Single Publication

Fire Update

2023 SRF Lightning Complex 

Sunday, October 8, 2023 – 8:00 A.M.

California Interagency Incident Management Team 16

John Goss, Incident Commander

Information Phone: 530-618-3339

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 49,784 acres and overall containment is 75%. In total, 390 personnel are assigned to the incident. A storm system with wetting rain is expected to impact the Complex Monday. Firefighters prepare to respond to any need for service and take advantage of the window of opportunity the cooler weather will provide in fully containing the fire. 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. The mowing and the mastication work taking place across the fire is nearing completion. On the Pearch Fire, the process of backhauling pumps and hoses from locations where they are no longer needed has been completed. Hazard tree removal, chipping, grading, road repair, and suppression repair remains a high priority.

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 moderate over the next few days, due to wet conditions and precipitation predicted for the fire area. Tactical patrol of the fire’s edge ensures that it remains in the existing footprint. 

Pearch Fire (12,146 acres, 68% contained) – The Pearch Fire remains in Patrol status with very limited activity as mop up continues. Firefighters have completed all backhaul and suppression repair on this incident. Small pockets of smoke are being generated near the Salmon River, but they are no threat to the line.

Mosquito Fire (33,781 acres, 68% contained) –Suppression repair efforts are complete on the northeastern edge of the fire near the Dillon Mountain and Sidewinder Road. Beans Ridge repair efforts are ongoing. Increased fire activity due to warmer temperatures was observed near Dillon Mountain and Lightning Ridge yesterday, but they were well within the existing containment lines. The Slate Creek mastication and chipping project was completed. Patrol along the western edge ensures the fire stays within the existing footprint.

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: Clouds will begin to increase across the area on Sunday as moisture in the middle and upper levels of the atmosphere increase ahead of the storm system set to impact the fire beginning Monday. The primary change will be increasing clouds which will keep temperatures a few degrees cooler, and humidity values a few points higher as compared to Saturday. Overnight Sunday into Monday, a front will approach the area with a band of rain expected to begin across western portions of the fire around sunrise. Precipitation will spread eastward across the remainder of the fire and ICP. Generally, accumulations will range from one-half to one inch on Monday with locally higher amounts possible over favored aspects.

Please stay informed and exercise caution in the affected areas and be aware that rain and wet conditions may lead to ongoing weather-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 .