Cowlitz Complex Fire Update

September 15, 2023

Current Situation: The Cowlitz Complex is 25% contained with a total of 679 acres and 334 personnel. Helicopters dropped water over the Grassy Mountain Fire, which produced increased smoke in the area. There was additional smoke from the Snagtooth and Spencer Quartz fires, and helicopters were deployed to drop water on those fires as well. The increased fire activity was due to a warming and drying trend that is expected through Saturday. Crews continue to improve and build lines to prevent the fires from reaching communities. Current fire activity is not anticipated to threaten the nearest community of Randle, Washington.

See attached photo: A helicopter making one of many repeated trips to and from the Grassy Mountain Fire to the Cowlitz River to collect water.

Firewise Training: There will be a free Firewise training this Saturday, September 16 from 10 am to 12 pm at the Packwood Main Fire Station on State Highway 12.  

Background: There are 30 fires in the complex. The fires started August 25 after a lightning event across the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Maintaining the level of firefighting resources, dedication to safety, and keeping fires in their current footprint remain priorities, as well as continuing to be ready for any new fire starts or spread.

Fire Restrictions: Fire Restrictions remain in effect. Campfires are prohibited across the Gifford Pinchot National Forest – only propane-fueled fire pits, stoves and lanterns are allowed. Additional information is available on the forest’s website at Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Fire Management (usda.gov). The decision to lift or maintain fire restrictions depends on factors such as current and expected weather conditions, fuel moisture, the level of fire activity, and the availability of firefighting resources to respond to additional ignitions.

Closures: In anticipation of ongoing fire activity in the vicinity of the Snagtooth Fire the following roads and trails are closed to the public to reduce exposure and help ensure public and firefighter safety: Forest Roads 9300 and 9341, Boundary Trail #1 (from Elk Pass to intersection with Summit Prairie), Summit Prairie #2, Craggy Peak #3, Snagtooth #4, Quartz #5, Stabler Camp #17, Wright Meadows #80, Basin Camp #3A, Quartz #5B, Quartz #5C (French Creek), Snyder Pasture #80A. Forest Road 8410 is closed for firefighter and public safety in the vicinity of the Pothole Fire, and Forest Road 78 is temporarily closed between the 7802 junction and the 2278 junction due to hazardous debris rolling out onto the roadway.

Temporary Flight Restrictions: Two TFRs are in effect, one located north of US-12 to Mount Rainier National Park, and a new TFR south of US-12 to include Snagtooth and Spencer Quartz fires. Fire aviation response is halted or delayed if an unauthorized aircraft enters the TFR. Temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems or drones. Learn more: Know Before You Fly.

Smith River Complex North

Update for Friday, September 15, 2023

Size: 88,970 total/ 11,811 in Oregon                                             

Start Date:  August 15, 2023

Location: Grants Pass, OR

Containment: 38%

Total personnel: 1,601 for Complex

Cause: Lightning

Resources: 42 crews   11 helicopters   67 engines   11 bulldozers   25 water tenders   13 masticators   1 Skid Steer  
 

Yesterday: In the western portion of the Smith River Complex North, work progressed on the secondary control line along Forest Road 1106. A forest road closure went into effect yesterday to allow the work of large tree removal, brushing, and road improvement to continue safely. Fire activity increased with the hot, dry weather and consumed fuels within the fire perimeter.

Today’s Activities:  The northern edge of the fire is contained and crews are beginning mop up. In the Taylor Creek area on the northwest edge, crews are monitoring fire behavior to find and extinguish remaining heat with support from air operations and bucket drops. On the east side of the fire, Divisions I and K are being combined and crews will focus on suppression repair—chipping excess debris and water-barring dozer lines. Hot, dry conditions continue today and resources are available for initial attack in case of any new starts.

Closures: The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest issued an area and road closure for a 400-yard-wide corridor centered on Forest Road 1106 (South Elk Mountain Road), Forest Road 1205 (Lower Wheeler Road), and Forest Road 1983 (Mt. Emily Road) beginning yesterday, September 14 through October 31, 2023. The closure allows for safe operations related to the Smith River Complex North. Closures on BLM land are in place, as well. Visit bit.ly/RRSNFAlerts or https://www.blm.gov/orwafire for additional information.

