Video: Six Rivers National Forest

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Press release from the Six Rivers National Forest:

Butler Fire Acreage: 3,615

Butler Fire Containment: 0%

Red Fire Acreage: 113

Red Fire Containment: 25%

Operational Update: California Team 1 (CA-CIMT 1) is expected to assume command of the Orleans Complex by Saturday.

• Butler Fire: Today the Butler and Nordheimer Structure Groups will put in more hoselay and set up equipment to protect communities and infrastructure. Crews will continue to assess and prep the Salmon River Road between Butler Creek and Nordheimer Creek. To the east and south, crews will continue to scout Forest Road 10N04, lines from the 2024 Boise Fire, lines in the Horn Gap area, as well as the fire within the Nordheimer drainage. Crews near the Nordheimer community will also assist with structure protection across the Salmon River.

• Red Fire: The Red Fire is estimated to be approximately 113 acres. Smokejumpers and crews are making good progress on putting fireline around the fire. Though there is some complexity in putting line around the left flank of the fire, crews have managed to raise fire containment by 25%. Cultural resource specialists and resource advisors are working in coordination with responders on the ground.

Evacuations:

• Butler Fire: Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office has evacuation warnings and orders in place for the Butler Fire. An Evacuation Order has been issued for zones SIS-1703 (no residents), SIS-1704 (Butler Creek, Lewis Creek, Bloomer Mine residents and Nordheimer Campground), SIS-1803-A (no residents) and SIS-1707-A. Zone SIS-1707-B remains under a Warning, but residents are advised to be prepared as the situation evolves.

• Red Fire: No evacuations or structures threatened.

Closures:

• Butler Fire: Crews may be working along Salmon River Road and impacts from the fire are likely, including smoke and falling debris. Residents should be prepared for potential traffic controls or temporary closures along the road between Butler Flat and Nordheimber Campground. Nordheimer and Oak Bottom Campgrounds are both closed.

• Red Fire: No closures or road impacts.

Weather & Fire Behavior: In the words of incident meteorologist James White, the area is defined as a “land of inversions.” This morning the relative humidities were in the 80s in the lower slopes and valleys and in the 30s-40s in the upper slopes and ridgelines. This is good for fuel moisture recovery and fire behavior. However, as temperatures continue to rise in the coming days and relative humidities decrease, fire behavior will be more active. Wind in the area is expected to be terrain controlled and mostly expected to be be localized and weak. Along the Salmon River as well as ridge tops(north) gusts up to 20 mph may be possible.

Fire Safety & Prevention: Reduced visibility due to smoke as well as possible falling debris along roadways could impact driving safety in the area. Drivers are advised to use caution and check www.roads.dot.ca.gov for any closures before planning trips to the area. Watch for increasing firefighter traffic as the incoming team and additional resources arrive in the area.

Help firefighters by being careful with anything that can spark a wildfire! Going into a hot, dry summer weekend, be careful in the forest and avoid driving or parking on dry grass. Please report suspected wildfires by calling 911.

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