Single Publication

Start Date: Aug 15, 2023

Location: Six Rivers National Forest

Cause: Lightning

Acres: 85,429

Containment: 19 percent

Personnel: 2,642

Current Situation: Sunday was an opportune day for crews working in all areas around the South Zone. They took advantage of recent widespread moisture to create and improve dozer lines, hold and monitor past firing operations, and plan and prepare for potential firing operations later this week. On the northwest side of the fire, Southwest Area Team 2 Operations Supervisors are working closely with their North Zone counterparts on Pacific Northwest Team 13 to develop a unified fire-suppression strategy. Crews in Gasquet are dismantling excess structure-protection equipment while leaving adequate equipment and supplies for continued community protection. Initial attack crews are available to quickly respond to new fires. Firefighters are patrolling and monitoring the fire perimeter overnight. Helicopters and UAS assigned to the incident are assisting firefighters by conducting reconnaissance missions and using infrared technology to assist with locating hotspots within the fire perimeter.

Weather and Fire Behavior: The weather system responsible for recent rain has shifted eastward. Clear skies, westerly winds, and gradually increasing temperatures and decreasing humidity levels will persist throughout the week. However, the potential for significant fire behavior and growth remains low because large vegetation and woody debris will retain some residual moisture.

Smoke and Air Quality: Smoke production is expected to remain minimal on Monday. A daily Smoke Outlook produced by the US Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program is available here: tinyurl.com/3az2xr8y.

Closures: US-199 is now OPEN to all traffic. However, an 8-mile segment—currently between Sandy Beach (near milepost 21) and Knopke Creek (near milepost 29)—has one-way, piloted traffic control. Delays of 20 to 40 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 for the following areas:

·   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

View the interactive evacuation map online for the most current evacuations: tinyurl.com/yp3d99sr. Sign up with the Del Norte County Community Alert System to receive emergency notifications via land line, cell phone text, or email: tinyurl.com/9sxkzttn.

2023.SmithRiverComplex@firenet.gov (North and South Zones)

Phone: 707-383-9727 (South Zone)  

Facebook: facebook.com/SixRiversNF