Wildfires are currently ravaging Northern California in the aftermath of lightning strikes. The largest fire, known as the Smith River complex, has already engulfed over 40,000 acres and remains uncontained. The blaze has prompted mandatory evacuation orders for a significant portion of northeast Del Norte County. Additionally, numerous other fires are burning in the region.
Smith River Complex
Firefighting personnel are facing a multitude of challenges due to complex weather conditions and difficult terrain, as outlined in a morning briefing on Tuesday. Nic Elmquist, a fire behavior analyst, stated during the briefing that even if the complex was just one fire, the Kelly fire, it would still be considered complex. However, upon arrival, there were already 12 fires. Elmquist also mentioned that from an aerial perspective, it appears that the fires are merging and growing together. In fact, two of the larger fires in the complex, the Kelly and Holiday fires, recently merged. The Kelly fire, which resulted in the closure of state Route 199 last week, expanded southwestward by 2.5 miles on Tuesday morning. The U.S. Forest Service reported the growth. Presently, there are over 1,150 personnel working on the complex, with more expected to arrive soon. Although strong northeast winds impacted the fire area overnight, an inversion settled in, reducing fire activity in most of the complex yesterday. The briefing noted favorable firefighting weather for Tuesday, though gentle dry winds are expected during the night, mainly at ridge tops. Cooler weather and cloud cover have aided firefighting efforts due to the remnants of Hurricane Hilary, but a warming trend is anticipated in the coming days. Nick Cleary, a state official, reported during the morning briefing that precautionary measures have been taken near the evacuated town of Gasquet, which includes the establishment of a dozer line to the north. Efforts have also been made to safeguard nearby historic buildings. Cleary mentioned that crews were withdrawn from several fires due to increased activity in the Kelly Fire, while others were removed from unsafe situations. Unfortunately, some fires are presently being left unattended. A dozer line is currently being constructed in the north section of the complex, specifically from Monkey Creek Ridge to state Route 199. The briefing highlighted the development of a plan for coordinated structure protection if there is significant fire movement towards residential areas. Firefighters are assessing structures in the Dwight Creek area and preparing structures in Elk Creek. On Monday, favorable weather conditions allowed firefighters to concentrate on preparing structures along Route 199. The American Red Cross has set up a shelter at the Del Norte County Fairgrounds. The Del Norte Office of Emergency Services is responsible for issuing evacuation orders and providing information to those affected by the fire. Due to the fires, the opening of certain Del Norte County schools has been postponed.
Lightning Complex
Firefighting efforts closer to the Humboldt County coast have made progress, as reported by the U.S. Forest Service. Dennis Burns, a fire behavior analyst, stated during a Tuesday morning briefing that firefighters have achieved substantial progress in containing the Lone Pine Fire, which is located south of Hoopa and spans an estimated 1,678 acres as of Wednesday. Burns expressed confidence in the containment efforts for the Lone Pine Fire. Crews have been working towards pushing the fire towards the mainstem Trinity River in a planned backing alignment, while also maintaining current lines. Mop-up activities have commenced. The Pearch Fire, situated east of Orleans, has resulted in an evacuation warning for Orleans and Somes Bar, affecting just over 200 residents. The fire is estimated to cover around 981 acres and is moving towards the north fork of Boise Creek. Structure personnel are assessing and preparing homes in the affected area. Two fires within the Redwood National and State Parks lands have been contained, while the Lost Fire remains active at approximately 529 acres. Efforts are underway to prevent the fire from spreading to the old growth forest, with Cal Fire and Green Diamond Resource Co. collaborating on suppression endeavors. Firefighting operations are also ongoing for the Mosquito Fire, estimated to cover 1,061 acres. Closures are currently in effect for the Six Rivers National Forest, and outdoor activities are strongly discouraged due to the hazards posed by wildfires and poor air quality. Similar closures have been implemented for the Lost Man Trail in Redwood National and State Parks. For zone information concerning Humboldt and Siskiyou Counties, please visit https://protect.genasys.com.
South Fork
As of Tuesday, the South Fork Complex is 20% contained overall. Construction of a dozer line for the 3-9 fire, the largest fire within the complex, is underway and currently at 9% containment. The majority of resources for the complex have been assigned to this fire. According to a news release, Monday’s rainfall has dampened fuels, resulting in cooler conditions for parts of the Pilot Fire, with successful handline operations. However, the release noted that the fuels will dry out over the next few days, which could potentially intensify fire behavior.
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