Fire Update: August Complex (South Zone)

WILLOWS, Calif. – Sept. 30, 2020 – This morning, Pacific Northwest #2 Incident Management Team under Incident Commander Rob Allen assumed command of the South Zone of the August Complex after transitioning with Mike Quesinberry’s NIMO team. The August Complex is 949,055 acres with 47% containment.

Weather: Hot and dry conditions are forecast for Wednesday, with temperatures of 80-90 degrees at higher elevations and approximately 100 degrees in valleys. Winds will be variable at 5-10 mph. There is the potential for areas of thick smoke.

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. Evacuation information can also be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6983/55716/.

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.

Incident information is available on InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6983/ ###

August Complex North Zone Fire Update

September 30, 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): 949,055 acres

Containment: 47%                                  Personnel (North Zone): 1,451

(Redding, CA) – While the high winds have subsided, the fire danger remains extreme. Many hazards lurk throughout the August Complex North Zone. Smoke is settling into the region. Fire personnel working on the northern and western flanks have reported zero visibility due to dense smoke. Highly combustible vegetation, falling trees, downed powerlines, exploding fuel tanks, and many other dangerous conditions are present throughout the active fire perimeter, which continues to grow.

It is extremely important for residents to stay out of closed and evacuated areas, allowing firefighters to maintain focus on the fire and the numerous hazards in the area. Please prepare to evacuate during a warning and leave quickly when an evacuation order is issued. Failure to evacuate diverts firefighters from protecting homes to assisting residents who should have evacuated. The Trinity County Sheriff issued a new evacuation warning on Tuesday for Bear Wallow and Friend Mountain, including Rowdy Bear, as terrain-driven winds could move the fire further north into the South Fork Trinity River drainage.

A damage assessment team has been ordered to assist the Trinity County Office of Emergency Services. They understand homeowners are eager for information. Staff will enter affected areas as soon as it is safe to do so and directly notify owners; your patience is appreciated. Roadblocks remain in place for firefighter and public safety as well as property protection. Please comply with the Sheriff’s orders.

Fire behavior remains active, with tree torching and uphill runs. Green pockets of vegetation continue to ignite near Forest Glen and Ruth Lake, posing on-going threats to structures. Firefighters are still working hard in Ruth, Post Mountain, Forest Glen, Three Forks, Hoaglin, Zenia, Kettenpom, Hettenshaw, and other affected communities to reduce hazards, protect structures, and conduct structure triage.

Today crews are working to hold and improve the containment line on the east side of the fire. The fire is progressing north of State Route 36 on both sides of the South Fork Trinity River. Firefighters are ready to conduct strategic burning operations south and west of Post Mountain when conditions permit. Structure protection remains a high priority for firefighters. Dozers and hand crews are constructing containment lines around homes and properties at risk. Plans are in progress for protection around the Hyampom community.

Additional air resources are being assigned to the fire. Air operations support firefighters on the ground as conditions permit. Please respect the Temporary Flight Restriction; keep drones away from the fire and firefighting operations. If you fly, we can’t. Don’t be the reason a firefighting air mission has to divert!

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

Evacuation Warning

·       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

·       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

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.

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 118,416 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. Incident Commanders have been monitoring weather reports and the fire burning in the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness which is part of the August Complex – North Zone.

Strong winds pushed the fire from the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness west, southwest towards control lines prompting evacuation orders and warnings being expanded in Trinity, Humboldt and Mendocino Counties. Firefighters have been working in extremely difficult terrain, performing structure defense, initiating significant firing operations to eliminate thousands of acres of unburned vegetation and construct both indirect and direct containment line in the Travis Ranch area. Firefighters also assisted the August Complex – North Zone, providing structure defense in Hettenshaw Valley.

Special Statement

Due to increased fire activity, Corning/Orland and Willits/Ukiah will become one forecast point to allow for additional locations to be added.

Fire

The August Complex continues to actively burn, primarily across 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 conditions with terrain driven winds expected this week as high pressure strengthens regionally. A stagnant pattern from strong high pressure will increase stability the rest of the week. This will allow for smoke to settle into valleys each night and morning. Smoke in some sheltered valleys may be slow to lift or remain in place the entire day. This will lead to worsening smoke impacts and poor air quality across the region. Air quality will be highly dependent on fire activity from the August Complex as well as other fires burning regionally.

Fire Update: August Complex (South Zone)

WILLOWS, Calif. – Sept. 29, 2020 – Crews spent Monday checking control lines in the Lake Pillsbury area and conducting mop up further into the burned area after the weekend red flag warning conditions ended and high winds exited the area. This morning, the August Complex is 938,044 acres with 43% containment.

Weather: Clear skies, high temperatures, and low humidity are in the forecast for Tuesday, with temperatures of 80-90 degrees at higher elevations and approximately 100 degrees in valleys. Winds will be variable at 5-10 mph in valleys, and south-southwest around 10 mph. 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. Evacuation information can also be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6983/55716/.

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.

Incident information is available on InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6983/ ###

August Complex North Zone Fire Update

September 29, 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): 938,044 acres

Containment: 43%                                  Personnel (North Zone): 1,292

Shasta-Trinity, Six Rivers, and Mendocino National Forests will host a virtual community meeting this evening at 7:30pm via Facebook Live. The Incident Management Team and cooperating agencies will discuss the current fire status and projected plans.

