Single Publication

Acres: 85,882

Containment: 20 percent

Cause: lightning

Start Date: Aug 15, 2023

Resources: 48 crews, 98 engines, 10 helicopters, 4 drones, 16 dozers, 19 masticators,

2 skid steers, 30 water tenders

Total Personnel: 2,012

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

· Pacific Power anticipates restoring residential power in a phased approach Sunday (more information: tinyurl.com/4rtjvh2f).

· A news release (tinyurl.com/566bne22) has been issued regarding a recent fuel mix-up at the Gasquet Base Camp involving 42 vehicles.

CURRENT SITUATION: On Saturday, in close coordination with Caltrans and California Highway Patrol, the Fulton Hotshots initiated low-intensity burning operations in three locations along US Highway 199 where the Kelly Fire has been gradually spreading in pockets of unburned trees within the fire perimeter. Starting upslope from the highway, hand crews used drip torches and UAS (aka drones) to ignite narrow strips across the hillside, gradually working their way downslope—a method that reduces the likelihood of the fire building intensity and causing undesired tree mortality. The project will likely continue for one to two more days. The highway is open, but traffic is reduced to one lane (see Closures below). Along the fire’s southern perimeter, many days of minimal fire activity allowed firefighters to scout and reassess their options for accessing the fire’s edge to suppress hotspots. In most places, the original assessment that the area is too unsafe was confirmed: the indirect suppression tactic is the best option for containing the fire. Crews on the fire’s east side, where it is drier, had a short window of time to burn and secure 300 feet of fireline and expect to have similar opportunities moving forward if weather conditions remain favorable.  

FIRE BEHAVIOR AND WEATHER: Six days of warm, dry, full-sun weather resulted in moderate fire behavior and smoke production Saturday. Stumps and logs that were previously smoldering are now more actively burning. Firefighters also observed occasional single-tree torching within the fire perimeter. However, in the areas crews have prepared for burning operations, the vegetation near the ground remains too moist to adequately facilitate low-intensity fire spread. Overnight, a significant marine layer pushed inland, increasing humidity levels at lower elevations but not affecting the moisture of the vegetation at higher elevations where crews are most likely to have favorable conditions for firing operations. No rain is expected for at least ten days and winds will remain generally light and westerly.

CLOSURES: Highway 199 is open; however, piloted traffic is reduced to one lane where crews are conducting firing operations, cutting hazard trees, and repairing the fire-damaged roadway between Sandy Beach (near milepost 21) and Oregon Mountain Road (near milepost 31). Expect lengthy delays.

Six Rivers National Forest lands, roads, trails, and recreation sites in the vicinity of the complex are closed (Forest Order No. 10-23-06). View the Order and closure map on the Forest’s website: tinyurl.com/4atens8c.

EVACUATIONS: An interactive evacuation map is available here: tinyurl.com/yp3d99sr.

AIR QUALITY: A daily Smoke Outlook with current and expected air-quality information is available here: tinyurl.com/yb29zy6f. Smoke from firing operations on the Lightning Complex may drift northward to our area.

FIRE INFORMATION: 

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

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

Facebook: facebook.com/SixRiversNF