Cal Fire Air Attack 120 is over the Six Rivers Lightning Complex fires and is currently working Cal Fire tankers 91, 94, 95 and 96 as well as several large air tankers out of Redding. They appear to be putting retardant down in the general area of Horse Mountain to the southwest of Willow Creek and along the north end of the Oak/Ammon Fires. Air tankers were used extensively over the last few days, mostly along the south end of the Ammon Fire

Late last week, local tattoo artist Randy Meyer was in a serious collision while riding his motorcycle near the intersection of R and Fifth streets in Eureka. The co-owner of Sangha Tattoo Studio was thrown from his ride and suffered spiral compound fractures on his left tibia and fibula and multiple pelvic fractures. Due to the severity of Meyer’s injuries, he is currently being treated out of county. 

Needless to say, Meyer is looking at a long recovery. To try and lessen the strain, friends are raising funds on his behalf. If you are moved to donate you can do so here.

The Six Rivers National Forest has closed the Lower Trinity Ranger District, which is basically everything in the Willow Creek area south and just east of the Square. See a detailed map here.

Here’s the order, just released via Inciweb:

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited within the Six Rivers National Forest. This Order is effective from August 9, 2022, through September 15, 2022.

1. Going into or being upon any National Forest System lands within the Lower Trinity Ranger District, as shown on Exhibit A. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(e).

2. Being on any National Forest System road within the Lower Trinity Ranger District, as shown on Exhibit A. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).

3. Being on any National Forest System trail within the Lower Trinity Ranger District, as shown on Exhibit A. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order.2. Any Federal, State, or local officer, member of an organized rescue or fire-fighting force in the performance of an official duty.3. Owners or lessees of land, to the extent necessary to access their land.4. Residents, to the extent necessary to access their residences.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A.

A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.

𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗘𝗩𝗔𝗖𝗨𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 issued for HUM-E032-B, NE of Willow Creek. Prepare for potential evacuations, including personal supplies, overnight accommodations, & livestock considerations. Map: https://t.co/oRrHx4AAFG#SixRiversLightningComplexFire pic.twitter.com/6lRKTwyoTK

— Humboldt Co OES (@HumCoOES) August 10, 2022

Great story by the North Coast Journal’s Linda Stansberry about a burned excavator in the hills near a future logging site at Rainbow Ridge, in the Mattole Valley. Cal Fire is investigating the incident as arson.

Beyond the incident itself, which took place Monday, Stansberry paints a grim picture of high tension around the ever-controversial site, with forest activists all but accusing logging contractors of a false flag operation in the excavator’s torching.

Side note: The LoCO Spillbot notes this morning that the fire released somewhere in the neighborhood of 170 of oil and diesel fuel into the environment.

UPDATED: Arson Suspected in Mattole Valley Logging Equipment Fire

CalFire has launched an arson investigation after an excavator caught fire on California State Park property near Honeydew yesterday afternoon. A witness allegedly saw two…

NORTH COAST JOURNAL