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CURRENT SITUATION: Due to hard work from firefighters and more accurate reporting, containment has increased to 90% and the total acres burned rose by 87 for a total of 94,693.  Cooler temperatures and light rain yesterday and overnight helped firefighters increase the containment.  The weather will be getting warmer and drier through Saturday and firefighters remain vigilant as winds will increase. Yesterday, a firefighting UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) with infrared capabilities flew the fire and picked up some hot spots.  Heat signature information was relayed to firefighting crews and they extinguished those hot spots and interior smokes. The eastern edge of the Hurdy Gurdy Fire is now completely contained.  Crews will continue to assess the fire from the ground and air as the fire areas dry out and accessibility improves.  There has been no reported firefighter injuries or illnesses for many days.

Extensive suppression repair and hazard abatement continues on the fire. Water bars 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).  Major chipping operations continue in this area.  Yesterday, crews made great progress with suppression repair work in Gasquet (17N69), Steven’s and Smith River areas.  As the soil continues to dry out and containment increases, crews will identify additional target areas to complete suppression repair work. Positive attitudes, hard work and diligent focus by firefighters continues on day 52 of this fire. 

WEATHER: Drier, breezing and warmer weather will be occurring through Saturday with rain expected at the beginning of next week.  Temperatures will warm throughout the week.  Northeasterly winds will increase with gusts of 30-35 mph. Firefighters will feel the continued warming and drying conditions as a result of offshore flow for the next four to five days.  There is increasing chances of widespread precipitation early Monday morning and into next week. 

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).