Single Publication

River Complex Fire Update
Sunday, August 22, 2021

Etna, CA — Fire crews took advantage of favorable weather conditions overnight, continuing firing operations along control lines and mop-up operations where appropriate. Fire crews will continue these operations today, as favorable weather and decreased fire activity will remain over the River Complex.  Fire behavior was moderate overnight with creeping, backing, and occasional uphill runs.  Fire crews will continue to implement structure defense plans throughout the day in fire-threatened areas.

Weather:  Smokey conditions will persist across the River Complex, which will help to moderate fire weather conditions, much like Saturday. Smoke keeps temperatures cooler, humidity slightly higher, and winds light. Afternoon clearing will bring a slight chance of elevated fire behavior into the early evening. Smoke will settle back over the fire area Sunday night, with areas of smoke persisting on Monday. Dry and warmer weather is forecast for next week.

Today:  

• Monitor and implement structure defense plans in communities threatened by the fire.
• Continue mop-up and patrol of existing control lines, monitor for spot fires and slop-overs on all River Complex fires.
• Construct and improve fire lines in all divisions where conditions allow and personnel and equipment are available.
• Conduct firing operations where feasible to strengthen containment lines and remove available fuels for the fire to consume.
• Continue direct and indirect line construction and firing operations on the north side of the Summer and the south side of the Haypress to keep the fire from moving towards communities.
• All fires within the River Complex are being managed under a full suppression tactics plan.

 Fire Behavior:

Haypress:  The Haypress fire will continue to back slowly off the hill north of Fish Lake towards the Cecilville/Callahan Road near Dark Gulch. The main potential for growth will be along the Upper Coffee Creek Road near the Three Sisters Gulch. The afternoon westerly winds, slope, and fuel will all be aligned to push fire uphill towards the northeast above Deacon Creek.

Summer Fire: Growth on the Summer fire is anticipated on the southeast flank as the fire backs towards the North Fork Trinity River. Fire crews will continue to utilize an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) drone to assist with firing operations along the 16 road to the Cecilville/Callahan Road.
 

Cronan Fire:  The Cronan Fire will continue to progress to the west as fire crews limit the fire intensity along the Yellow Jacket Ridge with a strategic firing operation. Hot rolling materials on steep slopes continue to be a concern in this area. Fire crews will continue to patrol the Sawyers Bar Road area for spot fires and rolling material over planned control lines.

Fire Statistics: Total complex 85,257 acres, 10% containment

Haypress Fire: 59,108, 3% containment (updated acreage due to more accurate mapping)

Summer Fire: 20,500 acres, 2% containment

Cronan Fire: 5,612 acres, 18% containment

Multiple other smaller fires (37 total acres) make up the total River Complex acres with a total of 2% containment.  All other fires are either out or in patrol status.

Evacuations: 

Evacuation Order: Cecilville, Summerville, Petersburg, and Coffee Creek Road past Sugar Pine Trailhead in Trinity County.

Evacuation Warning: Sawyers Bar, Coffee Creek, Trinity Center

An evacuation order means there is an immediate threat to life and is a lawful order to leave immediately.  The area is closed to public access. An evacuation warning means there is a potential threat to life or property.  Those who require additional time to evacuate and those with pets and livestock should leave now.

Road Closures: Trinity County has issued a hard closure of Coffee Creek Road at North Fork Trailhead west of Hwy 3. The Callahan-Cecilville Road is closed from approximately one mile west of the community of Callahan to Cecilville.  The Sawyers Bar Road is closed from Forks of Salmon to Forest Road 40N51. 

Forest Closures:  The Shasta-Trinity, Klamath, and Six Rivers National Forests have ordered closing the Trinity Alps Wilderness through November 15, 2021.  Trails and recreational areas are all closed. The Klamath and Six Rivers National Forests have closed the Marble Mountain and Russian Wildernesses and the forest within the Salmon/Scott River Ranger District.  All roads, trails, and recreation areas are closed to the public through September 15, 2021.  For information on Northern CA Forest Closures, visit: https://go.usa.gov/xF7EM

Resources:

• 680 Personnel
• 15 Crews
• 9 Helicopters
• 39 Engines
• 7 Dozers
• 18 Water Tenders
• 2 Masticators

Smoke Report:  https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/NorthernCalifornia