Single Publication

River Complex Fire Update

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Etna, Calif, — With an increase in fire activity expected today, firefighters will focus on structure defense plans, and constructing and improving fire lines throughout the River Complex fire area.  Firefighters will focus suppression efforts on critical areas of the River Complex, especially in communities threatened by the fire. Night shift crews reported moderate fire behavior across the River Complex Wednesday evening.

Weather:  Breezy and dry weather continues Thursday, resulting in another elevated fire weather day. Clear skies will allow more sunshine to reach the surface, which will result in better heating and smoke ventilation across the River Complex. Breezy winds at ridgetop will gust 15 to 20 mph during the afternoon, with terrain-driven winds in the steeper drainages.

Today:  

·       Contain fire to the south side of the Cecilville/Callahan Road on the north side of the Haypress

·       Monitor and implement structure defense plans in communities threated by the fire

·       Continue mop up and patrol of existing control lines, monitor for spot fires and slop-overs on all River Complex fires.

·       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 progressing towards communities.

·       All fires within the River Complex are being managed under a full suppression tactics plan.

Fire Behavior:

Haypress Fire: Breezy conditions caused active fire behavior along the Cecilville/Calahan Road on the west side of the Haypress. Tree torching with short range spotting occurred, with several small spot fires igniting across the road. The Haypress fire was also active around the structures of Summerville and west Coffee Creek Road. The eastern flank of the Haypress continued burn actively in the area of Long Gulch Dip.

Summer Fire: Fire activity will be focused in the areas west of Cecil Creek and on the upper elevations on the very south end of the fire.

Cronan Fires: Fire is backing into Big Creek and progressing up Olsen Creek towards the control line on Yellow Jacket Ridge Road.

Fire Statistics: Total complex 64,314 acres, 10% Containment

Haypress Fire: 44,376 acres, 3% Contained

Summer Fire: 16,611 acres, 2% Contained

Cronan Fire: 3,290 acres, 18% Contained

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

An evacuation order means there is 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 and/or property.  Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now.

Road Closures: 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.  Trinity County has closed Coffee Creek Road west of Sugar Pine Trailhead.

Forest Closures:  The Shasta-Trinity, Klamath and Six Rivers National Forests have issued an order 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.

Resources:

806 Personnel

16 Hand Crews

7 Helicopters

38 Engines

8 Dozers

11 Water Tenders

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