(UPDATE) Smoky Morning in Eureka as Crews Continue to Battle Lightning Fires to the East
An orange-tinge sky greeted us coastal dwellers upon awaking this morning, the result of some of the 23 confirmed lightning-caused fires burning inland, according to Six Rivers National Forest.
“All incidents remain under a full suppression strategy with rapid and aggressive initial attack operations,” the Forest Service said Wednesday morning. “Air attack is being used to perform reconnaissance throughout the forest and additional resources have been ordered to support these incidents.”
The closest significant blaze — and the one likely responsible for the current color filter on our lives over here — is the Lone Pine Fire burning just south of Hoopa. As of 8:30 a.m. this morning, Zonehaven Aware lists the blaze as having burned 352 acres with no containment to report.
There are no evacuation orders anywhere in Humboldt at this time. We will update if we hear otherwise.
(UPDATE, 10:20 a.m.: The North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District (NCUAQMD) notes that air quality for Del Norte, Humboldt, and Trinity counties is “overall, good to moderate” with “conditions with brief periods of
increased smoke impacts and upper-level haze”)
The Lone Pine Fire is listed at 352 acres as of Wednesday morning | Zonehaven
Six Rivers National Forest gives a Wednesday morning update on how things are going on their end in the release below:
The Six Rivers National Forest has received approximately 150 lightning strikes across the forest since Tuesday evening, resulting in 23 confirmed fires. Firefighters continue to assess current fires and patrol the area to identify other potential starts. All incidents remain under a full suppression strategy with rapid and aggressive initial attack operations. Air attack is being used to perform reconnaissance throughout the forest and additional resources have been ordered to support these incidents.
The Lower Trinity District has a total of 7 reported fires. The Pilot Fire, near Little Pilot Rock, is comprised of 6 separate incidents and is a total of 15 acres. Several air tankers and helicopters are currently working on these fires. Farther north, the Lone Pine Fire, near Horse Linto Creek and Trinity River, is now approximately 352 acres with fire personnel on site. The fire has burned onto the Hoopa Reservation and the forest is working in close coordination with the Tribe. The North Coast Interagency Type 3 Team has assumed command of the Lone Pine Fire as of 7 a.m. this morning, August 16.
On the Mad River District, 9 fires were reported; however, only 2 fires fall within the district boundaries. The Salt Fire and the Betts Fire are both in the Zenia area with fire personnel on the scene and responding to the incidents. The local fire department was able to fully contain one fire and is now in the stages of “mopping up.’
On the Orleans District in the Bluff Creek area north of Mosquito Lake, several fires have been grouped into the Blue Creek Fire. Smoke jumpers have arrived on the scene and are making progress on the 16-acre incident.
The northernmost District, Gasquet, has reported 11 active fires. The Holiday Fire, north of Patrick’s Creek near the Oregon border is currently the largest on the district at approximately 100 acres. The remaining 10 fires are currently under 10 acres each. The Kelly Fire is approximately 1 mile south of Patrick Creek on the south side of Hwy 199 and is visible from the road. Please exercise caution when driving in the area.
There is a red flag warning in effect for the Gasquet, Willow Creek, Orleans, and Mad River areas. Forecasted weather includes low relative humidity, warm temperatures, and wind gusts across the forest.
At this time there are no closures or evacuations in place. For evacuation information please contact your county sheriff’s office.
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