Single Publication

Fire Information: 530-618-3339

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Mon-Fri)

Email: 2023.lightningcomplex@firenet.gov

Incident Website: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/casrf-2023-srf-lightning-complex 

Vegetation: Timber (Litter and Understory) and Brush

Number of Personnel Assigned: 269

Start Date: Thursday, August 17, 2023, 1000

Location: Six Rivers National Forest

Size: 50,198 acres

Percent Contained: 75%

Cause: Lightning

ANNOUNCEMET: Some Six Rivers National Forest lands, roads, and trails around the SRF Lightning Complex fires are closed. View the Order and closure map on the Forest’s website: tinyurl.com/4atens8c. 

CURRENT SITUATION: The 15 fires are being held within the lines and total containment is at 75% with the total acres burned at 50,198. The fire growth yesterday was up on Dillon Mountain, and near Lightning Gulch. The wet conditions have been favorable in moderating the fire activity but create additional challenges. These challenges include making roads slicker and the fire more difficult to access. Crews remain vigilant and continue to assess the fire from the ground and air as the fire areas dry out and accessibility improves. 

Crews will continue with extensive suppression repair and road repair work. Chipping operations, scouting, and surveying is occurring across all Divisions. Positive attitudes, hard work and diligent focus by firefighters continues. Long hours spent by heavy equipment operators and crews on the ground ensure the ability to maintain the cultural and natural resources of the area. 

California Interagency Incident Management Team 16 will transition command of the incident to the North Coast Interagency Incident Management Team today. This written update will distributed every other day. If fire conditions necessitate this update will return to being distributed as often as necessary.

WEATHER: Another round of rain will impact the fire area Tuesday into early Wednesday. Additional accumulations will generally be between one-half and one inch. Temperatures on both days will remain well below normal. High temperatures in the valleys will be in the 60s while temperatures on the mid-slopes and ridges will range from the mid-40s to lower 50s. Winds will be out of the southwest Tuesday with gusts of 25 to 30 mph along the ridges and exposed areas. On Wednesday, winds will shift to the northwest at between 15 to 20 mph. Humidity values will remain high throughout the period. 

CLOSURES: While county roads remain open, some Six Rivers National Forest lands, roads, and trails around the Smith River Complex fires are closed (Forest Order No. 10-23-12). View the Order and closure map on the Forest’s website: tinyurl.com/4atens8c. Caltrans provides information on current highway conditions online (roads.dot.ca.gov), by phone (800-427-7623), and on Facebook (facebook.com/CaltransD1).