Single Publication

Gasquet, Calif., August 18th, 2023 — The Six Rivers National Forest has received approximately 150 lightning strikes across the forest since Monday evening, resulting in at least 27 confirmed fires. Thus far, there are 12 confirmed fires on the Gasquet Ranger District with an estimated acreage of 7,593 acres. Local resources have been focusing on identifying the locations of the fires and triaging suppression efforts on those posing the highest risk to life and property. 

A community meeting will be held on Saturday August 19 at 6pm at the Del Norte County Fairgrounds in the Arts & Crafts building. The meeting will be available virtually via Facebook Live hosted by the Six Rivers National Forest Facebook page.

The fires are burning in extremely rugged terrain with limited access. A year of below average rainfall has the vegetation unseasonably dry, causing a high resistance to control. Despite these difficult conditions, ground and air resources have been engaged in full suppression efforts. 

Transition of the management of the Smith River Complex from the local unit to California Incident Management Team 15 occurred at 6:00 am this morning. The objectives of the incident will remain the same with the priority of focusing fire suppression efforts on the protection of the life and property being threatened by the 14 uncontrolled wildfires within the complex.

The weather pattern is forecasted to be like yesterdays. Seasonable conditions are expected with temperatures reaching approximately 90 degrees with minimum humidity around 30%. One possible change is the increase of wind speeds in the afternoon and evening hours as the weather pattern begins to shift. Dry and abundant fuels, extremely steep terrain, and resource shortages caused by the high number of recently ignited fires in northern California continue to challenge firefighting efforts.

Additional resources, including water dropping helicopters, are expected to arrive to the fire today and will be deployed along the Highway 199 corridor in an effort minimize the impact of the fires to critical infrastructure.

Evacuations

Evacuation orders have been placed by the Del Norte County Sheriff's Office, if you are in the area please sign up for their Community Alert System to receive emergency notifications. Evacuation levels as of 10:00 am, today August 18 are as follows:

Level 3 “Go Now”: Patrick Creek, Little Jones Creek, Copper Creek Drainage, Coon Creek/ 16n19 17n07, Washington Flat, Pioneer Road, Panther Flat Campground Area

Level 2 “Be Set”: High Divide, Rowdy Creek, Gasquet from Pioneer Road to Slant Bridge

Level 1 “Be Ready”: French Hill, Big Flat/Rock Creek, Low Divide, Hiouchi from Slant Bridge to the east end of North Bank Road

Closures

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 fully closed in Del Norte County from Pioneer Road to Oregon Mountain Road (PM 16 to 31) due to the fires. The road is expected to be closed through the night, and there is no estimated time of reopening. 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

U.S. Forest Service campgrounds in the area are closed, this includes Patrick Creek, Grassy Flat, Panther Flat, and Big Flat Campgrounds.

The American Red Cross has opened a shelter at the Del Norte County Fairgrounds (421 US-101 N, Crescent City, CA 95531) for those who are impacted. Red Cross disaster workers are partnering with local officials to help ensure evacuees get the assistance they need and will be providing meals and snacks, access to comfort kits and other supplies.