Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Expands Closure Area on Slink Fire

Bridgeport, CA. September 6, 2020– Today on the Slink Fire, moderate fire behavior was predominant in the morning as smoke settled in the valley, causing low visibility in the area, and limited the ability to conduct aviation missions for the day. When this smoke shifted in the afternoon, with fire spread heavily influenced by fuels and terrain, we began to see increased fire behavior. Fire spread was active in concentrated timber stands where winds aligned with slopes. As with all wildfires, the Incident Management Team is using a range of firefighting tactics to suppress the fire. Firefighters and engines are securing the line on the eastern and southern edge of the fire to ensure that the communities of Coleville and Walker, as well as the State Highway Corridors, are secure. In addition, crews continued to secure the southern perimeter of the fire to reduce the impact to the Marine Corps Training Area.

The Carson–Iceberg Wilderness is a federal wilderness that encompasses 160,000 acres and was designated by the California Wilderness Act of 1984. This wilderness protects an area of High Sierra landscape with elevations from 4,800 feet to 11,462 feet, along the Sierra Mountains. The Humboldt-Toiyable National Forest and the Stanislaus National Forest manage this area. The wilderness supports large herds of mule deer and there is also good habitat for black bear. Another important species supported by both the Carson River and the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness is the Paiute Cutthroat Trout.  This trout is only native to Silver Spring Creek, which is a tributary of the Carson River’s east fork.  In keeping with one of the Slink Fire’s objectives, in coordination with Resource Advisors, extreme care is being taken to avoid all unnecessary disruptions to these critical habitats.  

An expanded closure order has been put in place by the US Forest Service for the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest due to the changing conditions of the Slink Fire.  To view the updated closure order, please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7105/55024/.  The previous closures, which may still be seen on the forest’s website, are superseded by the orders found on InciWeb.  The website will soon be updated as well.  Heenan Lake closures remain in place.  Again, we ask the public to remain out of these closure areas for their safety, as well as the safety of fire personnel. Additionally, the Bureau of Land Management issued a Closure Order for the fire area, for information please go to: https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-temporarily-closes-public-lands-support-slink-fire-suppression-efforts.

A Smoke Outlook is now being reported daily. The report will be posted to  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7105. Please utilize this report, smoke can be hazardous for children and people with breathing difficulties. In addition to the Slink Fire, multiple other fires in California have contributed to the dense smoke and poor air quality in the area. Visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ to view updated smoke impacts.

Fire Information:

·         Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7105/

·         Facebook: @HumboldtToiyabeNF #SlinkFire

·         Twitter: @HumboldtToiyabe #SlinkFire

·         Fire Information Line: 775-430-510