Red-Salmon Fire Complex Closure

Klamath National Forest Order No. 20-05-20

Shasta-Trinity National Forest Order No. 14-20-05

Six Rivers National Forest Order No. 20-10-09

 Complete Closure Order             Map

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 551 and 36 C.F.R. 261.50(a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited within the Salmon River Ranger District of the Klamath National Forest, the Big Bar Ranger District of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, and the Orleans and Lower Trinity Ranger Districts of the Six Rivers National Forest. This Order is effective from August 8, 2020, through September 30, 2020.

     1.     Going into or being upon National Forest System lands within the Red-Salmon Fire Complex Closure Area, as described in Exhibit A and shown on Exhibit B. 36 C.F.R. 261.52(e).

     2.     Being on the National Forest System roads listed below and shown on Exhibit B.

     a.      All National Forest System roads within the Red-Salmon Fire Complex Closure Area.

     b.     Forest Road Nos. 07N53 (Grizzly Camp), 07N15 (Fawn Ridge), 10N05 (Upper Leary Creek), 10N01 (Trinity Summit), and 07N10 (Lone Pine Ridge).

     36  C.F.R. 261.54(e).

     3.     Being on the National Forest System trails listed below and show on Exhibit B.

     a.      All National Forest System trails within the Red-Salmon Fire Complex Closure Area.

     b.     Forest Trail Nos. 6E04 (Orleans Mt Trail), 5438 (Nordheimer), 12W08 (East Fork New River), and 12W02 (Salmon Summit).

     36  C.F.R. 261.55(a).

     Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

     1.     Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order.

     2.     Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.

     3.     Owners or lessees of land in the area to the extent necessary to access their property.

     These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A.

   A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both. 16 U.S.C. 551 and 18 U.S.C. 3559, 3571, and 3581.

     

  

Specialized rescue crews key to safety among rugged Klamath Mountains

Full Article with photos
 
The Klamath Mountain Range is a series of steep, remote, rugged peaks and lush, green valleys that has known wildfire since its creation. Born of fire, these forests that make up the Six Rivers, Shasta-Trinity, Klamath and Rogue River-Siskiyou national forests are some of the most difficult places to fight wildfire.

The difficulty of terrain and proclivity for fire in this area pushes the safety of firefighters to the limit. With that in mind, one of the most important safety measures implemented in wildland firefighting is the Rapid Extraction Module – a specially-credentialed team that was originally designed and developed in the Klamath Mountains for the Klamath Mountains and now used and recognized industry wide.

“It came about because of fires here – the REM started here,” said Clayton Thomas, Medical Unit Leader for Central Southern Sierra Incident Management Team 14. He is part of the team charged with suppressing the Red Salmon Complex – a pair of fires burning on the Six Rivers and Shasta-Trinity national forests.

Currently the SMA rapid extraction module out of the Santa Monica area is assigned to the Red Fire. The team is made up of four members – two from Santa Monica Fire Department and two from the El Segundo Fire Department. They’re positioned along the north-northeast side of the fire ready to respond if and when needed. Tony Del Castillo and Nate McIlroy are from El Segundo and run the rigging and ropes. Shane Lawler and Trevor Mustin out of Santa Monica are the over the edge personnel who would be lowered down to extract a patient.

“It’s our mission to know and understand the terrain in case we have to effect a rescue,” said Tony Del Castillo, the unit’s leader and a fire captain back home in El Segundo. “It’s amazing terrain, very challenging but still pretty cool.”

Thomas, a captain and paramedic with the Penn Valley Fire Protection District just north of Sacramento, explained some of the qualifications and specific equipment the teams carry to effectively rescue a firefighter from a variety of situations.

“In California, there’s a standardized equipment list and staffing,” he said. “It’s a four-person module with a team lead who must be engine boss or crew boss qualified, rope rescue qualifications, there’s specifics for the type and length of rope, hardware and equipment. They have to be able to get this equipment to very remote places, very quickly, it’s a ‘rapid’ extraction module not just an extraction module.”

Thomas sat on the statewide committee that standardized the qualifications for positions related to the modules and said that while the requirements are minimum standards, many teams bring much more to the table.

 

 

 

“They’re free to expand the minimum but these are the standards,” he said. “There’s no requirement for EMS on the module but oftentimes – as these generally are structure firefighters – they bring that qualification to the table.”

The SMA REM unit carries a variety of equipment to be prepared for many possible scenarios. Even preparing for the worst though, it’s possible to encounter a situation that calls for more.

“We’re carrying two 150-foot packs, two 300- and two 600-foot packs and I could see us easily exceeding that,” Del Castillo said, speaking of the amount of rope the crew carries. “There’s just so many different angles you have to work with in one mission. Multiple angles, multiple systems, low angle to high angle rescue; it’s a very unique and challenging place.”

