Single Publication

South Fork Complex Update
Sunday, September 3, 2023

Fire Information: 530-638-2830, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Email: 2023.southforkcomplex@firenet.gov
Linktree: linktr.ee/southforkcomplex2023            

3-9 Fire:          2,868 acres with 35% containment              
Pellitreau Fire:    3 acres with 100% containment
Pilot Fire:        1,055 acres with 100% containment            
Sulphur Fire:      31 acres with 100% containment

3,957 total acres and 52% overall containment for the South Fork Complex

A total of 768 personnel, crews, air support, engines, dozers, and water tenders support the incident.

3-9 Fire With the wet weather Friday and Saturday, firefighters were able to evaluate opportunities to go direct on the fire due to the reduced fire activity. Dozers and hand crews were able to make good progress installing control lines along the northeastern perimeter in an area east of the Berry-Summit-Mad River Road (Route 1). Along this eastern flank, firefighters and heavy machinery worked to mitigate hazard trees so that firefighters can access the fire’s edge safely. Firefighters constructed hand line along the southern perimeter where difficult terrain prevents the use of heavy equipment while evaluating opportunities to go direct in the area east of Torrey Corrals. Crews worked diligently along the western flank strengthening existing control lines and mopping up smoldering material to secure the lines and increase containment. With warmer weather in the forecast, the lighter and smaller fuels will start to dry out and be susceptible to increased fire activity. As the ground dries out from the moisture received over the past few days, crews and equipment will work to make access deeper into the fire areas and continue building control lines to increase containment. Helicopters and air assets plan to assist ground crews with suppression efforts today as weather allows.

Pilot Fire is 100% contained. Crews have been monitoring the condition of the fire by walking the fire’s edge to ensure containment remains and there is no threat of rollout or escape.

The Pellitreau Fire and the Sulfur Fire are 100% contained. These fires remain in a patrol status with firefighters checking periodically that fire remains within the containment lines.

Weather: Morning fog then becoming partly cloudy with a 10% chance of scattered showers. A stray thunderstorm is possible in the afternoon. Maximum temperatures are expected to be 62-67 ºF, and minimum relative humidities are expected to be 50-55%. Northwest winds are predicted to be 6-10 mph with gusts up to 15 mph.

Evacuation Warning: In Humboldt County, an Evacuation Warning continues to be in place for Zone HUM-E114-A and Zone HUM E114-B. For more information go to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office website. In Trinity County, an Evacuation Warning continues to be in effect for Zone HYM-505 and Zone HYM-509. Please continue to check the Trinity County Wildfire and Evacuation website for up-to-date information.

Forest Closure: Forest Closure orders for the South Fork Complex Fire continue to be in effect and are posted on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and the Six Rivers National Forest websites. Please avoid closed areas.