Road Closures and Delays: Starting yesterday, Thursday, September 14, Caltrans in Del Norte County issued a schedule of road closures and lane restrictions on US-199. For specific information on road access, please see the Caltrans QuickMap site https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ and Oregon Department of Transportation’s https://www.tripcheck.com/. Local law enforcement cautions against any non-essential traffic along this route. Navigation apps and mapping programs have been routing travelers into active fire areas. Do not use forest roads as alternate routes.

Evacuations: The area east of US-199 from mile post 39 to the Oregon/California border in southwest Josephine County is at Level 1-BE READY; west of US-199 remains in Level 2-GET SET until fire conditions and hazards are further mitigated. Monitor the Rogue Valley Emergency Management site and sign up for evacuation alerts and updates at https://rvem.org/. An interactive Fire First Response Map with evacuation areas can also be found there.

Smoke: Area fires will continue to push smoke offshore and to locations southwest of the Illinois Valley. Increasing surface impacts are expected near O’Brien, Agness, and Cave Junction throughout the day with increasing haze and smoke moving inland in the early evening. Smoke outlooks for the area are available at https://bit.ly/SWORsmoke

Restrictions: Please respect the temporary flight restriction (TFR) established for the Smith River Complex. Keep drones away from firefighting operations and the TFR. If you fly, we can’t. Don’t be the reason a firefighting air mission has to divert! For more information on the TFR, visit https://tfr.faa.gov/.

A flood watch is once again in effect, beginning at noon and lasting into the evening. Residents should be aware of potential debris flows and monitor forecasts for flood warnings. Be prepared to take action should flooding develop and move to higher ground.

Size: 2,843 acres
Start Date: August 16, 2023
Cause: Lightning
Completion: 49%
Total personnel: 160
Location: 11 miles northeast of Young, Arizona and 27 miles
east of Payson, Arizona
Fuels: Ponderosa Pine, Hardwood litter and timber
Highlights: Tonto National Forest Type 3 Fire Management Team will be hosting a community meeting tonight at 6 pm MST. The meeting will be located at the Young Community Center, 47533 N Hwy 288, Young, AZ.
Operations: Yesterday, crews checked the moisture received from the previous rain. Even with the rain, the fire is continuing to creep and smolder in the Southeast section. On FSRD 411, the top duff layer was dry, with moisture still present on the bottom. As conditions dry up today, hand crews and aerial resources will continue the firing operations.
Fire Ecology: Humidity, precipitation, temperature, wind, and cloud cover all affect how long it takes for fuels to dry out enough to burn, but the size, shape, compactness, and arrangement of the fuels also are important. Consider a large log, a few twigs, and a handful of pine needles that have just been through an hour of heavy rain. The pine needles are very thin, and after sitting in the sun for an hour, can dry out enough to burn. The twigs will take a little longer and it may be a day or two before they’re dry enough to burn. It can take over a month for a large log sitting in the same sunny spot to dry completely, though the outside of it may start to burn after just a day. The Valentine is still burning in stump holes, logs, and areas with deep duff. As fuels continue to dry out we expect the fire to ‘wake up’ and start slowly moving around again.
Weather: Yesterday, conditions were mainly dry, with a shower that passed over the fire without any effects. Conditions are expected to remain mostly dry with less chance for showers today and continue through the first part of next week.
Closures: An emergency closure order for the Valentine Fire has gone into effect as of 6 a.m. Sept. 5, 2023. The public is asked to avoid the fire area. The purpose of the closure order is to protect public health and safety during the Valentine Fire, and to protect assigned firefighting personnel engaging in wildland firefighting operations. Signs and gates will be in place to remind the public not to enter the fire area. Please visit the Alerts and Notices page for more information. https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices.
Safety: The health and safety of firefighters, and the public are always the highest priority. Members of the public are asked to avoid the fire area.
Smoke: The fire will produce considerable amount of smoke due excessive fuel accumulation. Smoke from the Valentine Fire may be visible in the surrounding areas for many days. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures an interactive smoke map at https://www.airnow.gov/wildfires/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.
Information Links and Contacts:
Tonto National Forest https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/tonto/fire
InciWeb https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/aztnf-valentine-fire Fire Email 2023.valentine@firenet.gov
Fire Information Line (928)-421-4579 • Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Size: 2,843 acres
Start Date: August 16, 2023
Cause: Lightning
Completion: 49%
Total personnel: 160
Location: 11 miles northeast of Young, Arizona and 27 miles
east of Payson, Arizona
Fuels: Ponderosa Pine, Hardwood litter and timber
Highlights: Tonto National Forest Type 3 Fire Management Team will be hosting a community meeting tonight at 6 pm MST. The meeting will be located at the Young Community Center, 47533 N Hwy 288, Young, AZ.
Operations: Yesterday, crews checked the moisture received from the previous rain. Even with the rain, the fire is continuing to creep and smolder in the Southeast section. On FSRD 411, the top duff layer was dry, with moisture still present on the bottom. As conditions dry up today, hand crews and aerial resources will continue the firing operations.
Fire Ecology: Humidity, precipitation, temperature, wind, and cloud cover all affect how long it takes for fuels to dry out enough to burn, but the size, shape, compactness, and arrangement of the fuels also are important. Consider a large log, a few twigs, and a handful of pine needles that have just been through an hour of heavy rain. The pine needles are very thin, and after sitting in the sun for an hour, can dry out enough to burn. The twigs will take a little longer and it may be a day or two before they’re dry enough to burn. It can take over a month for a large log sitting in the same sunny spot to dry completely, though the outside of it may start to burn after just a day. The Valentine is still burning in stump holes, logs, and areas with deep duff. As fuels continue to dry out we expect the fire to ‘wake up’ and start slowly moving around again.
Weather: Yesterday, conditions were mainly dry, with a shower that passed over the fire without any effects. Conditions are expected to remain mostly dry with less chance for showers today and continue through the first part of next week.
Closures: An emergency closure order for the Valentine Fire has gone into effect as of 6 a.m. Sept. 5, 2023. The public is asked to avoid the fire area. The purpose of the closure order is to protect public health and safety during the Valentine Fire, and to protect assigned firefighting personnel engaging in wildland firefighting operations. Signs and gates will be in place to remind the public not to enter the fire area. Please visit the Alerts and Notices page for more information. https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices.
Safety: The health and safety of firefighters, and the public are always the highest priority. Members of the public are asked to avoid the fire area.
Smoke: The fire will produce considerable amount of smoke due excessive fuel accumulation. Smoke from the Valentine Fire may be visible in the surrounding areas for many days. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures an interactive smoke map at https://www.airnow.gov/wildfires/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.
Information Links and Contacts:
Tonto National Forest https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/tonto/fire
InciWeb https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/aztnf-valentine-fire Fire Email 2023.valentine@firenet.gov
Fire Information Line (928)-421-4579 • Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Louisiana Statewide Burn Ban:  The State Fire Marshal’s Office’s order prohibiting ALL private burning and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry ban on all agricultural burning, remain in effect. These are reevaluated weekly. Open burning with exposed flames is prohibited with no exceptions. The use of prescribed fires is also banned. More information is available at http://sfm.dps.louisiana.gov/doc/press/pr_2023-36.pdf 

