Single Publication

SMITH RIVER COMPLEX—SOUTH Incident Update
Date: 9/16/23

Location: Six Rivers National Forest
Size: acres 90,294
Percent Contained: 51%
Cause: Lightning
Start Date: Tuesday, August 15, 2023, 6:01 PM
Vegetation: Timber (Litter and Understory) and Brush
Number of Personnel Assigned: 1,677

ANNOUNCEMENT: Effective today Six Rivers National Forest is reducing the forest closure order for 
the Gasquet, Lower Trinity, and Mad River Ranger Districts. The following Day Use Areas are open 
for public access: The Forks’ Boat Launch; Myrtle Beach River Access; and Margie’s River Access. 
The Mad River Ranger District office will remain open this weekend, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 
closed for lunch at noon. For more information, visit: 
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1139169.pdf. 

CURRENT SITUATION: Fire crews focused on conducting fire suppression operations yesterday around 
the fire’s boundary. Crews mopped up burned areas near or around control lines, reinforced existing 
fire control lines, and checked for heat to detect any remaining fire in burned areas. On the 
fire’s east side near Idlewild, down to Washington Flat and Little Jones Creek, crews continued 
strategic firing operations through the night and are checking the area for remaining heat. On the 
Hurdy Gurdy Fire crews continue conducting strategic firing operations on the northwest side and 
mopping up the lower southern end. Crews completed a shaded fuel break near Table Mountain and are 
conducting hazard tree abatement along the fire line. On the southwestern side, near Coon Creek, 
crews are actively patrolling the area and mopping up as needed. In Stoney Creek, north of Gasquet, 
crews and helicopters continue suppressing areas of heat to prevent fire progression. On the 
western side active fire remains in steep and hard to access terrain. Helicopter water drops are 
being used for fire suppression all around the active fireline. Going into the weekend fire 
behavior is remaining minimal for much of the fire due to smoke inversion with some areas of 
moderate behavior.

WEATHER: Conditions remain unseasonably warm and dry with very light winds. Expect smoke to hang in 
the valleys with a shallow inversion and poor visibility. Fuels will be dry and receptive.

EVACUATIONS: Some Del Norte County evacuation zones remain under either a Level 2 (Get Set) or 
Level 1 (Get Ready) evacuation order. View the interactive evacuation map online: 
tinyurl.com/29vv2wpm..

AIR QUALITY: Smoke Outlooks with air quality and forecast information are available here: 
tinyurl.com/258mfms3.

CLOSURES: US 199 in Del Norte County will be 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 Madrona 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, trails, and recreation sites in the vicinity of the 
complex are closed 6). View the Order and closure map on the Forest’s website: tinyurl.com/4atens8c.