Current Situation (August Complex-North Zone):  Dry weather continues to aid active fire behavior.  Priorities remain on structure protection, indirect line construction (away from the fire’s edge), direct line construction and tactical firing operations (applying fire on the ground to remove vegetation and widen containment lines).

Structure defense continues in Ruth Valley and structure preparation is ongoing in the communities of Hettenshaw and Kettenpom Valleys, Forest Glen and Trinity Pines/Post Mountain.  

WILLOWS, CA. – Sept. 16, 2020

Incident Start Date:  08/17/20

August Complex Total Size:  796,651 acres

Containment:  30%

August Complex South Zone Size:  531,471 acres

Cause:  Lightning

Structures Lost:  35

Structures Threatened:  400

The South Zone of the August Complex continues to grow in size as fire crews make good progress in some locations, while conditions in other areas are proving difficult. The sheer size of the fire creates varying fire activity across the vast terrain and fuel conditions.

Firefighters were successful in implementing additional control line and containment measures along the eastern portion of the fire on Tuesday. Crews completed burning operations near Salt Creek that will provide a secure containment line once mop-up of the area is complete.

The fire continues to progress south toward Lake Pillsbury where extreme dry conditions and heavy fuels (vegetation) are allowing for substantial fire growth despite having favorable winds from the southwest.  In this area, fire crews are constructing dozer and hand lines, and tying into previously constructed lines from the 2018 Ranch fire.  Firefighters are also installing hose lays and implementing measures for structure protection.  

In the southwest area of the fire within the Yuki and Sanhedrin Wilderness Areas, fire behavior remains active, and growth has progressed west of Impassible Rock.  Air tankers are being utilized to provide protection of important communications facilities with retardant drops.

Weather:  Dry conditions are forecast to continue on Wednesday, with increasing humidity expected over the next few days.  Temperatures will remain in the upper 70s to the mid-80s. Southwesterly winds will continue, with clearer skies to the south.

Evacuations:  Evacuation orders are in effect for Mendocino, Lake, Humboldt and Trinity 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/ .

Public Meetings: The August Complex-South Zone will hold a Virtual Public Meeting at 7pm on Thursday, September 17, 2020 to provide a fire overview and to allow the public to ask questions. The meeting will be live streamed on the Mendocino National Forest Facebook page. 

A West Zone virtual public meeting is planned for tonight, September 16.  Please see their webpage for details https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/16/august-complex-includes-doe-fire/

For more information on the August Complex can be found on please check InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6983/ 

Current Situation (August Complex-North Zone):  Active fire behavior is expected to continue with dry conditions and low relative humidity. Our priorities are focused on life and property; our strategy continues to be focused on structure protection, indirect line construction (away from the fire’s edge), direct line construction and tactical firing operations (applying fire on the ground to remove vegetation and widen containment lines).

Firefighters are focusing on suppression actions on the north and northwest areas of the fire. Crews are working to secure spots occurring north of the South Fork of the Trinity River and south of Rattlesnake Ridge. Line construction continues from Ruth Valley west to the Middle Fork of the Eel River, east to Horse Ridge.  Structure defense will continue in the Ruth Valley.

Dozers continue to construct indirect lines on Forest Road 3S09 (Six Rivers National Forest) to Zenia Lake Mtn Road (3S21).   Crews are working to complete hand lines from the east to the Middle Fork of the Eel River. Structure preparation continues in the communities of Hettenshaw and Kettenpom Valleys.

On the northeast perimeter (Shasta-Trinity National Forest), crews continue to reinforce the containment line along the 35 Road. Firefighters have made good progress west of Rat Trap Gap improving the line and using tactical firing operations where possible.  

In the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness along Wrights Ridge, it is forecasted that the August Complex North and South Zones will merge, therefore it is not safe to put firefighters in the area.

Virtual Public Meeting:

A Virtual Public Meeting will be held at 7pm on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 to provide a fire overview and to allow the public to ask questions. The meeting will be live streamed on:

• Shasta-Trinity National Forest Facebook @ShastaTrinityNF

• Six Rivers National Forest Facebook @SixRiversNF

• Mendocino National Forest Facebook @MendocinoNF

Weather:   A low pressure system will continue to bring southwest to west-southwest winds with gusts approaching 20 mph on exposed ridgetops.   Relative humidity will increase Tuesday night and especially into Thursday and Friday.   

Smoke Outlook:   Air quality remains Unhealthy in many areas. Unhealthy conditions are expected overnight in the foothill areas strongly affected by the settling of down drainage smoke. Smoke from fires to the east and south continue to add to overall smoke concentrations.
Forest Closures: Shasta-Trinity, Mendocino, and Six Rivers National Forests.

