[UPDATE 10:31 p.m.] Day 28: Lightning Fires

Wednesday, 26 August 2015, 8:11 am Kym Kemp 9 comments

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A new fire broke out yesterday afternoon near Weaverville. By dark the blaze had consumed about 180 acres. [Photo by Jed Medin]

As we go into the fourth week of smoke and flames, we have one large new fire, the Democrat Incident, burning west of Weaverville. Below we have our regular summary of each fire and then further down we have any new information coming in throughout the day that you need to know.

When we update each incident, 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 is 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.

Democrat Fire (west of Weaverville): (Current as of 6:45 p.m.) 128 acres and 50% contained. “Firefighters continue to mop up and strengthen containment lines in addition to quickly containing spot fires throughout the day.” Public Information Line: (530) 225-2510.
Horse Fire (northeast of Shelter Cove): (Current as of 5:45 p.m.) 146 acres and 92% contained. Total Fire Personnel: 504. “A large demobilization of excess resources was conducted today. The fire suppression repair plan continues. CAL FIRE Incident Management Team 5 remains at base camp to support the incident and personnel. Strengthening of containment lines will continue throughout the night. Lack of available water sources due to extreme drought conditions has prompted the incident to work with local communities to utilize reclaimed water for incident support needs. Although there is no longer smoke visible from the Horse Fire, residents and commuters should be aware of drift smoke from other established wildland fires in the region.” (More info here.) Fire Information Line: 925-588-9192
Fork Complex (Trinty Pines and north to Hayfork):(Current as of 8 p.m.) 36,499 acres burned and 90% contained. Structures Destroyed: Residences 8, other buildings 4, Firefighter injuries to date: 12, Total Personnel:667. “Fire behavior is expected to continue to be minimal as containment continues to be successful. Expect slower fire growth with mostly surface fire spread in unburned pockets.” (More info here.)
Gasquet Fire: (Current as of 7 p.m.) 19,436 acres burned and 24% containment. Total Personnel: 691. Injuries: 6. “Trend towards cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity… Bear Fire – 5,984 acres 12% containment. Coon Fire – 5,615 acres 59% Containment Peak Fire – 6,939 acres 6% containment Feeder Fire – 898 acres 84% containment.” (More info here)
Mad River Complex (Ruth Lake and Surroundings) Now Combined with the Route Complex -see below: (10:27 p.m. ) 36,055 acres and 68% contained. “There was a large spot fire outside of Kettenpom that has been suppressed. Air resources were able to work throughout the day due to clearer skies. Crews conducted firing operations on the southeast corner of the Lassic Fire today. Firing operations will continue tonight on the east side of the fire Lassic Fire (16,791 acres, 39% contained) ”
(More info here) Telephone number for the public information officer is 707-574-6289. Also check out our maps, photos and measurements by clicking here.
Nickowitz Fire (northern Humboldt/southern Del Norte):(Current as of 7:15 a.m.) 6010 acres and 54% contained. Total Personnel: 352. “The fire continued to actively back on the southwest flank. Firefighters used strategic firing operations along Forest Road 13N01 towards Barren Butte to keep up with the fire’s progression. ” (More info here) Phone: 530-627-3246.
River Complex:(Current as of 8 p.m.) 60,744 burned and 26% contained. Total Personnel: 516. “Fire spread is predicted to continue on the northeast towards Fawn Ridge and Trinity Mountain, east towards Brushy Mountain and Green Mountain, and is likely to become established on Barnum Ridge to the southeast. The fire will continue to move through the Wilderness to the north and east.” (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) Now Combined with the Mad River Complex:(Current as of 10:30 p.m.) 35,451 acres burned and 63% contained. Structures destroyed: 2 outbuildings. Total Personnel: 603. Injury: 1. “Johnson Fire (35, 451 acres, 57% contained) The Johnson Fire burned down to a dozer line on the southwest side. Over 100 National Guard members are arriving tonight to assist in firefighting efforts on the Route and Mad River Complexes. ” (More info here.) Telephone number for the public information officer is 707-574-6865.
South Complex (north and west of Hyampom):(Current as of 7:20 p.m.) 26,764 acres burned and 62% containment. Personnel: 654. Injuries: 3. “The fire behavior was moderate today once the inversion lifted about 1400 with single tree torching, backing and creeping. Crews built more depth today with there firing operations and strengthened firelines on the Pattison Fire above Hyampom Creek. Crews were able to hold and monitor the containment lines on the complex.” (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 4:23 p.m.:

UPDATE 10:31 p.m.

Earlier Chapters:

News and Features

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WHO

8 years ago

The smoke is so bad in places in Trinity County That the air purifiers by default shut down .200 parts is unhealthy there are reports of 1,700 parts per Whatever .Crazy we as people and wildlife will be living with this catastrophe for years to come …

Gary Robertson

Update on the Democrat Fire (west of Weaverville) — Cal Fire Incident Report — as of 5:30 P.M. Aug. 26 — shows a sharp drop in the number of acres burned — now reports 128 acres burned with 50 percent containment.

http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=1211

Pepe le Pew

I’m starting to appreciate how people in war zones might feel with the constant trepidation and stress of danger threat. The Lassic fire has been my most recent source of consternation. But now with Zenia and Kettenpom hotspots – I’m feeling a bit surrounded and – pardon the pun – burn’t out!

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