CAL FIRE’s unified team and the U.S. Forest Service are engaged in a coordinated and collaborative response to take suppressive action on the August Complex, which has been split into three zones to effectively provide a response for the communities at risk. Due to resource draw down throughout the state, CAL FIRE’s Incident Management Team requested the California National Guard to assist with fire suppression efforts and as a result of CAL FIRE’s request, 138 National Guard personnel are assigned to the incident. Additionally, resources from across the state of California as well as Montana, Texas, Washington and New Jersey have been assigned to assist on the August Complex-West Zone. The August Complex-West Zone has burned 123,381 acres, spans approximately 195 miles of fire line and is 55% contained with approximately 1,600 firefighters battling the fire from the air and the ground.

Active fire behavior increased overnight with torching and spotting observed. The increase in fire activity hampered firefighter’s attempts to battle flames near the August Complex – North Zone. Active structure defense remains in place in and around the community of Zenia as the fire continues to move east and west. Continued hot and dry conditions will low relative humidity will remain today. Firing operations will continue when possible throughout the day, in addition to constructing direct containment lines where possible, along with indirect containment lines.

Preparations will carry on for defensive actions where the fire crossed containment lines north of Zenia. Difficult conditions remain with active spot fires within heavy timber and steep and rugged terrain. Assistance continues on the August Complex – North Zone. Incident Commanders actively monitoring the fire burning in the Yolla Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness, which is part of the August Complex – North Zone.

EUREKA, Calif. – Portions of the Six Rivers National Forest (SRNF) that have been closed under regional emergency closure orders since early September will reopen on Thursday, October 1. In place of the full forest closure, the Six Rivers National Forest has issued the following fire area closures due to public safety concerns:

• August Complex-North Zone: Forest Order No. 20-10-11 closes the area around the August Complex-North Zone fire burning on the Mad River Ranger District of the SRNF. This fire is also burning on the Mendocino ( www.fs.usda.gov/main/mendocino/) and Shasta-Trinity (www.fs.usda.gov/stnf/) national forests—specific closure orders may be in effect for these forests.
  
• Slater Fire: Forest Order 20-10-12 closes the area around the Slater Fire that is burning on the Gasquet Ranger District of the SRNF. This fire is also burning on the Klamath (www.fs.usda.gov/main/klamath/) and Rogue River-Siskiyou (www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou/) national forests—specific closure orders may be in effect for these forests.
  
• Red Salmon Complex: Forest Order 20-10-13 closes the area around the Red Salmon Complex fire burning on the Orleans/Ukonom and Lower Trinity ranger districts of the SRNF. This fire is also burning on the Klamath and Shasta-Trinity national forests—specific closure orders may be in effect for these forests.
  

For specific closure information, including maps and lists of road and trail closures, visit www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/srnf/alerts-notices.

According to Forest Supervisor Ted McArthur, “We’re opening up as much of the forest as we can for our communities and visitors, while still ensuring our firefighters can safely and effectively work within areas that remain closed due to wildfires.”

In addition to the above closures, the Pacific Southwest Regional Office has eased fire restrictions for all national forests in the region with propane and gas stoves now permitted in developed recreation sites. Developed recreation sites are defined as areas that have been improved or developed for recreation such as campgrounds and day use sites. See Regional Order No. 20-18 for more information.

Media Contacts:
Bridget Litten, (707) 441-3673
bridget.litten@usda.gov
Peggi Lawrence, (707) 441-3595
peggi.lawrence@usda.gov

Facebook / Twitter: @SixRiversNF 

August Complex North Zone Fire Update October 2, 2020
Incident Commander: Norm McDonald 

Start Date: 08/17/2020     Cause: Lightning     Containment: 51%
Location: Shasta-Trinity NF; Six Rivers NF; Mendocino NF     Fire Size (All Zones): 970,563 acres     Personnel (North Zone): 1,532 

(Redding, CA) – Residents have had many questions about the status of their property resulting from the wind- driven firestorm last Sunday and Monday. Trinity County Office of Emergency Services is responsible for damage assessments. County staff will enter affected areas as soon as it is safe to do so and directly notify owners; your patience is appreciated.

Many hazards remain throughout affected areas, such as falling trees, downed powerlines, and hotspots. Fire danger remains extreme with dry vegetation, drought conditions, very low relative humidity, record temperatures, and potential for additional wind events. Residents are not permitted entry into evacuated areas until the Sheriff lifts the orders. The public safety officers continue to enforce roadblocks for firefighter and public safety as well as property protection. The Sheriff issued evacuation orders yesterday for Hidden Valley, Indian Valley, Bear Wallow, Rowdy Bear, and Friend Mountain. Please comply with the Sheriff’s orders; prepare to evacuate during a warning and leave quickly when an evacuation order is issued. Failure to evacuate diverts firefighters and public safety officers from protecting homes to assisting residents who should have evacuated.