Due to unprecedented and historic fire conditions throughout the state, the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region has closed all 18 national forests in California.  This includes the Mendocino, Shasta- Trinity and Six Rivers National Forests. It is critical that all national forest visitors follow these important closures and restrictions for their own safety and the safety of our firefighters.

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

Safety Message: Due to high fire danger, evacuation orders are put in place for your safety. Be prepared and ready to go.

Wildfire Preparedness: Plan, Know and Act.  Please be ready if a wildfire nears your property or community. For more information visit the following webs at:  www.readyforwildfire.org/

WILLOWS, Calif – Sept. 15, 2020 – Critically dry fuels challenge firefighters as they continue their suppression efforts on the August Fire Complex.  The total acreage for the August Complex is now at 794,801 acres with 30% containment. The acreage associated with the South Zone is 522,957 acres.

The focus of today’s firefighting efforts is in Lake County in the Lake Pillsbury Basin.  A considerable amount of work is taking place in this area. Two structure protection groups have been established to help protect infrastructure in the basin. Work by these groups includes installing hose lays, supplying water dip tanks for helicopters, and putting in dozer lines where appropriate.  Close coordination with CAL FIRE is taking place between the efforts in the west and southwest areas of the fire.  The evacuation order issued by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office remains in effect.

On the east side of the fire, a burnout operation began Monday afternoon in the area of the Salt Creek Conservation Camp.  This operation will continue today as weather conditions allow – the completion of this burnout operation will tie the fire perimeter into the dozer built fire line that was previously constructed.

In the northern area of the South Zone, good progress has been made in containing the fire in the Elder Creek area on the eastern side of the Crane Mills property.  Mop up activities continue along the fire perimeter in this area by the 14th Brigade Engineer Battalion from Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State.

Weather. Smoke will be clearing today with mostly sunny skies. Relative humidity will be 15-20%, with temperatures in the upper 70s to upper 80s. Southwesterly winds will continue at 10-15 mph with gusts up to 20 mph. Moisture will begin arriving in the area starting Wednesday, raising, humidity levels, which will help with suppression efforts.

Evacuation orders are in effect for Mendocino, Lake, Glenn, Humboldt and Trinity 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/ . 

Due to unprecedented and historic fire conditions throughout the state, the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region extended its temporary closure of all eighteen National Forests in California through September 21, 2020.

For more information on the August Complex can be found on please check InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6983/

Current Situation (August Complex-North Zone): Today will be another day of critical fire weather due to dry conditions, low relative humidity and less smoke shading. The priority in the North Zone is structure protection, indirect line construction (away from the fire’s edge), direct line construction and tactical firing operations (applying fire on the ground to remove vegetation and widen containment lines).

The fire continues to be active northeast of Ruth and firefighters will engage in structure defense around the homes on the east side of the Ruth Valley. It has spotted on the north side of the South Fork of the Trinity River northeast of Stockton Flats.

Dozers continue to construct indirect lines on Forest Road 3S09 to Zenia Lake Mtn Road (3S21).   Crews are working to complete hand lines to the Middle Fork of the Eel River and will continue to prepare structures in the communities of Hettenshaw and Kettenpom Valleys.

On the northeast perimeter (Shasta-Trinity National Forest), crews continue to reinforce the containment line along the 35 Road. Crews will continue working from the west of Rat Trap improving the line and using tactical firing operations where possible.  A ten-person crew of smokejumpers is working the northern perimeter of the fire to assess historic structures in the area.

Weather:   A low pressure system will continue to bring lighter southwest winds. Low relative humidity will continue to create elevated fire weather conditions.

Smoke Outlook:   Air quality remains Unhealthy in many areas, and Very Unhealthy conditions overnight in foothill areas. With light southwesterly winds today and tomorrow expect some midday lessening of smoke which will settle back in overnight. Smoke from fires to the east and south continue to add to overall smoke concentrations.

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

Due to unprecedented and historic fire conditions throughout the state, the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region has closed all 18 national forests in California.  This includes the Mendocino, Shasta- Trinity and Six Rivers National Forests. It is critical that all national forest visitors follow these important closures and restrictions for their own safety and the safety of our firefighters.

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

Safety Message: Due to high fire danger, evacuation orders are put in place for your safety. Be prepared and ready to go.

Wildfire Preparedness: Plan, Know and Act.  Please be ready if a wildfire nears your property or community. For more information visit the following webs at:  www.readyforwildfire.org/

Fire Update: South Zone, August Complex September 14, 2020 

WILLOWS, Calif – Sept. 14, 2020 – USDA Forest Service and CAL FIRE are engaged in a coordinated response to manage and suppress the August Complex. The complex consists of multiple fires that have burned together. The complex has been divided into the North, South and West Zones for management purposes.

