Current situation: CAL FIRE’s unified team and the U.S. Forest Service are engaged in a coordinated and collaborative response to take suppressive action on the August Complex, which has been split into three zones to effectively provide a response for the communities at risk.
Due to resource draw down throughout the state, CAL FIRE’s Incident Management Team requested the California National Guard to assist with fire suppression efforts and as a result of CAL FIRE’s request, 138 National Guard personnel are assigned to the incident. Additionally, resources from across the state of California as well as Montana, Idaho, Texas, Washington and New Jersey have been assigned to assist on the August Complex-West Zone.
The August ComplexWest Zone has burned 104,836 acres, spans approximately 195 miles of fire line and is 70% contained with more than 1,700 firefighters battling the fire from the air and the ground.
The ongoing fire suppression efforts have resulted in some evacuation orders and warnings being reduced while the Incident Commanders constantly evaluate existing orders and warnings as anticipated and observed fire conditions change.
Incident Commanders have been monitoring predicted weather including the red flag warning in effect and have adjusted fire suppression strategies as expected weather conditions change. In preparation for the forecasted heat and high winds, firefighters have been working diligently to improve and widen containment lines across all 195 miles of fire line, actively performing direct fire attack and mop up where fire conditions safely allow.
Very large air tankers (VLAT) capable of carrying 9,400 gallons of fire retardant have been utilized to strategically drop fire retardant and further strengthen containment lines. Meanwhile, islands of unburned vegetation within the perimeter of the fire continue to burn. In addition to the focus on fire suppression in the West Zone, Incident Commanders are monitoring the fire burning in the Yolla-Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness (August Complex - North Zone) north east of Covelo.
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