UPDATE: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 9:40 AM ... Today residents and firefighters will be facing their third straight day of triple-digit temperatures, low humidity, and smoke inversions.
Air quality remains 'hazardous' in Willow Creek, Burnt Ranch, Hyampom, and Hayfork. Mad River and Hoopa air quality is considered 'very unhealthy'.
Containment for the five major wildfires ranges from 20 (Denny area) to 65 percent (Ruth Lake).
DENNY (River Complex; 530-276-8559)
Acres = 45,477
Containment = 20%
Personnel = 750
Thick smoke has hampered air support and made nighttime infrared mapping of hot spots essential.
Patrol activity is focused on protecting structures in Denny and keeping the fire north of Ironside Mountain Road.
Information on road closures, evacuations, and support services are HERE.
Air Quality information HERE.
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SOUTH COMPLEX (530-628-0093)
Acres = 22,367
Containment = 40%
Personnel = 1,130
Much of the southern flank of the Pattison Fire is uncontrolled. It continues to progress southward to both sides of Gates Creek.
An inversion layer has severely restricted air support.
Information on road closures, evacuations, and support services areHERE.
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HAYFORK (Fork Complex; 530-324-5145)
Acres = 35,165
Containment = 52%
Personnel = 1,728
MANDATORY EVACUATIONS continue for residences along Tule Creek and Wildwood. Residents must show proof of residency to pass through road closures.
The east side of the Shiell Fire remains quite active.
Today is the first day of school for area schools and drivers are reminded to be particularly alert given increased fire response traffic and visibility compromised by smoke.
Information on EVACUATIONS and ROAD CLOSURES HERE.
Air Quality information HERE.
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ROUTE COMPLEX(707-574-6865)
Acres = 33,962
Containment = 37%
Personnel = 893
This afternoon the humidity is expected to drop into single digits and there is a risk of headfire runs due to downslope winds.
The Johnson Fire is 29 percent contained. Crews conducted successful burnout operations on the north end moving some portions of the fire toward holding status.
The majority of the east side of the fire near Hyampom is in holding status. Crews have made significant progress securing and preparing line on the western side of the Johnson Fire for a planned burnout. Continued burnout operations are planned for the south end of the fire.
Information on road closures and evacuations are HERE.
Air Quality information HERE.
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RUTH (Mad River Complex; 707-574-6289)
Acres = 26,462
Containment = 65%
Personnel = 1,051
The Lassic Fire remains very active. It crossed Road 1S07 on the east side of the fire. It has also spotted across the Little Van Duzen River on the south side where it has the potential to make uphill runs.
An increase in humidity tonight may help moderate fire activity but remain below under 50 percent.
Up-to-date ROAD CLOSURES and EVACUATIONS HERE.
Air Quality information HERE.
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UPDATE: TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 9:40 AM ... National Guard troops trained in firefighting will arrive today to assist with the fires near Hayfork and Hyampom.
Very hot and dry conditions will persist today with humidity hovering around 15 percent and strong upper level winds expected from the northwest. Humidity is not expected to drop much this evening which may result in increased fire activity overnight.
Trinity County fires now account for over 40 percent of the acreage burned (approximately 365,000 acres total) by California wildfires.
DENNY(River Complex; 530-276-8559)
Acres = 43,144
Containment = 18%
Personnel = 818
An increase in fire activity challenged containment along the southeast perimeter as crews fought to keep the blaze north of the 5N18 Road.
The western flank may be held to a point where only patrol status is needed.
A contingency line is being constructed along the northwest perimeter to protect Hoopa Tribal land.
Information on road closures, evacuations, and support services are HERE.
Air Quality information HERE.
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SOUTH COMPLEX (530-628-0093)
Acres = 21,629
Containment = 35%
Personnel = 1,154
A strong inversion yesterday moderated fire activity. Progress was made in containment of the Castle Fire from Garrett road to the South Fork of the Trinity River.
