Single Publication

Six Rivers National Forest Smith River Complex—South

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Acres: 85,501

Containment: 19 percent

Cause: lightning

Start Date: Aug 15, 2023

Resources: 57 crews, 171 engines, 10 helicopters, 4 drones, 18 dozers, 16 masticators,

6 skid steers, 37 water tenders

Total Personnel: 2,528

 Current Situation: Firefighters on an aerial reconnaissance mission Monday observed minimal smoke and hotspots on the west side of the Kelly Fire from the state line south to Gasquet. The southern portion of the fire had scattered areas of heat. On the fire’s eastern perimeter south of the Caltrans Idlewild Maintenance Station, most heat was limited to a burning stringer of timber where the fire is creeping downslope to the Siskiyou River.

Several days of minimal fire activity have allowed crews to refine a full-suppression plan that involves using both direct and indirect suppression tactics. Where it is safe to do so, crews have been and will continue to extinguish hotspots directly on the fire’s edge. Elsewhere, they must rely on an indirect suppression strategy, which involves using dozer lines, handlines, roads, rivers, and other natural features to contain the fire. Crews have been identifying and preparing those containment features—which are as close to the fire as possible—by masticating brush, installing hose and pumps, and widening roads and firelines. As weather conditions allow, they will conduct firing operations from the containment features toward the main fire. This indirect suppression strategy is necessary due to the unsafe, extremely steep, rugged terrain and long times required to transport personnel during emergencies.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Dry, breezy weather will continue through the week. New fires from last weekend’s lightning strikes may become apparent. The incident has an initial-attack crew that can quickly respond to new fires. No significant fire growth is expected on any fire in the Smith River Complex South on Tuesday.

Smoke and Air Quality: Low levels of smoke are expected until firing operations commence later this week. A daily Smoke Outlook that includes air quality information is available here: tinyurl.com/yb29zy6f.

Closures: US-199 is now OPEN to all traffic. However, an 11-mile segment—currently between Sandy Beach (near milepost 21) and Oregon Mountain Road (near milepost 31)—has one-way, piloted traffic control. Delays up to 45 minutes are possible. The piloted segment will expand or contract as crews repair the burned guardrails, clear rocks off the roadway, and remove hazard trees.

Six Rivers National Forest lands, roads, and trails surrounding the Complex are closed (Forest Order No. 10-23-06). The Order and closure map can be viewed on this Six River National Forest web page: tinyurl.com/4atens8c.

Evacuations: Evacuation orders issued by the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office remain in effect. View the interactive evacuation map online for the most current evacuations: tinyurl.com/yp3d99sr.

·   LEVEL 3, GO: Rockland

·   LEVEL 2, Get Set: Rowdy Creek/Low Divide, Gasquet, Big Flat/Rock Creek, Patricks Creek Lodge, Little Jones/Washington Flat Residential Areas, Oregon Mountain Road Area, Sun Star

·   LEVEL 1, Get Ready: Hiouchi

Fire Information:                                                                                                                

Email: 2023.SmithRiverComplex@firenet.gov (South and North)

Phones: 707-383-9727 (South), 541-801-3495 (North)

Facebook: facebook.com/SixRiversNF