Single Publication

Fire Update

2023 SRF Lightning Complex 

Wednesday, October 4, 2023 – 8:00 A.M.

California Interagency Incident Management Team 16

John Goss, Incident Commander

Information Phone: 530-536-0767

Email: 2023.lightningcomplex@firenet.gov 

Information Staffing Hours: 8 am to 8 pm

This update covers 6 of the 15 fires being managed as part of the SRF Lightning Complex. The Copper Fire (2184 acres) was absorbed by the Blue Creek #2 Fire. On September 22, 2023, the Bluff #1 Fire (4270 acres) and Blue Creek #2 Fire (9751 acres) were absorbed by the Mosquito Fire. The combination of Blue Creek #2 Fire, Bluff #1 Fire, and Mosquito Fire is now referred to as the Mosquito Fire. On September 30, 2023 we incorporated the management of the Hancock fire (1,728 acres, 100% contained). The remaining 6 fires (Big Foot, Blue Creek, Creek, Flat, Iron, and Merrill) totaling 34 acres, are contained and in patrol status. They are checked daily, and their size and containment remain unchanged. 

Current Situation:

The 15 fires on this incident total 49,437 acres and overall containment is 56%. In total, 420 personnel are assigned to the incident. A warming and drying trend continues across the Complex. Firefighters continue to diligently respond to and address additional heat as they pop up around the incident. This written incident update will be distributed every other day. If fire conditions necessitate this update will return to being distributed as often as necessary.

Crews continue to actively assess the conditions of the Pearch and Mosquito Fires. Prioritizing the safety of firefighters and the public is paramount, given that recent rainfall has heightened the risk of fire-weakened trees falling due to the saturation of soil. Continuous monitoring efforts have been extended to cover the remote Marlow Fire and the north side of the Mosquito Fire. Progress is steady on the mowing and mastication work taking place across many Divisions. On the Pearch Fire, the process of backhauling pumps and hoses from locations where they are no longer needed is ongoing. Hazard tree removal, chipping, and suppression repair is starting to ramp up.

Firefighters are closely monitoring the Highway 96 corridor and Salmon River Road for any signs of falling rocks, debris, or fire activity. Both CalTrans and Siskiyou County crews remain on standby to clear roadways if necessary. Fire activity is expected to increase throughout the week, due to warmer and dryer conditions. Smoke production will increase across areas affected by the fires over the next few days. Tactical patrol of the fires edge ensures the it remains in the existing footprint. 

Pearch Fire (12,126 acres, 44% contained) – Firefighters have completed all backhaul and suppression repair in Butler Creek and Butler Flat. Suppression repair was completed on Michael Rd. Along the fire’s western edge crews work to mop up, repair, and reinforce containment lines. Continued efforts will focus on packing up and backhauling pumps, hose, and other equipment.

Mosquito Fire (33,445 acres, 22% contained) – More heavy equipment has been assigned for mastication work and suppression repair. Falling crews are addressing hazard trees along the Go Road. On the east and west sides of the fire, crews continue to secure control lines, mop up and address hot spots near the line. With the increased temperatures smoke is expected to increase from heavy fuels burning in the interior they are not a threat to the fire line.

Marlow Fire (1,988 acres, 100% contained) – Minimal activity is reported on the Marlow Fire, which is in a remote area. The fire is contained by indirect control lines to the east and south, as well as prior fire footprints where fuels are less dense. No values or structures are currently threatened by the Marlow Fire.

Monument (2 acres, 100% contained), Let er-Buck (96 acres, 100% contained) and Hancock (1,729 acres, 100% contained) Fires – A confinement strategy has been employed for these three fires due to the limited values at risk and the challenging, remote, and steep terrain, which presents safety concerns for firefighters. Natural fire barriers such as rock outcroppings and old fire footprints with sparse fuels are being used to contain fire growth until the arrival of season-ending precipitation. Regular monitoring by air ensures that both fires remain within an acceptable perimeter, all are now considered 100% contained.

Weather: A ridge of high pressure will continue to build across the region resulting in a significant warming and drying trend. Valleys will see highs in the upper 80s to mid-90s while temperatures along the mid- Slopes and ridges will range from the lower 70s to lower 80s. Winds will start off breezy on Wednesday with sustained speeds of up to 20 mph with gusts approaching or exceeding 30 mph. Winds will slowly diminish by the end of the operational period. Lighter winds are expected on Thursday with speeds of 10 to 15 mph and gusts to 20 mph expected. Humidity will also decrease during this time. Excellent overnight recoveries are expected in the valleys but mid-slopes and ridges will only see moderate recovery to the mid-40s. Afternoon humidity values will range from the upper 20s to mid-30s over the mid-slopes and ridges and the upper teens to mid-20s in the valleys. No precipitation is expected.

Please stay informed and exercise caution in the affected areas and be aware that warmer and drier conditions may lead to ongoing fire-related challenges.

Evacuation Information

Siskiyou County Office of Emergency Services: https://www.co.siskiyou.ca.us/emergencyservices 

Closures

Six Rivers National Forest: Area and campground closures are in effect on portions of Six Rivers National Forest. They can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/srnf/notices/?cid=FSEPRD1096395. 

Additional Fire Information

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/casrf-2023-srf-lightning-complex-and-redwood-lightning-complex 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2023SRFRedwoodLightning

More Fire Information Links: www.linktr.ee/srffirepio 

For Air Quality Information: www.airnow.gov 

NOTE: For information about the Elliot Fire which is part of the

Happy Camp Complex, please visit https://linktr.ee/happycampcomplex2023 .