Single Publication

 September 3, 2023 Smith River Complex- South Daily Update

Start Date: Aug 15, 2023

Location: Six Rivers National Forest

Cause: Lightning

Acres: 84,802

Containment: 12%

Personnel: 2,969

 Highlights: US-199 opened to all traffic on Saturday, September 2, 2023. Caltrans and CHP are piloting traffic between Patrick Creek and Oregon Mountain Road. Fire personnel, Caltrans, and construction crews are actively working along the road; continue to use caution and drive slowly. Be aware that fire operations are ongoing, the Smith River Complex is active, and conditions could change.

The Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Del Norte County Office of Emergency Services, lowered the evacuation level in the Oregon Mountain Road Area and the Sun Star Evacuation Zone to Level 2. Repopulation of these communities began on September 2.

An Interactive Evacuation Map is available to keep residents informed on current evacuation levels.

Operations: Fire behavior is expected to gradually increase in scale, duration, and intensity over the next several days. The most active growth potential is expected to be on the Coon Fire as is closes the gap to Forest Road 405 and along Bear Basin Road for the Kelly Fire. The Hurdy Gurdy Fire is expected to continue to progress toward Bear Basin Road, continue flanking west along Fox Ridge Road, and continue slowly backing downslope east toward the Smith River.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Minimal precipitation fell over the fire area Saturday night. A warming, drying trend will begin Sunday. Fire activity will gradually increase, but significant growth is not anticipated.

Smoke and Air Quality: Expect smoke where the fire has moved into burn scars from previous wildfires: Biscuit (2002), Bear and Coon (2015), Eclipse (2017), and Slater (2020). Air quality information is available at www.airnow.gov.

Safety: Del Norte Sheriff’s Office is asking residents to refrain from unnecessary travel. Local roads will be very active with firefighters and firefighting apparatus, especially between 6:30 AM and 8:30 AM.

Area and Road Closures: Closures will be adjusted based on fire activity. All county roads within the closure area remain closed and are patrolled by law enforcement.

Evacuations: Evacuation orders are issued by the Del Norte County Sheriff's Office. If you are in the Del Norte County area, please sign up for their Community Alert System to receive emergency notifications. Current evacuations are on the Interactive Evacuation Map.

LEVEL 3 : “Go Now”: Rockland

LEVEL 2: “Be Set”: Rowdy Creek/Low Divide, Gasquet, Big Flat/Rock Creek, Little Jones/Washington Flat Residential Areas, Patrick Creek Lodge, Oregon Mountain Road Area, Sun Star

LEVEL 1 :“BeReady” Hiouchi  

Fire Information: 2023.smithrivercomplex@firenet.gov

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SixRiversNF