[UPDATE 10:08 p.m.] Day 17: Lighting Fires

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The Peak Fire along Salt Creek, 3 miles south of Hayfork. [Photo by Gary Robertson, see more of his images of the fires here.]

The fires still continue to burn forcing new evacuations almost every day. We still keep the information rolling. As we update each incident until late evening, we’ll note the time the facts were posted so you can quickly see if there is something new. Look for the most recent general updates on the bottom but new information for individual fires are posted in the summaries below in blue.  (Newest maps of the fires here.) Those that have expanded 20% or more will have their acreage in red bold type. 

  • Firefighters Rescue momma dog and pups  in the Fork Complex. [Photo from InciWeb]

    Firefighters Rescue momma dog and pups in the Fork Complex. [Photo from InciWeb]

    Fork Complex (Trinty Pines and north to Hayfork):(Current as of 8:20 p.m.) 32,476 acres burned and 42% contained. Structures Destroyed: Residences 8, other buildings 4, Firefighter injuries to date: 6, Total Personnel:2,470. “Further evacuations are being planned and evaluated.” (More info here.)
    • Gasquet Fire: (Current as of 7:35 p.m.) 3761 acres burned and 23% containment [Note: containment went down]. “Gasquet Fire Complex Base Camp Tour Saturday, August 15th 10 a.m. and Noon Park at Gasquet Bible Church (Located at 1340 Gasquet Flat Rd.)” (More info here)
    • Humboldt Complex (Alderpoint and surroundings):(Current as of 6:30 p.m.) 4,883 acres burned and 85% contained. Structures Destroyed: 1 residence, 6 outbuildings. Firefighter injuries to date: 14, Total Personnel: 1,728. “Fire growth is not anticipated on the Blocksburg, Bluford, Dobbyn, Steelhead, Wildcat or Winchester Fires.” Note that the Pine Fire is not listed here. (More info here)
    • Jerusalem Fire (Lake County): (Current as of 6:25 p.m.) 25,146 acres burned and 80% containment. Structures burned: residences, 18 outbuildings.  “All evacuations and road closures have been lifted.” (More info here.) Telephone number (707) 967-4208
    • Structure protection in Forest Glen. [Photo from InciWeb]

      Structure protection in Forest Glen. [Photo from InciWeb]

      Mad River Complex (Ruth Lake and Surroundings):(Current as of 8:05 p.m.) 22,427 acres burned and 60% contained. Estimated Cost to Date: $20.2 million Injuries:5 Total Personnel: 1,227 Structures Destroyed: 2 residences, 2 outbuildings.

Pickett Fire (10,380 acres): Today crews made good progress in using defensive firing operations …Gobbler Fire (8,287 acres): …The Gobbler fire is now 100-percent-contained and no increase in size is anticipated. Lassic Fire (3,760 acres): Relative humidity in the teens resulted in the fire being quite active today. Crews held the fire and were able to prevent it from spreading north out of the Blanket Creek drainage.” (More info here) Telephone number for the public information officer is 707-574-6289.

  • River Complex:(Current as of 8:00 p.m.) 35,974 burned and 18% contained. Total Personnel: 699. “Fire will continue to progress however most of the active fire areas are in a backing alignment.” (More info here.) Telephone number for the public information officer 530-276-8559. Estimated containment: October 01st, 2015
  • Route Complex (south and west of Hyampom and Buck Mt. area):(Current as of 5:18 p.m.) 26,960 acres burned and 28% contained. Structures destroyed: 2 outbuildings. Total Personnel: 915. “Priority is to continue preparations for planned burn out operation on the west side of Pilot Creek.” (More info here.) Telephone number for the public information officer is 707-574-6865.
  • South Complex (north and west of Hyampom):(Current as of 7:40 p.m.) 19,412 acres burned and 25% containment. “A heavy inversion layer stayed over the area for most of the day, and the Castle Fire showed little activity until late afternoon. Crews held the fire on the dozer line behind the structures on Garrett Road and firefighters slowly walked fire down the hill from the ridge down to the structures on the road, staying ahead of the active front and using favorable winds to lessen the impact of the fire.” (More info here)

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Here’s our tools to keep you abreast of what’s happening:

Newest Info: Next, the twitter feed near the bottom right of our home page is continuously updated with the latest tweets from Cal Fire, other local news organizations, the National Weather Service, etc.

