Single Publication

South Fork Complex Update
Tuesday, September 5, 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:          2,840 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

3,929 acres and 65% overall containment for the South Fork Complex

A total of 739 personnel, crews, air support, engines, dozers, and water tenders support the incident.

Evacuation Update: As of 8:00 a.m. this morning, all evacuation warnings in Humboldt and Trinity counties have been lifted.

3-9 Fire - Fire behavior and spread potential will continue to be mostly low today, with creeping and smoldering in heavy fuels and stump holes and occasional flaming. Crews will continue to be alert for increased fire behavior potential in the coming days as fuels dry. Firefighters took advantage of the fair weather yesterday to construct and improve control lines and go as direct as possible. In the area east of Torrey Corrals, crews were able to tie in hand line to completed dozer line. Terrain is steep and rugged in this area, but they will continue to take advantage of opportunities to go direct where it is safe to do so. Hotshot crews increased control line depth along the 03N06 road and removed snags posing a hazard to firefighter safety. They were able to tie in hand line along the southern perimeter to the creek north of Henry Ridge, and they will continue to evaluate ways of tying in hand line with completed dozer line west of the Berry-Summit-Mad River Road (Route 1). Along the eastern flank of the fire, crews continued to make progress chipping and stacking hazard trees in order make it possible for dozers and hand crews to get closer to the fire’s edge. They were also able to mop up and install hose in some areas. Along the northern portion of the fire, firefighters systematically looked for areas of remaining heat and increased depth of containment line to secure the fire’s edge. Helicopters were able to support fire suppression efforts with bucket drops yesterday with support continuing today as weather allows.

The Pilot Fire is 100% contained. Crews continue to mop up remaining areas with heat along dozer lines and in stump holes in the interior. They will continue to patrol the fire perimeter to ensure that the fire remains within the containment lines.

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

Weather: Morning fog is expected to lift by 11:00 a.m. and the rest of the day is expected to be sunny with maximum temperatures of 68-73 ºF and minimum relative humidities of 40-45%. Northwest winds are predicted to be 6-10 mph with gusts up to 15 mph.

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.