Joint forest fire information center release for August 25, 2015 Morning
Release Date: Aug 25, 2015
Contact(s): Joint Information Center, Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Summary of Fires in Shasta-Trinity and Six Rivers National Forests
Incident/Complex |
Acres |
Percent Contained |
Personnel |
Crews |
Engines |
Heli |
Structures Lost |
Evacs |
Closures |
Fork Complex |
36,499 |
87 |
807 |
16 |
57 |
3 |
12 |
Yes |
Trails/Roads |
Gasquet Complex |
17,723 |
20 |
669 |
8 |
35 |
4 |
0 |
No |
Trails/Roads |
Mad River Complex |
36,055 |
54 |
400 |
5 |
37 |
5 |
4 |
Yes |
Roads |
Nickowitz Fire |
5,675 |
54 |
359 |
6 |
19 |
2 |
0 |
No |
|
River Complex |
54,975 |
24 |
584 |
7 |
31 |
3 |
0 |
Yes |
Roads |
Route Complex |
35,451 |
42 |
674 |
14 |
46 |
6 |
2 |
No |
Roads |
South Complex |
25,693 |
55 |
718 |
12 |
56 |
3 |
3 |
Yes |
Trails/Roads |
TOTALS |
212,071 |
|
4211 |
68 |
281 |
26 |
21 |
|
|
Summary:
Both forests have fires burning in wilderness areas. Wilderness fires require the use of a plan of action called MIST, Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics. Fire managers must select tactics, tools and equipment that least impact the environment, while still ensuring the actions taken are safe for firefighters and effective in suppression goals. For example, no motorized or mechanized equipment can be used for fire suppression in wilderness areas unless approved ahead of time.
Fire restrictions remain in effect on both forests. This means campfires are permitted only in approved campgrounds. Campfire permits are required. For more information about fire restrictions on the Six Rivers National Forest, refer to: http://1.usa.gov/1Jwziqy For fire restrictions on the Shasta-Trinity, visit: http://1.usa.gov/1LjifdD.
The Shasta-Trinity National Forest has Forest Area Closures in place for the following fire areas: River, Fork, South, Route and Mad River Complexes (Closure 14-15-05 [all but River Complex] and 15-14-04 [River Complex]). The Six Rivers National Forest has issued area closures for the Gasquet Complex and Nickowitz Fire. There are also a number of road and trail closures on complexes within both forests. For specific descriptions and maps, refer to the specific incident page on Inciweb http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/state/5/ or visit the forests’websites at www.fs.usda.gov/stnf/ or www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/srnf/alerts-notices.
The Joint Information Center provides information for fires being managed on both the Shasta-Trinity and Six Rivers national forests. Information is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. by calling 530-628-0039.
Detailed fire information is available by calling the respective Incident Management Team’s information numbers below or on the Internet at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov. Smoke information is available at www.ncuaqmd.org or www.airnow.gov.
Fork and South Complexes
One Incident Management Team is handling the South and Fork Complexes.
Fork Complex (530) 324-5145 Acres: 36,499 Containment: 87% Personnel: 807
Fire activity on the Fork Complex continues to decrease as containment increases. Efforts remain concentrated on the Chanchelulla Wilderness area. Suppression repair has been initiated for most of the fires. Some smoke may be visible as pockets of unburned vegetation burn within the containment lines. Crews will continue to patrol and mop up along lines. Detailed evacuation, road closure, and other information is available at www.trinitycounty.org or http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4428.
South Complex (530) 628-0093 Acres: 25,693 Containment: 55% Personnel: 718
Last night the fire backed toward the South Fork of the Trinity River and Hayfork Creek. Firefighters patrolled the Lower South Fork Road near residences, and along the Bar 717 Ranch. Crews continued a strategic firing operation along Route 60 (FS 5N60) from the Springer area progressing south to FS Road 3N05. Today firefighters will continue the firing operation along Route 60 from FS Road 3N05 and progress toward Hayfork Creek. Air resources will be used to patrol for spot fires along Hayfork Creek where firefighters cannot safely hike. Detailed road closure, evacuation, and other information on the complex is available at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4428.
Gasquet Complex (707) 925-3172 Acres: 17,723 Containment: 20% Personnel: 669
On the Coon Fire last night, crews began a precautionary firing operation around Tollefson Ranch until weather conditions interrupted. Day shift will try to complete this action. A squad of firefighters are assessing options and clearing brush around the water supply line in the Deer Creek drainage. On the Bear Fire’s northwest perimeter, dozers and crews completed line to the South Fork of the Siskiyou River, which is being utilized as a containment line. The 16N05 Road is holding the fire to prevent spread to the west. Detailed information on the complex is available at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4444.
Route and Mad River Complex (707) 574-6539, (707) 574-6548
One Incident Management Team is managing both the Mad River and the Route Complexes.
Mad River Complex Acres: 36,055 Containment: 54% Personnel: 400
Fires on the Mad River Complex were tested by winds yesterday and containment lines held. On the west side of the Lassic Fire, wind pushed the fire hard and air resources helped to hold the lines. Crews will continue to provide structure protection today in the Rutledge area. They will also continue to prepare for firing operations on the south end. Detailed road closure, evacuation, and other information on the complex is available at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4436.
Route Complex Acres: 35,451 Containment: 42% Personnel: 674
Last night crews worked on the south/southwest corner of the fire. The remainder of the fireline is cool and holding. Patrolling will continue today in those areas, and crews are working with resource advisors on suppression repair. Fire crews are working to bring together the firelines from the east and west to close off the active southwest corner. Detailed information on the complex is available at:http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4447.
Nickowitz Fire (530) 627-3246 Acres: 5,675 Containment: 54% Personnel: 359
About three-quarters of a mile of new handline was built yesterday on the southwest flank of the fire. The western edge had high humidity that kept fire activity to a minimum. Suppression repair work was conducted on the north and east containment lines. Night shift operations have been reduced to patrol unless fire behavior dictates increased staffing. Today’s priority is to continue progress on handline from the southwest towards Bear Pen Flat. Another priority is to continue building line to keep up with the fire’s progression along Forest Road 13N01. Detailed information on the fire is available at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4466.
River Complex (530) 276-8559 Acres: 54,975 Containment: 24% Personnel: 584
South winds occurred over the fire area yesterday, increasing fire activity mainly inside the Trinity Alps Wilderness where an impressive smoke column approximately 15,000 feet high was observed. These winds were favorable and did not cause the fire to threaten existing containment lines. The winds also provided clear air which allowed helicopters to be flown throughout the day. This morning, the smoke inversion is once again light, which will provide good visibility allowing aircraft to fly early in the day. Yesterday, crews made steady progress along the west flank pulling fire hose out of the area in preparation for fire suppression repair work. Additional crews successfully constructed fire line along the fires edge in the northwest corner and along the southern flank. Helicopters were used to support crews on the ground throughout the day. One focus area yesterday was above the Brooks Ranch, outside the Trinity Alps Wilderness, where retardant was used to check the fire and protect this area. Firefighters worked throughout the night patrolling the area and holding fire along roads and existing containment lines. Priority areas today are the northwest corner of the fire, in the Horse Linto Creek area, and the southern flank of the fire, above Highway 299. Detailed road closure, evacuation, and other information on the complex is available at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4431.
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For a PDF version of this update, click here
For a PDF version of the Fork Complex update, click here
For a PDF version of the South Complex, click here
For a PDF version of the Gasquet Complex, click here
For a PDF version of the Route & Mad River Complex, click here
For a PDF version of the Nickowitz Fire, click here
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