Update / Wildfires: South Fork Complex, Smith River Complex update

The following information about the Smith River Complex Fire has been provided by the U.S. Forest Service.

Fire resources were prepared for increased fire activity due to the expected increase in afternoon westerly winds.

Although the winds did arrive with gusts up to 20 mph on the upper elevations, an increase in moisture helped limit overall fire activity.

Firefighters spent the day using hose lays to apply water to the containment lines north of Gasquet, near Pioneer Road, and along the containment line recently burned out south of Highway 199 to the French Hill Road. These lines continue to hold and the threat of fire reaching Gasquet continues to decrease each day.

Smoke has cleared and aviation resources are hard at work reinforcing suppression efforts west and south of Gilligan Butte.

Another focus has been to fall hazard trees and work hot areas along Highway 199 to expedite the opening of the critical road system.

Firefighters also focused efforts in the area where the Kelly fire and Coon fire are close to connecting near the 405 road. Several days ago, the Coon fire made a small run adjacent to Gordon Creek and challenged this line. Holding the fire on the west side of the 405 road was challenging due to stronger westerly winds, but firefighters have been successful thus far.

Winds have begun to shift to more of an offshore direction today and are expected to remain out of the northeast through tonight. This will bring a period of near critical fire weather conditions today through the evening hours, especially in the areas of the fire over 2,500’ elevation where the stronger winds are predicted.

Firefighters will be on high alert today during these critical weather conditions in anticipation of increased fire activity. These adverse conditions will quickly moderate as conditions become more favorable by tomorrow morning. The potential for light rain increases by Thursday night, along with clouds and onshore flow as an upper-level Pacific Northwest trough enters the area and lingers into Saturday.

Evacuations

Public Fire Information

Background

All evacuation orders are issued by the Del Norte County Sheriff's Office. If you are in the Del Norte County, area please sign up for their Community Alert System to receive emergency notifications. Evacuation levels as of August 27, 8 a.m., as follows:

Level 3 “Go Now”: Patrick Creek, Little Jones Creek, Copper Creek Drainage, Coon Creek/ 16n19 17n07, Washington Flat, Pioneer Road, Panther Flat Campground Area, all communities between Slant Bridge Road north to the Oregon Border along Highway 199, French Hill Road.

Level 2 “Be Set”: Low Divide, High Divide, Rowdy Creek, Big Flat/Rock Creek Level 1 “Be Ready”: Hiouchi from Slant Bridge to the east end of North Bank

Road Closures

U.S. Highway 199 is closed in Del Norte County from Slant Bridge Road to Oregon Mountain Road (PM 16 to 31) due to the fire activity. A hard closure is in place on U.S. 199 at the Agriculture Station near the Oregon border. For the latest road conditions please visit quickmap.dot.ca.gov

Effective Sunday, August 20, 2023, the Six Rivers National Forest has issued a forest-wide closure order.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/srnf/notices/?cid=FSEPRD1096395

The American Red Cross has a shelter at the Del Norte County Fairgrounds (421 US-101 N, Crescent City, CA 95531) for those displaced by evacuations. Red Cross disaster workers are partnering with local officials to help ensure evacuees receive necessities, including food, water, and shelter.

More Information

Smith River Complex Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/casrf-smith-river-complex

Facebook

Six River National Forest: https://www.facebook.com/SixRiversNF

Del Norte Office of Emergency Services: https://www.facebook.com/DelNorteOfficeOfEmergencyServices Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office: https://www.facebook.com/DelNorteCountySheriffDepartment

Smith River Complex North: https://www.facebook.com/smithrivercomplexnorth

Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest: https://www.facebook.com/R6RRSNF/

Josephine County Emergency Management: https://www.facebook.com/josephinecountyEM For an interactive evacuation map please visit: https://rvem.org/.

The U.S. Forest Service has provided the following information concerning the South Fork Complex Fire.

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.

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

45% overall containment for the Complex

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.

The Pellitreau Fire and the Sulfur Fire are 100% contained. Firefighters will continue to monitor and patrol to ensure fire remains within the containment lines.

Weather: Maximum temperatures are expected to be 60-65 ºF. Minimum relative humidities are expected to be 26-28%. North-northwest winds are expected to be 10-15 mph throughout the day with gusts of 30 mph.

Evacuation Warning:

An Evacuation Warning has been issued for Zone HUM E 114 A, north of Henry Ridge and east of the Mad River. An Evacuation Warning for Zone HUM E 114 B, south of Henry Ridge, north and east of the Mad River. Please note: Zone HUM E 114 has been split into three zones A, B, and C. For more information go to humboldtsheriff.org/emergency. Or call 707-268-2500. All previous Evacuation Warnings surrounding the South Fork Complex remain in effect.

Please continue to check the Trinity County Wildfire and Evacuation site for up-to-date status and locations: Trinity County Wildfire and Evacuation Map.

Forest Closure: There are new Forest Closure orders for the South Fork Complex Fire that have been posted on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest website home page and on the Six Rivers National Forest (click on Forest Closures). Please avoid the closed areas

View our 8/30/23 E-Edition here!

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