Hot and dry conditions prevail again today, with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees at lower elevations. Light winds from the northwest are forecast with potential to increase in the afternoon. Dense smoke persists, particularly in the deeper valleys. While smoke provides shade and moderates fire behavior, it also inhibits aircraft operations.

The fire continues to move north of State Route 36 toward Bear Wallow and south toward Forest Glen. It also is moving to the southwest in the drainages and valleys south of Ruth Lake. The fire still has substantial potential for spread in drainages aligned with the winds. Firefighters are constructing dozer lines to the north and west from Post Mountain/Trinity Pines. Crews are continuing structure assessments and protection measures for potentially affected structures and properties near the fire perimeter.

Resource shortages continue across the western states, including California, due to the scale of the wildfire season this year. Firefighting strategies are constantly adapting to environmental conditions and resources available. Resources are managed not only within an individual fire, but across regions and the nation. Several times, including during the recent high wind event on the North Zone, CalFire responded from the West Zone to requests for assistance to defend life and property. They sent staff and equipment to assist for 24-hour shifts in the Ruth area. CalFire continues to be engaged in Zenia, Kettenpom, Watts Lake, and other areas on the west side of the fire. The coordinated effort continues for positioning resources where they will be most effective. Deputy Incident Commander Tom Kurth emphasized, “We are bolstering organizational oversight while dealing with persistent fire growth and shifting priorities.” 
 

Fire Information/Media Line: (530) 628-0039 

Email: 2020.Elkhorn@firenet.gov

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6983/ 

www.facebook.com; @ShastaTrinityNF; @SixRiversNF; @MendocinoNF 
 

Trinity County:

Evacuation Orders 

Ruth and Ruth Lake 
Forest Glen 
Post Mountain/Trinity Pines 
Three Forks 
Hettenshaw Valley 
Mad River 
Zenia and Kettenpom 
Island Mountain 
The area of Kettenpom south to Kekawaka Creek
Bear Wallow and Friend Mountain, including Rowdy Bear
Indian Valley and Hidden Valley
All areas south of State Route 36 to the Trinity County Line

 

Evacuation Warning

Wildwood area, including Peanut and the area south of State Route 299 
 

Humboldt County:
Evacuation Warning
Areas east of Alderpoint Road to the Trinity County border and south of Showers Pass Road to Mountain Creek 

Evacuation Information

Residents are urged to evacuate from the fire area. Failure to evacuate diverts firefighters from protecting homes to assisting residents who should have evacuated. Evacuation information for Trinity and Humboldt counties is available from the Red Cross at 530-276-8034. 
 

Road Closures  

State Route (SR) 3 at Rattlesnake Road 
Rattlesnake Road at SR 36 
Post Mountain at SR 36 
SR 36 at Humboldt County line 
SR 36 at SR 3 
Zenia Bluffs Road at Humboldt County Line 
Zenia Lake Mountain Road at Peaks Road 
Kekawaka Creek Road to Mendocino County Line  

 

Damage Assessments 

Trinity County Office of Emergency Services will conduct structure damage assessments when it is safe to do so. They may be contacted at: 530-623-8223. 
 

Forest Closures: Shasta-Trinity, Mendocino, and Six Rivers National Forests. 

Each forest has closures in place. Individual forest closure information is available online: 

Shasta-Trinity National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/stnf/forestorders

Mendocino National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mendocino/alerts-notices  

Six Rivers National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/srnf/alerts-notices  

It is critical that all national forest visitors follow these important closures and restrictions for their own safety and the safety of our firefighters. Many hunting areas are closed due to wildfire activity; for more information visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go. 
 

Cooperating Agencies: Trinity County Sheriff’s Office, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, Mendocino Sheriff’s Office, Trinity County OES, Humboldt County OES, California Highway Patrol, National Weather Service, BLM, Cal OES, CAL FIRE 

CAL FIRE’s unified team and the U.S. Forest Service are engaged in a coordinated and collaborative response to take suppressive action on the August Complex, which has been split into three zones to effectively provide a response for the communities at risk. Due to resource draw down throughout the state, CAL FIRE’s Incident Management Team requested the California National Guard to assist with fire suppression efforts and as a result of CAL FIRE’s request, 138 National Guard personnel are assigned to the incident. Additionally, resources from across the state of California as well as Montana, Texas, Washington and New Jersey have been assigned to assist on the August Complex-West Zone.