Above that are two scanner feeds–one that will take you to Eureka/north coverage. The other that will take you to Eureka/south coverage.

Past Info: Reminder, at the bottom of this post under Earlier Chapters are links to our previous coverage. Much of it still very relevant. Particularly note our newest fire maps. 

Don’t miss a post: In our right hand column is a subscribe box (for those accessing on mobiles, scroll down to the bottom and the box is just above recent posts.) Fill that out and a link to every story will appear in your email.

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UPDATE 9:36 a.m.: From Terri at KMUD:

UPDATE 10:47 a.m.: For a map and description of the areas closed to hunters, campers, etc. click here.

UPDATE 12:30 p.m: Press release from Humboldt State University:

This past weekend Humboldt State University opened the doors of Redwood Hall to over 300 firefighters working on the Humboldt Complex fires.

Firefighters working on CAL FIRE incidents typically work 24 hour shifts. After such hours firefighters are in need of lodging that promotes rest, relaxation, and rehabilitation, so that firefighters are ready to go for the next shift. A big part of that comes in the form of beds and cool rooms. Due to a combination of logistical difficulties and an influx of visitors to the area, securing enough lodging over the weekend proved to be a difficult task. That’s when Humboldt State University stepped in.

The staff of Humboldt State’s Housing and Dining was very eager to help. The Housing Department was willing to work extra hours to make sure the firefighters had the rooms and facilities they needed. The staff at The J, one of the campus’ dining facilities, was willing to stay open extra hours to ensure the firefighters were well fed.

By opening the doors of Redwood Hall and The J, over 300 firefighters were able to get the rest they needed to get back out on the line and continue combating the fires in the area of Bridgeville, Blocksburg, Alderpoint, and Zenia. The fires currently stand at a cumulative 4,883 acres and are 80% contained.

UPDATE 12:40 p.m.: Click the photos for a look at air quality.

UPDATE 1:10 p.m.: More about the smoke.

UPDATE 2:07 p.m.

UPDATE 5:15 p.m.: To really understand how the fires have swallowed entire mountains, you need to see these animated time-lapse maps. The one of the fire near Denny is terrifying.  Check them out here.

UPDATE 10:08 p.m.: The River Complex east of Willow Creek near Denny is now the largest fire this year on California’s US Forest Service lands. Click here for more.

Earlier Chapters:

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22 Comments
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ED Denson
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ED Denson
8 years ago

I’m sure it is a small point to everyone but the Colemans, but their house was burned down by the Humboldt Complex fire around Casterlin road, very early in the history of that fire. The photos are dramatic. I have notified CalFire about this so they can update their information and quit listing the structure damage as limited to outbuildings. They gave me some bureaucratic nonsense which showed me that the person to whom I was speaking was not in the loop of CalFire information and was just tossing excuses at me to get me off the phone.

ED Denson
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ED Denson
8 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Well, that’ll teach me to read everything before complaining. I’m pretty sure the residence listed is theirs – haven’t heard of any others and the local bush telegraph is pretty fast (if not always entirely accurate). My face is red, but color Kelly Coleman satisfied.

Hunanityfirst
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Hunanityfirst
8 years ago

I think you Kym are doing great in reporting all the stuff going on with the fires and beyond. I love this page. Kym, is there anyway I can edit my name Hunanityfirst. It is suppose to be Humanityfirst 🙂 I have looked and looked for a way and can’t find one.

Hunanityfirst
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Hunanityfirst
8 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

I can’t even find a place to log off lol. I will just wait until you re-do, thanks Kym.

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Janette
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Janette
8 years ago

That’s my Grandpa’s house! Keep him safe for me 🙂

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