Highlights: Higher humidity allowed crews to focus on remaining hot spots on the fires, focusing along the perimeter. Fire activity on the Elizabeth, Hwy 113, and Lions Camp Road Fires was very light yesterday with light rain up to .25” only reaching the Tiger Island Fire.   Ongoing mop-up operations continue on portions of the eastern and southwestern sides of the Tiger Island Fire.  Firefighters continue to monitor, suppress reburn areas and patrol containment lines, removing any needle cast along control lines.  Recurring overnight infrared detection flights have been showing fewer remaining hotspots and those are deep in the interior of the fires and away from containment lines. Excess resources from these fires continue to be reassigned to LDAF for initial attack in the local area.   

Tiger Island Fire: 31,087 acres, no change | 80% containment| 264 personnel assigned 

                Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TigerIslandFire 

                Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/lalas-tiger-island-fire 

Hwy 113 Fire: 7,124 acres, no change | 89% containment | 77 personnel assigned 

                InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/lalas-hwy-113-fire 

                Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/113andLionsCamp 

Lions Camp Road Fire: 785 acres, no change | 88% containment | 19 personnel assigned 

                InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/lalas-lions-camp-road-fire 

                Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/113andLionsCamp 

Elizabeth Fire: 940 acres, no change | 85% containment | 30 personnel assigned 

                InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/lalas-elizabeth-fire 

                Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethFireLa  

Equipment resources assigned to the fires include Type 6 Engines; Dozers; Tractor Plow Units; and Water Tenders. Aerial resources include helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. Additional support is being provided by Parish authorities and departments; Sheriff’s Offices; and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. 