The August Complex-West Zone has burned 123,328 acres, spans approximately 195 miles of fire line and is 55% contained with approximately 1,600 firefighters battling the fire from the air and the ground. Yesterday the fire crossed containment lines north of Zenia and remained very active overnight. Active structure defense is in place in and around the community of Zenia as the fire continues to move east and west. A red flag warning remains in place until tonight, October 2, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. with heavy smoke, north-northwest winds and hot, dry conditions. Afternoon winds will be stronger today than Thursday. Challenging conditions remain with active spot fires within heavy timber and steep and rugged terrain. Firefighters continue to aggressively attack the fire with multiple dozers, engines, and hand crews, while continuing fire operations, building and installing containment lines, and laying hose lines where possible, in addition to assisting the August Complex – North Zone.

Incident Commanders continue to monitor the fire burning in the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness, which is part of the August Complex – North Zone. Incident Commanders are constantly monitoring evacuated areas and working with our law enforcement partners to return residents to their homes when it is safe to do so.  

Special Statement

There are widespread areas of significant smoke pooled across the region. As winds increase and fire activity picks up during the afternoon, rapid and significant changes in smoke and air quality can occur.

Fire

The August Complex continues to actively burn along the NW/W perimeter. The Zogg Fire SW of Redding and Glass Fire in Napa Valley continue to produce smoke.

Smoke

High pressure continues to dominate the region allowing for strong inversions. Smoke that is trapped in the valleys will remain with widespread Unhealthy conditions. Communities in deep valleys could see periods of Hazardous air near the August Complex. This is likely to occur in the Mad River, Hayfork, Ruth Lake, Van Duzer, and Eel River areas. These conditions will continue through the weekend. There could be some slight improvement for coastal communities as onshore flow increases the next few days.

Fire Update: August Complex (South Zone)

Size: 970,563 acres     Containment: 51%     Personnel: 1,849     Start Date: August 17, 2020
Cause: Lightning      Structures Threatened: 2,200      Structures Destroyed: 108

WILLOWS, Calif. – October 2, 2020

YESTERDAY’S ACTIVITIES: Substantial work was carried out along the southwestern corner of the fire near Big Signal Peak to mop up and secure unburned fuel within the control line. Fire personnel began assessing areas farther north along the southwestern edge in anticipation of moving and focusing resources in areas with more active fire. Crews pulled eight miles of hose from the interior of the fire, from exterior lines that are fully contained, and contingency or back-up lines. Good progress was made along the eastern and southern edge by removing equipment and 60% of the hose that will be reallocated to higher priority locations.

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES: Crews are moving clockwise around the perimeter toward the western area of the fire to gain further information to plan for next steps. Although resources are moving in that western vicinity, activity will continue elsewhere as crews focus on repair of fire suppression activities including dozer and handlines. Firefighters will continue patrolling and backhauling of equipment and hose along the eastern and southern edge, where there is good containment. The structure protection group will remove pumps, hose, and other fire apparatus from areas around Pillsbury Ranch and Rice Creek areas.

EVACUATIONS: In the South Zone of the August Complex, evacuation orders are in place for portions of Mendocino and Lake counties. Please see each of the respective county sheriff’s office or emergency management websites for specific evacuation information. 

FOREST CLOSURES: Forest Order No. 08-20-13 is in effect for the Mendocino National Forest. Residents and property owners may return to their properties within the Mendocino National Forest in Glenn County and Tehama County, but access to the Forest Service closure area for other purposes, including hunting and recreation, is prohibited. Properties accessed via a Forest System road may require a permit from the US Forest Service. Please contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316 for more information.

WEATHER: More hot and dry weather is forecast near the August Complex South Zone, with light and variable winds, switching to northwest at 10-15 mph by afternoon. Relative humidity is expected to remain low, near 15%.

SAFETY: With hot and dry conditions, do not park in a tall grassy area where heat from vehicle exhausts can ignite a fire.

Fire

The August Complex continues to actively burn along the northwestern and western perimeters. Large interior pockets remain active as well. The Zogg Fire southwest of Redding and Glass Fire in Napa Valley continue to produce significant smoke.

 

Smoke

Hot and dry weather with terrain driven winds continue as strong high pressure remains entrenched in the region. With light winds and a strong inversion, smoke will continue to accumulate with worsening air quality. Communities in close proximity to the fire will see Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy conditions. Communities immediately near the August Complex in river drainages and deep valleys could see periods of Hazardous air. This is likely to occur in the Mad River, Ruth Lake, Van Duzer, and Eel River areas. The Zogg Fire will be a significant smoke producer for communities from Redding to Corning. These conditions will continue through the weekend, with only slight improvement for coastal communities as transport winds shift generally out of the west tomorrow.

