[UPDATE 8:14 a.m.: 400 Acre ‘Slopover’] South Fork Complex Fueled by Northern Winds, Edges Closer to Vital Hwy 36 Corridor

Thick smoke rolling off the 3-9 Fire yesterday. [Photo from the South Fork Complex–Trinity County Facebook page]

3-9 Fire The northern division (Division O), has 100% hand line completed around the perimeter. Fire personnel continue to mop up and increase depth of the containment line. Yesterday, in the southern division (Division A), a 400-acre slop over crossed over the dozer line and contingency line as the fire was in alignment with the wind and topography. Dozers will continue to open up roads south of the fire perimeter. Aircraft continue supporting firefighting efforts with water and retardant drops to slow fire progression and allow crews an opportunity to go direct along the fire perimeter. Along the northwestern perimeter, crews continue to mop up and secure control lines down to and paralleling Pilot Creek. On the eastern portion of the fire (Division W), they continue to monitor and mop up spot fires with the assistance of helicopter water drops.

Pilot Fire Crews have successfully finished 100% containment line around the perimeter and continued to focus on mopping up and adding depth. Fire personnel will continue to secure and mop up the perimeter and improve contingency lines.

Current Situation: People and Equipment:

850 personnel, crews, engines, dozers, water tenders and air support

3-9 Fire: 2,427 acres with 22% containment

Pilot Fire: 1,055 acres with 96% containment

Pellitreau Fire: 3 acres with 100% containment

Sulphur Fire: 31 acres with 100% containment

3516 Acres 45% overall containment for the Complex

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Driven by strong north winds yesterday, the South Fork Complex which is burning in Humboldt County but has been of most concern to residents of Trinity County near Hyampom, grew south and eastward. Unfortunately, it’s path is pushing towards the vital Hwy 36 corridor that connects communities along Hwy 101 with those in Trinity County and even takes travelers to the I-5. With their eye on the concerning conditions, Humboldt County authorities put in place evacuation warnings near the Henry Ridge area along the Trinity County border.

Just before 9 p.m. Tuesday, the South Fork Complex–Trinity County Facebook page which is kept updated by an interagency management team in charge of the Complex posted, “Wind driven fire made a major run to the southeast. Fire continues burning towards the highway 36 corridor.”

The Hwy 36 road is about five miles south of the complex. The influence of northwest winds, accompanied by gusts reaching 30 mph, triggered spot fires mostly along the southern perimeter of the 3-9 fire area. These embers caught the wind’s momentum and carried the flames in a southward direction. the South Fork Complex–Trinity County Facebook page warned, “Fire behavior is showing a rapid rate of spread to the south, close to Henry Ridge.”

ALERTCalifornia cameras yesterday captured the fire’s response to the prevailing northwesterly winds, with large plumes seen throughout the day.

Large smoke plumes rose from the 3-9 Fire yesterday. [Image from the ALERTCalifornia Bald Jesse cameras]

But yesterday changed that. In the span of half a day, the fire consumed approximately 323 acres, expanding from the morning’s estimate of 2952 acres to an evening measurement of 3275 acres, according to information provided by the Northern California Geographic Coordination Center. The containment percentage, which had stood at 45% earlier in the day, receded to 41% by Tuesday evening.

The following figures encapsulate the evolving situation on the 3-9 Fire:

All the growth and loss of containment is from what occurred on the 3-9 Fire Tuesday.

Now the midday hours of Wednesday, today, are anticipated to bring even stronger winds. Keep a close eye on what’s happened throughout the day. But, later this week…there may be showers.

Below are details and links that might be helpful to those concerned about the South Fork Complex.

There are no closed major roads.

There is a forest closure order. Hunters and other folks who want to visit the area be aware. See here for the closure order. See Map of area here.