Weather & Fire Behavior: Today will transition from rain potential, to slowly warming and lowering relative humidity, with sun, although there is potential for scattered showers. The rain that did occur yesterday barely moved the drought index but did temporarily increase relative humidity. This drying trend will continue through the next several days. If afternoon thunderstorms do occur, expect strong erratic winds that could hasten needle-cast and increase reburn potential. 

Air Quality: Smoke may occur in areas of reburn. Air quality information is available at the EPA’s Fire and Smoke Map at: https://fire.airnow.gov/ . 

Temporary Flight Restriction: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the Tiger Island Fire and Hwy 113 and Elizabeth Fire areas. If you fly, we can’t. Aircraft or drone intrusions into the restricted airspace endangers aircrews conducting fire operations and aerial resources are grounded for safety. This unnecessarily places aircrews and ground fire crews at risk in a dynamic and dangerous fire environment. 

#### 

Tiger Island Fire Information

Phone: 318-239-9263

Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/lalas-tiger-island-fire

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TigerIslandFire

Louisiana Statewide Burn Ban:  The State Fire Marshal’s Office’s order prohibiting ALL private burning and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry ban on all agricultural burning, remain in effect. These are reevaluated weekly. Open burning with exposed flames is prohibited with no exceptions. The use of prescribed fires is also banned. More information is available at http://sfm.dps.louisiana.gov/doc/press/pr_2023-36.pdf 

Highlights: Higher humidity allowed crews to focus on remaining hot spots on the fires, focusing along the perimeter. Fire activity on the Elizabeth, Hwy 113, and Lions Camp Road Fires was very light yesterday with light rain up to .25” only reaching the Tiger Island Fire.   Ongoing mop-up operations continue on portions of the eastern and southwestern sides of the Tiger Island Fire.  Firefighters continue to monitor, suppress reburn areas and patrol containment lines, removing any needle cast along control lines.  Recurring overnight infrared detection flights have been showing fewer remaining hotspots and those are deep in the interior of the fires and away from containment lines. Excess resources from these fires continue to be reassigned to LDAF for initial attack in the local area.   

Tiger Island Fire: 31,087 acres, no change | 80% containment| 264 personnel assigned 

                Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TigerIslandFire 

                Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/lalas-tiger-island-fire 

Hwy 113 Fire: 7,124 acres, no change | 89% containment | 77 personnel assigned 

                InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/lalas-hwy-113-fire 

                Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/113andLionsCamp 

Lions Camp Road Fire: 785 acres, no change | 88% containment | 19 personnel assigned 

                InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/lalas-lions-camp-road-fire 

                Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/113andLionsCamp 

Elizabeth Fire: 940 acres, no change | 85% containment | 30 personnel assigned 

                InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/lalas-elizabeth-fire 

                Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethFireLa  

Equipment resources assigned to the fires include Type 6 Engines; Dozers; Tractor Plow Units; and Water Tenders. Aerial resources include helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. Additional support is being provided by Parish authorities and departments; Sheriff’s Offices; and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. 

Weather & Fire Behavior: Today will transition from rain potential, to slowly warming and lowering relative humidity, with sun, although there is potential for scattered showers. The rain that did occur yesterday barely moved the drought index but did temporarily increase relative humidity. This drying trend will continue through the next several days. If afternoon thunderstorms do occur, expect strong erratic winds that could hasten needle-cast and increase reburn potential. 

Air Quality: Smoke may occur in areas of reburn. Air quality information is available at the EPA’s Fire and Smoke Map at: https://fire.airnow.gov/ . 

Temporary Flight Restriction: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the Tiger Island Fire and Hwy 113 and Elizabeth Fire areas. If you fly, we can’t. Aircraft or drone intrusions into the restricted airspace endangers aircrews conducting fire operations and aerial resources are grounded for safety. This unnecessarily places aircrews and ground fire crews at risk in a dynamic and dangerous fire environment. 

#### 

Tiger Island Fire Information

Phone: 318-239-9263

Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/lalas-tiger-island-fire

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TigerIslandFire

Louisiana Statewide Burn Ban:  The State Fire Marshal’s Office’s order prohibiting ALL private burning and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry ban on all agricultural burning, remain in effect. These are reevaluated weekly. Open burning with exposed flames is prohibited with no exceptions. The use of prescribed fires is also banned. More information is available at http://sfm.dps.louisiana.gov/doc/press/pr_2023-36.pdf 

Highlights: Higher humidity allowed crews to focus on remaining hot spots on the fires, focusing along the perimeter. Fire activity on the Elizabeth, Hwy 113, and Lions Camp Road Fires was very light yesterday with light rain up to .25” only reaching the Tiger Island Fire.   Ongoing mop-up operations continue on portions of the eastern and southwestern sides of the Tiger Island Fire.  Firefighters continue to monitor, suppress reburn areas and patrol containment lines, removing any needle cast along control lines.  Recurring overnight infrared detection flights have been showing fewer remaining hotspots and those are deep in the interior of the fires and away from containment lines. Excess resources from these fires continue to be reassigned to LDAF for initial attack in the local area.   