Fire Update: August Complex (South Zone)

                                                                                                                                   

Size: 955, 513 acres    Containment: 51%     Personnel: 2,048      Start Date: August 17, 2020
Cause: Lightning        Structures Threatened: 2,200       Structures Destroyed: 100

 

WILLOWS, Calif. – October 1, 2020

YESTERDAY’S ACTIVITIES: The newly positioned Pacific Northwest Team 2 continued to develop a strategy to move the August Complex South Zone towards full containment. Along with monitoring the east side of the August Complex with ground and air reconnaissance fire personnel continued mopping up and monitoring containment lines in the Lake Pillsbury region and to the west. Crews worked around structures, checked control lines, felled hazard trees along roads, and retrieved equipment that was no longer necessary. Fourteen engines were reallocated from the South Zone to the North Zone. A Burned Area Emergency Response Team (BEAR) began work on the eastern side of fire, collecting and analyzing information to document burn severity and to prioritize emergency stabilization measures.    

 

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES: Personnel will continue to patrol and monitor containment lines and mop-up areas that still hold residual pockets of heat on the interior of the containment lines. Crews will continue to back haul equipment from some areas of the fire. Firefighters in the Lake Pillsbury area will continue work to secure structures. Damage assessments of structures are ongoing, and reports will be updated as areas become safe to evaluate.

 

EVACUATIONS: In the South Zone of the August Complex, evacuation orders are in place for portions of Mendocino and Lake counties. Please see each of the respective county sheriff’s office or emergency management websites for specific evacuation information.

 

FOREST CLOSURES: Forest Order No. 08-20-13 is in effect for the Mendocino National Forest. Residents and property owners may return to their properties within the Mendocino National Forest in Glenn County and Tehama County, but access to the Forest Service closure area for other purposes, including hunting and recreation, is prohibited. Properties accessed via a Forest System road may require a permit from the US Forest Service. Please contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316 for more information.

 

WEATHER: A Red Flag Warning is in effect for the August Complex fire area. On the South Zone terrain driven winds are predicted along ridgetops. Northwest winds are forecast to 5-10 mph, gusting to 15-20 mph on the ridgetops. Temperatures may reach near or above 100 degrees, with very low relative humidity. There is potential for areas of thick smoke across the region. 

 

SAFETY: Drones cannot be flown when an active fire is present. Drones can impede aircraft operations. When you fly, we can’t! 

August Complex North Zone Fire Update

October 1, 2020

Incident Commander: Norm McDonald

Start Date: 08/17/2020         Location: Shasta-Trinity NF; Six Rivers NF; Mendocino NF
Cause: Lightning                    Fire Size (All Zones): 955,513 acres
Containment: 51%                Personnel (North Zone): 1,686

(Redding, CA) – Firefighting and public safety operations are being challenged by the public remaining in areas under evacuation orders. Evacuation orders are in place for Forest Glen, Hettenshaw Valley, Island Mountain, Kettenpom, Ruth and Ruth Lake, Mad River, Post Mountain/Trinity Pines, Three Forks, Zenia, and all areas south of State Route 36 to the Trinity County line. California Standard Statewide Evacuation Terminology defines an evacuation order as a lawful order to leave the area now due to an immediate threat to life. The area is lawfully closed to public access. Failure to evacuate diverts firefighters and public safety officers from protecting homes to assisting residents who should have evacuated.

An evacuation warning indicates there is a potential threat to life or property. Residents should be prepared to leave quickly if conditions deteriorate. Those with pets, livestock, or other situations that require additional time to evacuate should leave as soon as possible when the warning is issued. The Trinity County Sheriff issued a new evacuation warning for the Wildwood area on Wednesday, including Peanut and the area south of State Route 299. Evacuation warnings have also been issued for the Bear Wallow and Friend Mountain area, including Rowdy Bear. The Humboldt County Sheriff issued an evacuation warning for areas east of Alderpoint Road to the Trinity County border and south of Showers Pass Road to Mountain Creek. Roadblocks remain in place for firefighter and public safety as well as property protection.

