falling trees, boulders and rolling material near Denny road, making transportation hazardous.
A high priority for firefighters today is to scout out trails and natural barriers on the northwest flank of the fire along the wilderness boundary, and tie those natural barriers into firelines created during the 2013 Corral Complex. Crews will also continue with structure defense near Denny.

Winds will come from the south this morning, changing to northeast winds later in the day. A smoke column will shade the ground fuels from the sun, causing a cooling affect and fire behavior to lessen. However, skies will be clearer today, enabling air resources to support crews on the ground with suppression efforts.

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HUMBOLDT LIGHTNING FIRES (near Blocksburg/Alderpoint)
Acres: 4,883; Containment: 70%; Personnel: 1,728 

There are seven active fires ranging in size from 147 to 1,774 acres, for a total of 4,883 acres burned. Fire growth is not anticipated on the Blocksburg , Bluford, Dobbyn, Steelhead, Wildcat or Winchester Fires.

Fires are burning in steep, rugged terrain with poor access and heavy timber fuels. Fires threaten Mount Lassic Wilderness, as well as commercial timberland. Much of the timberland is owned by small timberland and rangeland owners, who rely on timber and range revenue for a steady source of income. Fires threaten habitat for threatened and endangered species.

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SOUTH COMPLEX (near Burnt Ranch)
Acres: 17,234; Containment: 20%; Personnel: 989

Public meetings will be held in Hyampom at the Hyampom VFD at 4pm and in Burnt Ranch at the Burnt Ranch School at 6pm on Friday, August 14.

Moderate fire activity was observed on the South Complex overnight, and favorable conditions allowed night shift firefighters to make good progress on holding and improving lines.

The Pattison Fire continues to move slowly southward toward Corral Creek. Crews will begin work on proposed containment and contingency lines today. Fireline on the northern edge of the fire (below Forest Road 3N47 Road) held well, and crews fired around structures in Corral Bottom to secure them as the fire backed northward.

Crews on the Castle Fire along the river continued to improve dozer line running southwest from Forest Road 3N54 across Forest Road 3N47 to tie into Garrett Road. Structure engines stayed in place overnight to begin point protection should it become necessary, and a voluntary evacuation is in effect for the residents on Garrett Road. Line above Forest Road 4N09 on the southwest side of the fire held well, but rolling material over the road continues to challenge containment. Keeping the road clear is a high priority for firefighters as it provides access to the west side of the fire.

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ROUTE COMPLEX (near Hyampom/Mad River)
Acres: 26,910; Containment: 27%; Personnel: 915 

The three fires of the Route Complex—Buck, Johnson, and Chance—have burned 26,910 acres, with 27 percent containment and 915 personnel assigned. The Johnson Fire is at 24,663 acres, the Buck Fire is at 1,670 acres and the Chance Fire is at 161 acres. 

The Northern Rockies Type 1 Incident Management Team will assume command of the Route Complex, on Saturday, August 15, at 6 a.m. The new fire management team will begin the transition process today, in coordination with the Southern California Incident Management Team 1. They will continue to evaluate opportunities to conduct burnout operations and increase containment. The incident command post will remain at the Southern Trinity School, in Mad River.

On the Johnson Fire, crews continued burnout operations overnight along the fire’s southern edge. Last night’s burnout operation, on the east side of the fire near Hyampom, successfully secured additional line. Crews will continue to conduct mop-up operations and patrol to hold the line. Crews also made progress improving dozer line along the western perimeter.

The Buck and Chance fires are at 100 percent containment and are in patrol status, where crews will monitor any remaining fire activity.

Temperatures forecasted for the mid-70s today and 30% humidity. A warming and drying trend is expected through the weekend.

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FORK COMPLEX (near Hayfork)
Acres: 30,154; Containment: 32%; Personnel: 2,411

California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 (Opliger) has assumed command of the Fork Complex of fires. Crews will be carrying point protection, initiate perimeter control and take suppression actions, hold and patrol established contained fires, establish/construct direct and indirect control line, and establish contingency line.

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GASQUET COMPLEX (near Gasquet)
Acres: 3,069; Containment: 29%; Personnel: 634

There are six fires on the Gasquet Complex—Bear, Coon, Peak, Summit, Williams and Feeder—totaling 3,069 acres, with 29 percent containment and 634 personnel. A warmer, drying trend is expected to begin today and continue through the weekend. Firefighter safety is a concern due to steep rugged terrain and long distances between fires. The plan for these fires involves multiple tactical operations, including direct and indirect fireline construction, heavy equipment use, tree felling and firing operations.

Southern California Incident Management Team 2 is offering two tours of the Gasquet Fire Complex base camp, on Saturday, August 15. The first tour is at 10 a.m.; the second, at noon. Anyone interested in attending should call (707) 925-3172. Visitors should be prepared for an hour-long, mile-and-a-half walking tour of the camp.

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NICKOWITZ FIRE (near Somes Bar)
Acres: 1,606; Containment: 45%; Personnel: 323

The Nickowitz Fire is 1,606 acres, with 45 percent containment and 323 personnel. Fire will be bumping FS Road 13N01 with more activity today. Crews will continue burnout operations from Drop Point 8 (DP8) west to the FS Road 12N11 road and east to DP7 to hold fire within the constructed line. Night shift will continue burnout operations to DP9 on the west and east to the FS Road 13N01J road.

Later this afternoon, a Type 2 incident management team (NorCal Team 1) will be transitioning with the Type 3 team managing the Nickowitz Fire.

(Updates from Six Rivers National Forest, Calfire and InciWeb/Maps courtesy Calfire)

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A few quick updates: 

  • The North Coast Air Quality Management District (NCUAQMD) has dropped their hazardous smoke alert. The following areas are still experienceing unhealthy conditions: Weaverville, Hayfork, Trinity Pines, Wildwood, Big Bar, Junction City, Hyampom, Mad River, Dinsmore and Denny. More details here.
  • Coast Central Credit Union is matching up to $2,500 in community donations to help with local forest fire relief efforts in Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity Counties. The money will be used to purchase bottled water, sleeping bags, filtration masks and other needed supplies for the affected families. Credit union members and non-members are invited to donate. Donations can be made to the “Coast Central 2015 Tri-County Fire Relief Donation Fund - #200644.” Call 800-974-9727 for more details.

Remember, the latest fire updates from NorCal fires pop up in LoCO‘s “Elsewhere” section.