Single Publication

Acres: 85,543

Containment: 19 percent

Cause: lightning

Start Date: Aug 15, 2023

Resources: 60 crews, 142 engines, 10 helicopters, 4 drones, 18 dozers, 22 masticators,

2 skid steer, 36 water tenders

Total Personnel: 2,577

CURRENT SITUATION

Progress continues on the Smith River Complex, with crews and heavy equipment such as bulldozers working on containment line around a significant portion of the fire perimeter; completing fire control line on the fires edge, when safe to do so, and taking advantage of roads and natural features where the terrain is too steep and dangerous to insert firefighters otherwise. In several areas, crews are working on removing hazard trees, chipping undergrowth, and widening protection breaks along the perimeter of the fire. Helicopters assisted crews yesterday by completing water drops on various areas of heat on the interior, some of which are showing more intensity with our current weather. With this drying trend, several pockets of unburned areas within the of the fire’s circumference are causing a slight increase in acreage numbers. Overall fire expansion continues to be minimal.

FIRE BEHAVIOR AND WEATHER

In support of strategic planned firing operations to remove fuels between the fire edge and fire lines, our Fire Behavior Analysts’ and Incident Meteorologists’ attention has been directed to observing fire behavior changes as fuels continue to dry. Burn areas in higher elevations with southern and western exposure will be in full sun and have the potential for increased fire activity today.

CLOSURES

While Highway 199   is open to all traffic, expect travel delays of varying lengths. A one-way, piloted traffic control exists between Sandy Beach (near milepost 21) and Oregon Mountain Road (near milepost 31). The piloted segment will change as crews repair burned guardrails, clear rocks off the roadway, and remove hazard trees.

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

EVACUATIONS

Del Norte County Level 2 and Level 3 evacuation orders remain in effect for some areas. View the interactive evacuation map online for the most current information on evacuations: tinyurl.com/yp3d99sr.

AIR QUALITY

A daily Smoke Outlook with current and expected air-quality information is available here: tinyurl.com/yb29zy6f.

FIRE INFORMATION:    

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

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

Facebook: facebook.com/SixRiversNF.