Many of the firefighters and support staff working on the August Complex are from the local area. They have evacuated their own homes in Ruth and Mad River. Firefighters live in Stonyford, Redding, and other nearby communities. This fire is personal; crews are working hard to support their family, friends, and neighbors. The Mendocino Hotshots are slogging up steep slopes in the 100 degree heat to access areas that dozers and other equipment cannot reach. Crews are scheduled to work in shifts throughout the night, holding containment lines. While Mother Nature continues to hurl challenges of high winds, drought, and unseasonably hot temperatures, the firefighters are doing their best to provide for firefighter and public safety, assess and minimize risks, and implement sound tactical operations.

Hot and dry conditions will persist today, with temperatures again exceeding 100 degrees at lower elevations. Winds from the northwest are forecast for this morning, shifting to west winds in the afternoon. Dense smoke has settled over much of the fire, providing shade and moderating fire behavior. However, the smoke also limits aircraft operations. Crews are increasing the width of existing containment lines on the east side of the fire and pushing forward constructing new lines on the north and west flanks. They are assessing structure protection needs in Hyampom and other communities to the north. There is still much work ahead, as the fire continues to grow to the north and west.

Fire Information/Media Line: (530) 628-0039    ♦    Email: 2020.Elkhorn@firenet.gov

inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6983/    ♦     www.facebook.com @ShastaTrinityNF; @SixRiversNF; @MendocinoNF

Trinity County

Evacuation Orders

· Ruth and Ruth Lake

· Forest Glen

· Post Mountain/Trinity Pines

· Three Forks

· Hettenshaw Valley

· Mad River

· Zenia and Kettenpom

· Island Mountain

· All areas south of State Route 36 to the Trinity County line

Evacuation Warning

· Wildwood area, including Peanut and the area south of State Route 299

· Bear Wallow and Friend Mountain, including Rowdy Bear

Humboldt County

Evacuation Warning

· Areas east of Alderpoint Road to the Trinity County border and south of Showers Pass Road to Mountain Creek

Evacuation Information

Residents are urged to evacuate from the fire area. Failure to evacuate diverts firefighters from protecting homes to assisting residents who should have evacuated. Evacuation information for Trinity and Humboldt counties is available from the Red Cross at 530-276-8034.

Road Closures

· State Route (SR) 3 at Rattlesnake Road

· Rattlesnake Road at SR 36

· Post Mountain at SR 36

· SR 36 at Humboldt County line

· SR 36 at SR 3

· Zenia Bluffs Road at Humboldt County Line

· Zenia Lake Mountain Road at Peaks Road

· Kekawaka Creek Road to Mendocino County Line

Damage Assessments

Trinity County Office of Emergency Services will conduct structure damage assessments when it is safe to do so. They may be contacted at: 530-623-8223.

Forest Closures: Shasta-Trinity, Mendocino, and Six Rivers National Forests.

Each forest has closures in place. Individual forest closure information is available online:

· Shasta-Trinity National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/stnf/forestorders

· Mendocino National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mendocino/alerts-notices

· Six Rivers National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/srnf/alerts-notices.

It is critical that all national forest visitors follow these important closures and restrictions for their own safety and the safety of our firefighters. Many hunting areas are closed due to wildfire activity; for more information visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go.

Cooperating Agencies: Trinity County Sheriff’s Office, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, Mendocino Sheriff’s Office, Trinity County OES, Humboldt County OES, California Highway Patrol, National Weather Service, BLM, Cal OES, CAL FIRE

CAL FIRE’s unified team and the U.S. Forest Service are engaged in a coordinated and collaborative response to take suppressive action on the August Complex, which has been split into three zones to effectively provide a response for the communities at risk. Due to resource draw down throughout the state, CAL FIRE’s Incident Management Team requested the California National Guard to assist with fire suppression efforts and as a result of CAL FIRE’s request, 138 National Guard personnel are assigned to the incident. Additionally, resources from across the state of California as well as Montana, Idaho, Texas, Washington and New Jersey have been assigned to assist on the August Complex-West Zone.

The August Complex West Zone has burned 119,977 acres, spans approximately 195 miles of fire line and is 65% contained with more than 1,600 firefighters battling the fire from the air and the ground. Firing operations occurred overnight to eliminate thousands of acres of unburned vegetation and construct both indirect and direct containment lines and is ongoing this morning.

Very hot and dry weather will continue today with west to northwest ridgetop and aligned drainage 20-foot winds expected this afternoon. Firefighters are met with difficult terrain consisting of timber, chaparral and tall grass while they continue to perform structure defense and initiate significant firing operations. Firefighters also assisted the August Complex – North Zone, providing structure defense in Hettenshaw Valley. Incident Commanders continue to monitor the fire burning in the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness, which is part of the August Complex – North Zone.