It was those unique challenges these mountains provided that were the driving force behind the inception of the module in 2012 while fighting fire on the Fort Complex. Scott McKenney – long-time medical unit leader for California Interagency Incident Management Team 3 – often is credited with the idea.

Part of the difficulty of fighting fires in this area is the weather. More often than not, summer fires here are coupled with inversion layers – slow -moving high pressure systems – which hold the smoke in place over the fire and reduce visibility. That reduced visibility hampers air support, sometimes grounding helicopters and rendering fixed-wing aircraft useless. No air support is dangerous situation for crews on the ground because quick rescue in an emergency might not be an option. 

 Fire Fire behavior is expected to pick up as conditions become hotter and drier. Increased fire growth is anticipated, particularly on the Red Fire along the western and southern flanks.

  Smoke  The heaviest concentrations of smoke will remain in the immediate vicinity of the fire. Forks of Salmon, Orleans, and Somes Bar are likely to be impacted by heavy smoke concentrations, with worst conditions expected in the morning into the afternoon. Smoke is anticipated to disperse to the east and southeast as winds increase in the afternoon. High level haze may be be visible at greater distances throughout the day. Increased smoke production is likely as the fire continues to grow.   Other  Air quality may change unexpectedly.   If you begin to notice health effects from smoke, you are encouraged to follow the "actions to protect yourself" listed below. Always remember, if you smell smoke you are breathing smoke.

  

Red Salmon Complex Morning Update

   Current Situation: 

The Red Salmon Complex is 4,284 acres and 7% contained burning within the Trinity Alps Wilderness on the Six Rivers and Shasta-Trinity National Forests. Firefighters are using direct containment strategies and strengthening indirect lines in the wilderness using minimum impact suppression techniques while continuing to work with resource advisors to avoid disturbance to cultural resources. Firefighters are also opening and strengthening previously constructed control lines from past fires outside the wilderness as contingency lines. California Interagency Incident Management Team 14 continues to make COVID-19 precautions a priority at all incident camps with daily temperature screenings of personnel and implementing measures such as wearing face coverings and social distancing to prevent coronavirus spread. Community and firefighter safety are a top priority of both the incident management team and the national forests.

 

The Red Fire is 3,536 acres and 0% contained. The fire is backing down slope toward Red Cap Creek to the west. Last night crews conducted firing operations along Lubbs Trail and the 10N01 road and then continued south along the Salmon Summit Ridge toward Salmon Mountain. An unmanned aircraft system equipped with an ignition apparatus was utilized to help gain more depth along control lines, further reducing fuels along indirect fireline making it more secure as fire approaches.

 

The Salmon Fire is 748 acres and 7% contained. The fire is spreading south, backing toward control lines in the Eightmile Creek drainage. Firefighters finished fireline construction on the southwest flank from Backbone Ridge down to Eightmile Creek. Crews further strengthened lines along Salmon Summit Ridge and have inserted hose lays from Salmon Summit Ridge down toward Eightmile Creek. Current weather and past fire footprints are helping to reduce the fire spread.

 

Weather: Temperatures remained cool overnight with higher relative humidity, aiding firefighting efforts. High pressure will begin building today, bringing drier air and lower relative humidity through the weekend.

 

Air quality: An air resource advisor is providing daily smoke forecasts and air quality information for the surrounding communities. Refer to fires.airfire.org/outlooks/NWCalifornia.

 

Closures: Big Rock River Access has been closed in the interest of public safety as it is being used as a dip site for helicopter operations in the fire suppression efforts on the Red Salmon Complex.

  

Red Salmon Complex Evening Update

Current Situation:

The Red Salmon Complex is 4,284 acres and 7% contained burning within the Trinity Alps Wilderness on the Six Rivers and Shasta-Trinity National Forests. Today, firefighters used direct containment strategies and strengthened indirect lines in the wilderness using minimum impact suppression techniques while continuing to work with resource advisors to avoid disturbance to cultural resources. Firefighters are opening and strengthening previously constructed control lines from past fires outside the wilderness as contingency lines. California Interagency Incident Management Team 14 continues to make COVID-19 precautions a priority at all incident camps with daily temperature screenings of personnel and implementing measures such as wearing face coverings and social distancing to prevent coronavirus spread. Community and firefighter safety are a top priority of both the incident management team and the national forests.

The Red Fire is 3,536 acres and 0% contained. The fire continues to back down slope toward Red Cap Creek to the west. As slopes warmed up in the afternoon, surface fire increased with small group torching and short, terrain-driven runs. Today, crews continued strengthening line along Lubbs Trail and the 10N01 road

The Salmon Fire is 748 acres and 7% contained. The fire continues its southerly spread backing toward control lines in the Eightmile Creek drainage. Once the inversion layer lifted, aerial resources were able to engage and aid in fire suppression. Firefighters continued direct fireline construction on the southwest flank from Backbone Ridge down to Eightmile Creek. Crews further strengthened lines along Salmon Summit Ridge and utilized hose lays from Salmon Summit Ridge down toward Eightmile Creek. Current weather and past fire footprints are helping to reduce the fire spread.

