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CURRENT SITUATION: Minimal fire behavior with no new growth on the fire over the past several days. Sunny skies and northeast winds have resulted in dryer conditions, but with warmer weather, smoke has become visible once again. A firefighting UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) with infrared capabilities flew the Hurdy Gurdy fire and the east end of the main fire near Bear Basin where smoke was visible within the interior of both fires. Crews drove the south end of the main fire and saw minimal fire activity. Crews will continue to monitor the fire from the ground and air as the fire areas dry out and accessibility improves.

Suppression repair continues on the fire. Waterbars are being constructed near primary containment lines to prepare for the rainy season. Machine work and hazard tree removal is occurring along the 17N49 road as well as south of US199 near Little Jones Rd (17N08) in preparation of chipping in the days to come. Near the Darlingtonia area, crews worked throughout the day completing 9 miles of chipping operations along the Old Gasquet Toll road. As the soil continues to dry out and containment increases, crews will identify additional target areas to complete suppression repair work.

WEATHER: Drier offshore flow will be the main weather highlight over the next two days. Temperatures will warm a few degrees each day. The valleys will range 65°- 70° with ridgetop temperatures 59°- 64°. Relative humidity will gradually decrease with values ranging from 35 - 45% in valleys to 40 - 50% along ridgetops. Northeasterly winds will ease in the afternoons before strengthening during the evening and overnight hours. Valley winds will be 5 - 12 mph and 6 - 15 mph along ridgetops. It will be gusty at times with gusts up to 30 mph on the ridgetops.

CLOSURES: While county roads remain open, Six Rivers National Forest lands, roads, and trails around the Smith River Complex fires are closed (Forest Order No. 10-23-09). View the Order and closure map on the Forest’s website: tinyurl.com/4atens8c.

US 199 in Del Norte County is fully closed twice daily, Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 11 AM and from 1 PM to 4 PM. During all open hours, traffic will be one-way and piloted between Grassy Flat Campground east of Gasquet and Oregon Mountain Road. Motorists should anticipate delays during all open hours. Caltrans provides information on current highway conditions online (roads.dot.ca.gov), by phone (800-427-7623), and on Facebook (facebook.com/CaltransD1).