Single Publication

CURRENT SITUATION: A powerful storm is expected late tonight and into Monday evening. This storm is expected to bring heavy rains and wind. A wind advisory has been issued from Sunday 8pm to Monday 8am. These winds are expected to reach up to 25 mph with 50 mph gusts. A flood watch has also been issued from 5pm Sunday to 11pm Monday with a potential of 2 to 4 inches in the ridgetops and 2 inches in the valleys. The excessive runoff may result in the flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and mud slides. 

With the continued cool weather, there has been limited fire activity throughout the entire fire footprint allowing firefighters to prepare for the storm. On the US199, in the Washington Flat area, crews continue to patrol and there is ongoing mop up. On the east side from Washington Flats to the south crews are patrolling the perimeter of the fire. Around the southwest area, near Coon Creek, firefighters are going direct and securing the existing handline due to the limited fire behavior. Suppression repair is occurring in the northwest area from Gasquet up to the north. This repair will restore the fire lines back to their natural condition. On the Hurdy Gurdy, crews are attending to hot spots, going direct and indirect when possible and patrolling is ongoing.   

Across the fire footprint, backhauling is taking place, “which is the removal of supplies and equipment from the fireline in areas where the fire is cold”. This is done to prevent any further damage to the forest in preparation for rain that is expected later today. 

WEATHER:  

***Wind Advisory in Effect From 3pm Sunday – 7pm Monday & Flood Watch in Effect From 5am to 11pm Monday*** 

A robust and moist Pacific storm system will move across the region through Monday. Moisture off the Pacific will deliver between 1.5 to 3.0 inches of rain over a 48–60-hour period. Periods of heavy rain will increase the potential of debris, rockslides and flooding. Valley temperatures 56-61°, Ridgetops 53-56°, Valley relative humidity 53-60%, Ridgetops 59-68%. Ridgetop winds will be out of the south/southeast 8-15 mph in the morning increasing to 16-24 mph in the afternoon with gusts up to 50mph. 

EVACUATIONS: Big Flat/Rock Creek is under a Level 2 (Get Set) evacuation order. For continuous updates view the interactive evacuation map online: tinyurl.com/29vv2wpm. 

AIR QUALITY: A smoke outlook with air quality and forecast information is available here: tinyurl.com/yb29zy6f.  

CLOSURES: 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). 

Six Rivers National Forest lands, roads, and trails around the Smith River Complex fires are closed (Forest Order No. 10-23-08). View the Order, closure map, and day use exceptions on the Forest’s website: tinyurl.com/4atens8c.