Firing operations south of Corral Bottom Road and north of the Pattison Fire maintained a key containment line
National Guard firefighters reassigned from the Rocky and Jerusalem fires near Clear Lake are expected to arrive today at the South Complex Incident Command.
Information on road closures, evacuations, and support services areHERE.
Air Quality information HERE.
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HAYFORK (Fork Complex; 530-324-5145)
Acres = 35,097
Containment = 52%
Personnel = 1,860
Approximately 200 National Guard firefighters reassigned from the Rocky and Jerusalem fires near Clear Lake are expected to arrive today.
Crews have been successful in keeping the Peak Fire around Tule Creek drainage from spreading.
The Shiell Fire had increased activity yesterday but stayed within contingency lines.
Information on road closures, evacuations, and support services are HERE.
Air Quality information HERE.
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ROUTE COMPLEX (707-574-6865)
Acres = 31,487
Containment = 33%
Personnel = 935
Successful burnout operations were conducted yesterday on the south and east flanks of the Johnson Fire.
Most of the east side of the fire near Hyampom is now in patrol status.
Buck Fire has complete containment.
Persistent low nighttime humidity is expected to generate more fire activity this evening.
Information on road closures, evacuations, and support services are HERE.
Air Quality information HERE.
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RUTH LAKE (Mad River Complex; 707-574-6289)
Acres = 24,836
Containment = 65%
Personnel = 1,051
The Pickett Fire continues to back down toward Highway 36 and trigger hazardous debris.
The Lassic Fire is spreading to the south, east, and west with spot activity crossing the Little Van Duzen River to the west.
There is a NEW EVACUATION for residents along Road 1S14. Other evacuations and road closures HERE.
Air Quality information HERE.
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MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 12:30 PM ... As the Trinity County fires in northwestern California approach 150,000 acres burned, residents and fire crews will be further tested today with triple-digit temperatures and air quality forecast to be in the unhealthy to hazardous range.
Highs are expected to remain above 100 degrees through Wednesday. Winds are expected to be light and not disperse accumulating smoke. All five fire complexes will have air quality in the unhealthy to hazardous range. Unhealthy air is also expected in Eureka, Hoopa, Orleans, Weitchpec, and Willow Creek.
DENNY(River Complex; 530-276-8559)
Acres = 39,445
Containment = 18%
Personnel = 840
Today crews will focus on preventing northwest spread of the fire. Yesterday aircraft support was limited by smoke.
Today crews will continue to patrol the Denny area and try to keep the fire on the north side of Ironside Mountain Road.
Information on road closures, evacuations, and support services are HERE.
Air Quality information HERE.
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SOUTH COMPLEX (530-628-0093)
Acres = 20,978
Containment = 35%
Personnel = 1,131
A heavy smoke inversion moderated fire activity yesterday, but grounded support helicopters for most of the day.
The Castle Fire line held near Garrett Road.
Information on road closures, evacuations, and support services are HERE.
Air Quality information HERE.
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HAYFORK (Fork Complex; 530-324-5145)
Acres = 33,473
Containment = 52%
Personnel = 2,259
Significant gains in containment were made. The Barker and Blue Fires remained relatively quiet, while the northwest flank of the Peak Fire remains active and a major focus of firefighters.
Information on road closures, evacuations, and support services are HERE.
Air Quality information HERE.
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ROUTE COMPLEX (707-574-6865)
Acres = 28,861
Containment = 30%
Personnel = 907
Firefighters conducted successful burnout operations on the south side of the Johnson Fire near Hyampom.
The Buck Fire has complete containment lines.
Information on road closures, evacuations, and support services are HERE.
Air Quality information HERE.
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RUTH (Mad River Complex; 707-574-6289)
Acres = 23,628
Containment = 65%
Personnel = 1,170
The Lassic Fire has been quite active with tree-torching near Signal Peak.
Firefighters worked along the Little Van Duzen River drainage yesterday to limit westward spread of the fire.
Information on road closures, evacuations, and support services are HERE.
Air Quality information HERE.
