Single Publication

Gasquet, Calif., August 24, 2023 Fire behavior was relatively moderated with most of the perimeter growth occurring on the Kelly fire between the transmission corridor and Elk Camp Ridge Road. Additional activity was across highway 199, along the 411 road above Darlingtonia. The Coon fire continues to grow towards the Kelly fire, as it moves to the northwest between Coon and Gordon Creeks. Crews have gained a foot hold along the western portion of the Corral fire as they improve the 305 road and use it as a control feature moving south.

Today, forecasts are pointing to a dynamic weather day as fast-moving thunderstorms are predicted to be around the fire area in the afternoon and possibly overnight. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning Thursday for this hazard. The main risk of thunderstorms is they can cause gusty and erratic winds, greatly increasing fire behavior. Resources have been working hard to set up structure protection around the numerous neighborhoods in and around Gasquet. These preparedness measures include setting up large fold-a-tanks full of water, hoses, pumps and sprinkler systems. Heavy equipment has established dozer lines to the north of the town that will be used as the primary containment line as the fire moves south along the Stony Creek drainage.

Evacuations

All evacuation orders are issued by the Del Norte County Sheriff's Office. If you are in the Del Norte County, area please sign up for their Community Alert System to receive emergency notifications. Evacuation levels as of August 21, 8:00 a.m., as follows:

Level 3 “Go Now”: Low Divide at Highway 197 from mile marker 1 to mile marker 13.  Patrick Creek, Little Jones Creek, Copper Creek Drainage, Coon Creek/ 16n19 17n07, Washington Flat, Pioneer Road, Panther Flat Campground Area, all communities between Slant Bridge Road north to the Oregon Border along Highway 199, French Hill Road.

Level 2 “Be Set”: High Divide, Rowdy Creek, Big Flat/Rock Creek

Level 1 “Be Ready”: Hiouchi from Slant Bridge to the east end of North Bank Road

Closures

Highway 197 from mile marker 1 to mile marker 13. 

South Fork Road is open to residents only. Resident must provide proof of residency.

Howland Hill Road (Residents Only)

County road 316, Shelly Creek,

County Road 315 Holiday Mine

County Road 311 Old Gasquet Toll Road

County Road 305 Weimer Road

Forest Service Roads 16N19 and 17N07

U.S. Highway 199 is closed in Del Norte County from Slant Bridge Road to Oregon Mountain Road (PM 16 to 31) due to the fire activity.. A hard closure is in place on U.S. 199 at the Agriculture Station near the Oregon border. For the latest road conditions please visit quickmap.dot.ca.gov

Effective Sunday, August 20, 2023, the Six Rivers National Forest has issued a forest-wide closure order. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/srnf/notices/?cid=FSEPRD1096395

The American Red Cross has a shelter at the Del Norte County Fairgrounds (421 US-101 N, Crescent City, CA 95531) for those displaced by evacuations. Red Cross disaster workers are partnering with local officials to help ensure evacuees receive necessities, including food, water, and shelter.

More Information

Smith River Complex Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/casrf-smith-river-complex

Facebook Six River National Forest: https://www.facebook.com/SixRiversNF

Del Norte Office of Emergency Services: https://www.facebook.com/DelNorteOfficeOfEmergencyServices     

Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office: https://www.facebook.com/DelNorteCountySheriffDepartment

Smith River Complex North: https://www.facebook.com/smithrivercomplexnorth

Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest: https://www.facebook.com/R6RRSNF/

Josephine County Emergency Management: https://www.facebook.com/josephinecountyEM

Interactive evacuation maps located: https://rvem.org/