Weather: Today, temperatures stayed relatively cool with higher relative humidity, aiding fire fighting efforts. High pressure will begin building tonight, bringing drier air and lower relative humidity though the weekend.

Air quality: An air resource advisor is providing daily smoke forecasts and air quality information for the surrounding communities. Refer to fires.airfire.org/outlooks/NWCalifornia.

Closures: Big Rock River Access has been closed in the interest of public safety as it is being used as a dip site for helicopter operations in the fire suppression efforts on the Red Salmon Complex.

Trinity Alps Pack Mules          

(Full story with photos) 

The Shasta-Trinity National Forest has seen many things during its long history, and the Trinity Alps Mule Pack has been an important part of that history.  For more than 70 years, the mules have been hard at work in the Forest doing many important tasks, but one of the more important is their support helping firefighters.

The mules carry on a proud tradition for the forest service and still use skills that pre-date the California gold rush.  Stationed in Weaverville, in a barn built in the 1930’s, the mules got the call this week that they are needed at the Red Salmon Complex Fire located between the Six Rivers and Shasta Trinity National Forests.

The mule team will be used to carry much needed supplies to fire crews that are fighting the wildfires.  Crews are located on the steep and treacherous mountains and camp or “spike out” there overnight to avoid having to travel back and forth daily to the base camp.  Re-supplying the crews can be a tough task that often requires vehicles, or helicopters to do the job, but when the terrain or weather and smoke conditions are unfavorable, the reliable mule team is called in. 

Mules are used for many reasons, as Mike McFadden the mule’s handler explains.  Mules have been called the steadiest, toughest, and smartest of the trail animals.  Mules can carry between 120-150 lbs. of cargo apiece, they are very sure-footed, and frees up the helicopters to do other tasks such as bucket work and crew transport. 

The current stable consists of mules of different ages and personalities and the newest members are named Chicken and Waffles.  This pair was adopted from the San Diego Zoo and they are being trained for the rigors of the trails.  They’re not quite ready for the trails yet, but at just five years old they have a lot of time to learn.  Sophia Ferguson, an apprentice in her second year with the team, has her favorite mule named Otis.  She says the mules all have their own personalities and are very smart.  From affectionate to stubborn and ornery, the handlers and mules form a bond that when on the trail is essential to get the job done.

   These hard working, half horse, half donkey hybrids left Thursday morning, for their two-week assignment. A stock camp will be set up for them to eat and rest and they will embark on one mission a day of supply delivery, just another mission in the long history of the mules and the forest, but a very pivotal piece to the success of the fire suppression. 

  Current Situation: 

The Red Salmon Complex is 4,284 acres and 5% contained while burning within the Trinity Alps Wilderness on the Six Rivers and Shasta-Trinity National Forests. Today, firefighters will use direct containment strategies and strengthen indirect lines in the wilderness using minimum impact suppression techniques while continuing to work with resource advisors to avoid disturbance to cultural resources. Firefighters are opening previously constructed control lines from past fires outside the wilderness as contingency lines. California Interagency Incident Management Team 14 continues to make COVID-19 precautions a priority at all incident camps with daily temperature screenings of personnel and implementing measures such as wearing face coverings and social distancing to prevent coronavirus spread. Community and firefighter safety are a top priority of both the incident management team and the national forests.   The Red Fire is 3,536 acres and 0% contained. The fire is backing in most areas with some small group torching and short, terrain-driven runs. Last night, firing operations could not be conducted because of high relative humidity. Firing operations will be attempted today along the Lubbs Trail and the 10N01 road to connect burn operations along the north flank, further reducing fuels along the indirect fireline making it more secure as fire approaches.   The Salmon Fire is 748 acres and 5% contained. The fire had little growth yesterday, but the south flank is still the most active. Today, firefighters will continue direct fireline on the southwest flank from Backbone Ridge down to Eightmile Creek with the goal of tying those two lines in tonight or tomorrow. Firefighters will further strengthen lines along Salmon Summit Ridge and continue hose lays from Salmon Summit Ridge down towards Eightmile Creek. Current weather and past fire footprints are helping to reduce the fire spread at this time.  

Weather: Cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity will persist through the day making direct fireline constructions easier, however, firing operations harder to accomplish on the north flank. A drying trend is expected to begin tonight and continue through the weekend.  
 
 Air quality: An air quality monitoring specialist is providing daily smoke forecasts and air quality information for the surrounding communities. Refer to fires.airfire.org/outlooks/NWCalifornia.  
 