Tiger Island Fire: 31,087 acres, no change | 80% containment| 264 personnel assigned 

                Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TigerIslandFire 

                Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/lalas-tiger-island-fire 

Hwy 113 Fire: 7,124 acres, no change | 89% containment | 77 personnel assigned 

                InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/lalas-hwy-113-fire 

                Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/113andLionsCamp 

Lions Camp Road Fire: 785 acres, no change | 88% containment | 19 personnel assigned 

                InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/lalas-lions-camp-road-fire 

                Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/113andLionsCamp 

Elizabeth Fire: 940 acres, no change | 85% containment | 30 personnel assigned 

                InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/lalas-elizabeth-fire 

                Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethFireLa  

Equipment resources assigned to the fires include Type 6 Engines; Dozers; Tractor Plow Units; and Water Tenders. Aerial resources include helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. Additional support is being provided by Parish authorities and departments; Sheriff’s Offices; and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. 

Weather & Fire Behavior: Today will transition from rain potential, to slowly warming and lowering relative humidity, with sun, although there is potential for scattered showers. The rain that did occur yesterday barely moved the drought index but did temporarily increase relative humidity. This drying trend will continue through the next several days. If afternoon thunderstorms do occur, expect strong erratic winds that could hasten needle-cast and increase reburn potential. 

Air Quality: Smoke may occur in areas of reburn. Air quality information is available at the EPA’s Fire and Smoke Map at: https://fire.airnow.gov/ . 

Temporary Flight Restriction: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the Tiger Island Fire and Hwy 113 and Elizabeth Fire areas. If you fly, we can’t. Aircraft or drone intrusions into the restricted airspace endangers aircrews conducting fire operations and aerial resources are grounded for safety. This unnecessarily places aircrews and ground fire crews at risk in a dynamic and dangerous fire environment. 

#### 

Tiger Island Fire Information

Phone: 318-239-9263

Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/lalas-tiger-island-fire

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TigerIslandFire

SMITH RIVER COMPLEX—SOUTH
Incident Update Date: 9/14/23

Location: Six Rivers National Forest
Size: 87,740 acres
Percent Contained: 29%
Cause: Lightning
Start Date: Tuesday, August 15, 2023, 6:01 PM
Vegetation: Timber (Litter and Understory) and Brush
Number of Personnel Assigned: 1,715

ANNOUNCEMENT: Beginning Thursday, September 14, US 199 in Del Norte County will be fully closed 
twice daily, Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 11 AM and from 1 PM. to 4 PM. During all open 
hours, traffic will be one-way and piloted between Madrona and Oregon Mountain Road. Motorists 
should anticipate delays during all open hours. Caltrans provides information on current highway conditions online (roads.dot.ca.gov), by phone (800-427-7623), and on Facebook (facebook.com/CaltransD1).

CURRENT SITUATION: With noticeably drier, warmer, weather crews observed some increased fire 
activity on Wednesday, particularly on the southwest side of the fire near Coon Creek where fire 
advanced up a south-facing hill. The fire remained active into the late evening hours, and 
night-shift crews contained three small spot fires. Along US 199, crews finished a firing 
operation. The highway corridor remains a high priority and crews will continue extinguishing 
hotspots and reducing hazards for a few more days. On eastern side from Idylwild toward Washington 
Flat, crews suppressed areas of heat directly on the fireline. On the southeast side of the fire 
crews continued constructing a shaded fuel break. Near the fire’s southwestern perimeter, crews 
completed a successful firing operation around Coon Creek, which they will continue to monitor and 
mopup lingering areas of heat. On the western perimeter near Stoney Creek, helicopters conducted 
water drops, which reduced the fire’s intensity in an area with many stumps and large logs. On the 
Hurdy Gurdy Fire, crews looked for places to directly suppress the fire, mopped up hotspots, and 
evaluated existing line.