(Redding, CA) – A preliminary estimate shows structures and powerline infrastructure have been damaged or destroyed by the powerful wind-driven fire in the past few days. Trinity County Office of Emergency Services has not yet been able to begin damage assessments. They will enter the area as soon as it is safe to do so and directly notify owners; your patience is appreciated. Hot spots, falling trees, impassable roads, and many other hazards are present. Roadblocks remain in place for firefighter and public safety as well as property protection. Please comply with the Sheriff’s orders. Failure to evacuate diverts firefighters from protecting homes to assisting residents who should have evacuated. Crews continue working in Ruth, Post Mountain, and Forest Glen defending structures and conducting structure triage.

Smoke is expected to move back into the area over the next several days with a strong low-pressure system building over northern California. Lighter winds and shade from the smoke is anticipated to moderate fire behavior, but fire danger is still extreme. Dry fuels and winds can carry fire quickly. The winds are expected to shift to a flow from the north to northwest today, which will push the fire generally toward the southeast. However, the terrain can also funnel winds, shifting wind direction.

The fire continued to burn actively through the night with flanking, backing down slopes, and isolated tree torching. Firefighters patrolled and monitored structures on the west side of the fire last night and those efforts continue today. Crews conducted overnight strategic burning operations near Hettenshaw on the west side of the fire and near the junction of Forest Roads 30 and 35 on the east side. Firefighters continue to hold and improve containment lines on the northeastern flank prior to the shift in wind direction.

Additional air resources are being assigned to the fire. Air operations support firefighters on the ground as conditions permit. Please respect the Temporary Flight Restriction; keep drones away from the fire and firefighting operations. If you fly, we can’t. Don’t be the reason a firefighting air mission has to divert!

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

·       Lower Mad River Road

·       Mad River

·       Zenia area

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. Evacuation information for Trinity and Humboldt counties is available from the Red Cross at 530-276-8034. Evacuation information is available online from the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services Facebook page.

Road Closures

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 116,759 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.

Over the last several days, Incident Commanders have been monitoring weather reports and the fire burning in the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness which is part of the August Complex North Zone. In preparation for the potential impact that the forecasted red flag wind event could have on the fire in the Yolla Bolly- Middle Eel Wilderness, firefighters are working diligently from the air and the ground to strengthen and reinforce containment and control lines. Strong winds pushed the fire from the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness west, southwest towards control lines.

Yesterday, the fire continued to be wind driven to the west and southwest prompting evacuation orders and warnings being expanded in Trinity, Humboldt and Mendocino Counties. Firefighters worked in extremely difficult terrain, performing structure defense and constructing both indirect and direct containment line in the Travis Ranch area. Overnight, the fire was extremely active north of Travis Ranch and east of Zenia where firefighters were faced with the fire making uphill terrain driven runs.

August Complex North Zone Fire Update

September 28, 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): 878,470 acres

Containment: 45%                                  Personnel (North Zone): 1,238

(Redding, CA) – Wind gusts continue to push the fire west, prompting evacuation orders to the Trinity County line and evacuation warnings in Humboldt County. High winds are forecast throughout the day today, with gusts exceeding 30 miles per hour and potentially accelerating down the west slope of South Fork Mountain, threatening communities to the west and north.

The Ruth Valley and Mad River Valley are aligned to funnel the forecast winds and encourage fire spread in these areas. Residents are urged to comply with evacuation orders and to stay out of the area. Many roads are impassable due to fire and fallen trees. The fire remains extremely active; winds are carrying embers well beyond containment lines, and there is high potential for the fire to develop an active plume.

As fire activity increases with the winds and the heat of the day, large smoke columns are expected to form. Like thunderheads, columns build and then collapse. Collapsing columns are extremely dangerous, violently forcing winds outward, carrying fire and live embers far and wide. Extreme conditions are forecast into the evening; the Red Flag Warning is expected to end by 9pm.

Live embers were documented landing 8 miles ahead of the active fire front on Sunday. Spot fires ignited beyond control lines east of Forest Glen, north of State Route 36, and west of South Fork Mountain. The fires advanced to Ruth Lake and to the west side of the lake by afternoon. Crews are responding to the spot fires as conditions permit, working through the night. Firefighters continue to focus on firefighter and public safety, as well as point protection for structures.

New closures include all roads in Van Duzen, Mad River, Ruth, and Hettenshaw areas. Ruth Zenia Road is closed east of the US Forest Service Zenia Guard Station. The closure for State Route 36 now extends from the Humboldt County line on the west to the junction with Bowman Road on the east. New evacuation orders include Mad River and Lower Mad River Road.

Smoke will likely move back into the region in the next day or two, calming fire behavior. Hot, dry weather will persist with prime conditions for continued fire growth. The winds are presently aiding containment work on the east flank. Crews continue to hold and improve the fireline, preparing for the return of seasonal winds from the southwest.

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

·       Lower Mad River Road

·       Mad River

Evacuation Warning

·       Zenia and Kettenpom

Humboldt County

Evacuation Warning

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