 Closures: Big Rock River Access has been closed in the interest of public safety as it is being used as a dip site for helicopter operations in the fire suppression efforts on the Red Salmon Complex.

Smoke  Outlook for 8/06 - 8/07 NW California - Red Salmon Complex

 Issued at: 2020-08-06 07:36 PDT

 Fire Moderate fire growth is expected over the next few days as favorable conditions allow firefighters to make continued progress building direct line on the Red Salmon Complex.  

 Smoke  The heaviest concentrations of smoke will remain in the immediate vicinity of the fire for the morning. In the afternoon, smoke will disperse to the east and southeast of the fire. High level haze may be be visible at greater distances. Increased smoke production may occur on Friday due to hotter and drier conditions  

 Other  Air quality may change unexpectedly.   If you begin to notice health effects from smoke, you are encouraged to follow the "actions to protect yourself" listed below. Always remember, if you smell smoke you are breathing smoke.

  Monitoring Wildfire Smoke Air Quality   
  Full story with photos 

Seeing smoke in the air? Do you need to protect yourself?  Air experts on the Red Salmon Complex provide daily smoke forecasts for the region to help you understand what to expect. Air Resource Advisors, Ariane Sarzotti and Adam Simmons, provide daily smoke forecast reports for areas affected by the Red Salmon Complex.

Smoke concentration levels are measured at several mobile and permanent smoke monitors stationed in the general area of the fire.  Air resource advisors position mobile smoke monitors in areas impacted by wildfire smoke. Currently, there are monitors in Orleans, Klamath, Willow Creek, Hoopa, Weitchpec, Weaverville, and additional stations may come online over the next few days.

Air resource advisors work with the incident meteorologist and the fire behavior specialist to integrate monitoring data with weather and fire forecasts to make a projection which is presented on the daily smoke outlook for the fire.  Each monitoring station in the affected area is presented with air quality index predictions and actions to protect yourself. These are Environmental Protection Agency air quality standards based on fine particulate matter thresholds. Air quality index categories are described on the report and they also provide a color-coded reference for each breakpoint.  When conditions warrant, the local health department may issue a public health advisory.

Yesterday (August 4), the skies were hazy in Weaverville and there was a slight smell of smoke.  This is consistent with the forecasted good to moderate air quality.  Forks of Salmon was predicted to have unhealthy for sensitive groups throughout the day due to the proximity of the fire.  Klamath and Crescent City were not expected to be impacted by smoke. This forecast is based on fine particulates only; ozone is not included. Forecasts may be wrong so users are advised to use at their own risk and to use caution as conditions can change quickly.  

For more information about the Red Salmon Complex and for daily Smoke Outlooks https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6891/

Access real time monitoring data (updated hourly) on the NW California Current Outlook website https://fires.airfire.org/outlooks/NWCalifornia

 Current Situation:The Red Salmon Complex is 3,920 acres and 5% contained burning within the Trinity Alps Wilderness on the Six Rivers and Shasta-Trinity National Forests. Firefighters made progress with suppression operations today, utilizing direct containment strategies and strengthening indirect lines in the wilderness using minimum impact suppression techniques and continuing to work with resource advisors to avoid disturbance to cultural resources. Firefighters are opening previously constructed control lines from past fires outside the wilderness as contingency lines.

California Interagency Incident Management Team 14 continues to make COVID-19 precautions a priority at all incident camps with daily screening of personnel and implementing recommended measures to prevent coronavirus spread. Community and firefighter safety are a top priority of both the incident management team and the national forests.

The Red Fire is 3,178 acres and 0% contained. The fire is backing in most areas with some small group torching and short, terrain-driven runs. Tonight, crews are utilizing an Unmanned Aircraft System capable of aerial ignition to conduct firing operations on the north flank of the fire along the Lubbs Trail and the 10N01 road. This further reduces fuels along the indirect fireline making it more secure for when fire approaches. The Salmon Fire is 742 acres and 5% contained. The fire had little growth today, allowing firefighters to build direct fireline on both the southwest and southeast flanks joining at Eightmile Creek. Firefighters also strengthened lines along Salmon Summit Ridge and started hose lays from Salmon Summit Ridge down towards Eightmile Creek. Current weather and past fire footprints are helping to reduce the fire spread at this time. Weather: A weak low pressure held over the area bringing slightly cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity today which will persist through the night. A drying trend is expected to begin tomorrow through the weekend. Air quality: An air quality monitoring specialist is providing daily smoke forecasts and air quality information for the surrounding communities. Refer to fires.airfire.org/outlooks/NWCalifornia. Closures: Big Rock River Access has been closed in the interest of public safety as it is being used as a dip site for helicopter operations in the fire suppression efforts on the Red Salmon Complex.