The total acreage for the August Complex is now at 755,603 acres with 30% containment. It listed as the largest fire in California history. The acreage of the August Complex has decreased due to more accurate mapping.

Firefighters will continue to mop up all along the fire’s perimeter utilizing both ground and aerial resources. Some of this work is being conducted by the 14th Brigade Engineer Battalion based out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington. A dozer line is being completed around the Salt Creek Conservation Camp and may be followed by a burn out if necessary, to help protect the area. A structure protection group has been established in the Pillsbury Lake to help protect infrastructure. This includes installing hose lays, water dip tanks for helicopters and putting in dozer lines where appropriate. Patrol and monitoring of containment lines will continue throughout the fire area.

The fire crossed containment lines in the Yuki Wilderness yesterday and made a run to the west. Firefighters will increase suppression efforts in that area today to contain the fire. They will be working closely with resource advisors in the wilderness to reduce suppression impacts  

Weather. Smokey conditions are expected again today. Relative humidity will be 15-20%. Temperatures will be in the upper 70s to the mid-80s. Southwesterly winds will be 10-15 mph with gusts up to 20mph. Fire activity will continue to remain high due critically dry fuels.

New evacuations were issued Sunday night in Mendocino County. Evacuation orders are in effect for Mendocino, Lake, Humboldt and Trinity Counties. Please visit
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6983/55716/ for more information. 

A Forest Closure Order is in effect. Order 08-20-12 and map are posted on the Mendocino NF website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mendocino/alerts-notices

For more information on the August Complex can be found on InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6983/

WILLOWS, Calif – Sept. 13, 2020 – USDA Forest Service and CAL FIRE are engaged in a coordinated response to manage and suppress the August Complex. The Complex consists of multiple fires that have burned together and are collectively known as the August Complex. The Complex has been divided into three zones: South, North, and West. The South Zone is located primarily in the Mendocino National Forest, geographically from the South Yolla Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness to just north of Lake Pillsbury.

The August Complex has grown to 877,477 acres and is 28 percent contained. It is listed as the largest fire in California history. The South Zone is now 503,086 acres.

Firefighters are mopping up along the fire’s perimeter where fire activity is low, increasing its containment. They continue to reduce fuels around Lake Pillsbury and in communities near Eel River and Bauer Ridge to help protect infrastructure. This includes installing hose lays, water dip tanks for helicopters and putting in dozer lines where appropriate. Aerial resources will continue to utilize water drops on hot spots around the fire’s perimeter. Crews will continue to patrol and monitor fire activity throughout the fire area.

Weather. Smoky conditions are expected Sunday with increasing winds and clouds moving into the area. Temperatures will be in the mid-80s with relative humidity 15-20%.  Southerly winds are expected to be 8-15 mph with gusts to 20-25 mph on the ridgetops.  Fire activity will remain high with critically dry fuels.

Evacuations are in effect in many counties. New mandatory evacuations were issued Friday evening in Mendocino County. See the Mendocino County Sheriff's page for map of evacuation areas. 

Due to unprecedented and historic fire conditions throughout the state, the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region issued a temporary closure of all eighteen National Forests in California effective through Sept. 14, 2020.  

If you have questions regarding evacuations due to the August Complex, please contact your respective county by one of the following means:

Mendocino County: https://www.facebook.com/MendocinoSheriff

Mendocino County Sheriff Department: 707-234-6052

Updated evacuation notices:  https://local.nixle.com/mendocino-county-sheriffs-office-ca

Updated Evacuation Map:  https://tinyurl.com/MendoEvac

Evacuation Center:  Covelo High School, 76280 High School Street, Covelo, CA

Glenn County: https://www.facebook.com/glenncountysheriff

Glenn County Sheriff Department: 530-934-6441  https://tinyurl.com/GlennCoOES

Emergency Help Central 2-1-1; or 1-855-839-1175

Updated evacuation notices:  https://nixle.com/county/ca/glenn/

Lake County: https://www.facebook.com/LakeCountyOES/

Lake County Sheriff Department: 707-262-4200

Office of Emergency Services: 707- 262- 4090 Mon – Fri 8-5; After Hours/ Non-Emergency: 707-263-2690

http://www.lakesheriff.com/About/OES/LakeCoAlerts.htm

Evacuation Map:  https://tinyurl.com/LakeCoIncidentViewer

If you need shelter, please contact the American Red Cross for assistance: 866-272-2237

Trinity County: https://www.facebook.com/Trinity-County-Sheriffs-Office-1635934306689276

Trinity County Sheriff Department: 530-623-8127  https://tinyurl.com/TrinityCoSheriff

Office of Emergency Services: Office: 530-623-1116, Cell: 707-330-1323 (leave a voicemail)