Crews are expecting conditions to become more favorable for their planned burning operations 
through the weekend. Work priorities for Thursday continue to be the US 199 corridor, Stoney Creek, 
and southeast side where the Fulton Hotshots will attempt to use direct suppression tactics.
WEATHER: Very hot, dry conditions are expected Thursday, with temperatures 10 degrees above normal 
and humidities in the teens, creating conditions for moderate fire behavior that will persist 
through the weekend. Winds will be mainly terrain driven, upslope and up-valley, and generally no 
more than 12 miles per hour. Seasonal weather conditions should return early next week. Expected 
temperatures are forecasted at 88 to 94 degrees today with low relative humidity ranging 17 to 25 
percent.

EVACUATIONS: Information about current evacuation status can be found on the interactive evacuation 
map: tinyurl.com/29vv2wpm. Some Del Norte County evacuation zones remain under either a Level 2 
(Get Set) or Level 1 (Get Ready) evacuation order.

AIR QUALITY: Smoke Outlooks with air quality and forecast information are available here: 
tinyurl.com/258mfms3.

FOREST CLOSURE: Six Rivers National Forest lands, roads, trails, and recreation sites in the 
vicinity of the complex are closed (Forest Order No. 10-23-06). View the Order and closure map on 
the Forest’s website: tinyurl.com/4atens8c.

Fire Information: 707-383-9727
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Email: 2023.SmithRiverComplex@firenet.gov Incident Website: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident- 
information/casrf-smith-river-complex-
facebook.com/SixRiversNF youtube.com/@smithrivercomplex-srf

Louisiana Statewide Burn Ban:  The State Fire Marshal’s Office’s order prohibiting ALL private burning and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry ban on all agricultural burning, remain in effect. These are reevaluated weekly. Open burning with exposed flames is prohibited with no exceptions. The use of prescribed fires is also banned. More information is available at http://sfm.dps.louisiana.gov/doc/press/pr_2023-36.pdf 

Highlights: Higher humidity allowed crews to focus on remaining hot spots on the fires, focusing along the perimeter. Fire activity on the Elizabeth, Hwy 113, and Lions Camp Road Fires was very light yesterday with light rain up to .25” only reaching the Tiger Island Fire.   Ongoing mop-up operations continue on portions of the eastern and southwestern sides of the Tiger Island Fire.  Firefighters continue to monitor, suppress reburn areas and patrol containment lines, removing any needle cast along control lines.  Recurring overnight infrared detection flights have been showing fewer remaining hotspots and those are deep in the interior of the fires and away from containment lines. Excess resources from these fires continue to be reassigned to LDAF for initial attack in the local area.   

Tiger Island Fire: 31,087 acres, no change | 80% containment| 264 personnel assigned 

                Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TigerIslandFire 

                Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/lalas-tiger-island-fire 

Hwy 113 Fire: 7,124 acres, no change | 89% containment | 77 personnel assigned 

                InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/lalas-hwy-113-fire 

                Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/113andLionsCamp 

Lions Camp Road Fire: 785 acres, no change | 88% containment | 19 personnel assigned 

                InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/lalas-lions-camp-road-fire 

                Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/113andLionsCamp  

Elizabeth Fire: 940 acres, no change | 85% containment | 30 personnel assigned 

                InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/lalas-elizabeth-fire 

                Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethFireLa  

Equipment resources assigned to the fires include Type 6 Engines; Dozers; Tractor Plow Units; and Water Tenders. Aerial resources include helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. Additional support is being provided by Parish authorities and departments; Sheriff’s Offices; and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. 

Weather & Fire Behavior: Today will transition from rain potential, to slowly warming and lowering relative humidity, with sun, although there is potential for scattered showers. The rain that did occur yesterday barely moved the drought index but did temporarily increase relative humidity. This drying trend will continue through the next several days. If afternoon thunderstorms do occur, expect strong erratic winds that could hasten needle-cast and increase reburn potential. 

Air Quality: Smoke may occur in areas of reburn. Air quality information is available at the EPA’s Fire and Smoke Map at: https://fire.airnow.gov/ . 

Temporary Flight Restriction: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the Tiger Island Fire and Hwy 113 and Elizabeth Fire areas. If you fly, we can’t. Aircraft or drone intrusions into the restricted airspace endangers aircrews conducting fire operations and aerial resources are grounded for safety. This unnecessarily places aircrews and ground fire crews at risk in a dynamic and dangerous fire environment.