Single Publication

Acres: 85,700

Containment: 19 percent

Cause: lightning

Start Date: Aug 15, 2023

Resources: 53 crews, 131 engines, 10 helicopters, 4 drones, 18 dozers, 20 masticators,

2 skid steer, 34 water tenders

Total Personnel: 2,338

CURRENT SITUATION

Firefighters have been implementing a plan for continued suppression of the Smith River Complex fires using the P.A.C.E. model. This process helps fire crews focus on the bigger picture, with multiple plans in place, preparing strategies to adapt to the changes in fire behavior. A vast amount of work is being done to implement the (P) primary plan of direct fire attack, where safe to do so, and indirect where it isn’t safe by building dozer and hand lines and utilizing roads and natural features as close to the fire as possible. Great progress has been made on the (A) alternate plan. Containment lines are being built, hose lays are in place and debris clearing has occurred. Strategic firing operations are planned to remove unburned fuels between the fire’s edge and control line. (C) Contingency lines continue to be built further away from the edge of the fire in the instance that fire burns across a fire line. Firefighters would then initiate defensive fire operations to fight fire with fire. (E) Emergency plans are an integral part of the strategic process, with firefighter and public safety always taking precedence. Using this strategic planning process, firefighters are prepared and ready to respond effectively as the weather changes and fire activity potentially increases.

FIRE BEHAVIOR AND WEATHER

Warmer and drier weather means an increase in active fire behavior. Previously unburned sections north of Hwy 199 are being impacted by smoldering and creeping fire and crews responded with water drops on Thursday. Expect increased activity as firefighters continue to address these areas of heat.

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). Six Rivers National Forest lands, roads, trails, and recreation sites in the vicinity of the complex are closed. The Closure map can be viewed on this Six River National Forest web page: tinyurl.com/4atens8c.

EVACUATIONS

Evacuation levels for the Rockland area were reduced from Level 3 to Level 2. The evacuation level for the Rowdy Creek/Low Divide evacuation zone has been lowered from Level 2 to Level 1. View the interactive evacuation map online for the most current information on evacuations: tinyurl.com/yp3d99sr.

AIR QUALITY

Increased smoke is likely today, especially in the Hwy 199 corridor. 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