Trinity County OES: https://www.trinitycounty.org/OES

Trinity Emergency Alert Network: https://www.trinitycounty.org/oes/codered

Mobile App is recommended: Code Red

Evacuation Centers:  Humboldt County Fairgrounds, 1250 5th St., Ferndale, CA and Southern Trinity High School, 600 Van Duzen Road, Mad River, CA

Tehama County:

Sheriff’s Office:  (530) 529-7900

https://tehamaso.org/emergency-services/current-disaster-information/

Animal Evacuation Shelters: 

Small animals:  Ukiah Animal Shelter, 298 Plant Rd, Ukiah, CA

Small & large animals:  Round Valley Rodeo Grounds, 22830 S. Airport Rd., Covelo, CA

WILLOWS, Calif – Sept. 12, 2020 – On Friday, Sept.  11, 2020, the fires known as the August Complex (Doe), Elkhorn, Hopkins, Willow, and Vinegar were combined and are now collectively known as the August Complex. The August Complex will be split into three management zones: South, North and West.  These fires have all burned together and the intent is to simplify the coordination of effort, ordering and timely release of accurate information.  Separate zone updates will be released daily in order to provide more localized information. The South Zone consists of the Doe Fire; the main area previously identified as the August Complex.  

The August Complex will be managed under unified incident command between Great Basin Team 2-DeMasters (South Zone), California Interagency Incident Management Team 5-Young (North Zone), and CAL FIRE Team 5-Parkes (West Zone). The August Complex is burning on the Mendocino, Shasta-Trinity and Six Rivers National Forests.

The August Complex has grown to 875,059 acres and is listed as the largest fire in California history   (this includes 28,247 acres on the west zone managed by CAL Fire).  The South Zone is now 498,202 acres and 25 percent contained.

Smoke cleared on parts of the fire Friday and helicopters assisted crews with water drops on hot spots around the fire. Saturday, crews will continue to clear fuels and prepare around structures near Lake Pillsbury and in the communities near Eel River and Bauer Ridge.  Authorization has been given to utilize a decommissioned road within the Yuki Wilderness and resources will enter the area as necessary for fire suppression. Fire resources are coordinating with CAL FIRE Team 5 on the West Zone.

Weather. Smoke cover is expected to thin over the fire today allowing for increased heating.  Temperatures will be in the mid-80s with relative humidity in the teens.  South winds are expected to be 8-10 mph with gusts to 20 mph on the ridgetops.  Fire activity will remain high with critically dry fuels.

Evacuations are in effect in many counties. New mandatory evacuations were issued yesterday evening in Mendocino County. See the Mendocino County Sheriff's page for map of evacuation areas. 

A Forest Closure Order is in effect. Order 08-20-12 (Sep. 5, 2020) and map are posted on the Mendocino NF website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mendocino/alerts-notices

Yesterday, September 11, 2020, the fires known as the August Complex (Doe), Elkhorn, Hopkins, Willow, and Vinegar were combined and are now collectively known as the August Complex. The August Complex will be split into three management zones: South, North and West.  These fires have all burned together and the intent is to simplify the coordination of effort, ordering and timely release of accurate information.  Separate zone updates will be released daily in order to provide more localized information. The South Zone consists of the Doe Fire; the main area previously identified as the August Complex.  

The August Complex will be managed under unified incident command between Great Basin Team 2-DeMasters (South Zone), California Interagency Incident Management Team 5-Young (North Zone), and CAL FIRE Team 5-Parkes (West Zone). The August Complex is burning on the Mendocino, Shasta-Trinity and Six Rivers National Forests.

The combined fires now known as the August Complex have grown to 846,812 acres and collectively are listed as the largest fire in California history.   The South Zone, Doe Fire, is now 498,202 acres and 25 percent contained.

Smoke cleared on parts of the fire yesterday and helicopters assisted crews with water drops on hot spots around the fire. Today, crews continue to clear fuels and prepare around structures near Lake Pillsbury and in the communities near Eel River and Bauer Ridge.  Dozers will be used to build indirect fire lines on the southwest and west side of the fire where South Zone fire resources are coordinating with CAL FIRE Team 5 on the West Zone.

Weather. Smoke cover is expected to thin over the fire today allowing for increased heating.  Temperatures will be in the mid-80s with relative humidity in the teens.  South winds are expected to be 8-10 mph with gusts to 20 mph on the ridgetops.  Fire activity will remain high with critically dry fuels.

Evacuations are in effect in many counties. New mandatory evacuations were issued yesterday evening in Mendocino County. See the Mendocino County Sheriff's page for map of evacuation areas. 

A Forest Closure Order is in effect. Order 08-20-12 (Sep. 5, 2020) and map are posted on the Mendocino NF website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mendocino/alerts-notices

The most up to date information on the August Complex can be found on InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6983/