[UPDATE 7:30 p.m.] Day 30: Lightning Fires

The logistics of keeping the fire army able to battle flames requires everything from mobile shower units to mobile laundries (seen above) [Photo from Inciweb]

The logistics of keeping the fire army able to battle flames requires everything from mobile shower units to mobile laundries (seen above) [Photo from Inciweb]

Fire crews have been battling fires across the west all summer. They’re exhausted and stretched thin but here in the Emerald Counties, the containment lines are holding. Lassic Fire is still a bit of a problem. Last night, it threw a 10 acre spot fire that leaped the Van Duzen Road. But crews seem to have a handle on it today.

And, as a whole, the fires are calming. Meanwhile though, we’ll keep updating you every day. As we do, 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 6:30 p.m.) 128 acres and 85% contained. “Very warm and dry weather conditions will continue to be a factor for firefighters working in the steep and rugged terrain today. A more favorable weather pattern is predicted for later tonight, bringing cooler temperatures, increased humidity and the possibility of precipitation as firefighters strengthen containment lines and mop up. ” (More information here.)Public Information Line: (530) 225-2510.
  • Horse Fire (northeast of Shelter Cove): (Current as of 5:30 p.m.) 146 acres  and 98% contained. Total Fire Personnel: 499. “CAL FIRE Incident Management Team #5 will be transitioning the fire back to the CAL FIRE Humboldt Del Norte Unit tomorrow at 7:00 A.M. The Humboldt Del Norte Unit will continue to monitor the fire to ensure that there is no future threat. 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 6:30 p.m.) 36,499 acres burned and 97% contained. Structures Destroyed: Residences 8, other buildings 4, Firefighter injuries to date: 12, Total Personnel:294. “Fire behavior is expected to continue to be minimal as containment continues to be successful.” (More info here.) Fire Information Line: 530-628-0093
  • Gasquet Fire: (Current as of 6:15 p.m.23,542 acres burned and 27 % containment. Total Personnel: 711. Injuries: 6.  “Focus will be shifting from the Feeder and Coon Fires to the Bear and Peak Fires…Bear Fire7324 acres, 14% containment. Coon Fire 5,657 acres 74% Containment Peak Fire9663 acres 5% containment Feeder Fire – 898 acres 100% containment.” (More info here.)
  • Mad River Complex (Ruth Lake and Surroundings) Now Combined with the Route Complex -see below: (7:15 p.m.) 37,278 acres and 88% contained.  Personnel: 288. “Smoldering, backing and isolated torching may occur on the Lassic Fire’s eastern edge. Suppression and monitoring efforts will need to continue on the spotovers along Lassic Fire’s Div. T & B in order to ensurecontainment. The Gobbler and the Pickett are in patrol status. Lassic Fire (16,791 acres, 39% contained) (More info here)  Telephone number for the public information officer is 707-574-6289.
  • Nickowitz Fire (northern Humboldt/southern Del Norte):(Current as of 6:40 p.m.) 6,631 acres and 55% contained. Total Personnel: 273. “With expected rain and increased humidity, main fire spread will be minimal to the southwest along Nickowitz Creek toward Barren Butte below the 13N01 road.”  (More info here) Phone: 530-627-3246. Estimated Containment Date:Tuesday September 15th.
  • River Complex:(Current as of 3:12 p.m.) 65,221 burned and 27% contained. Total Personnel: 553. 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 6:15 p.m.) 35,674 acres burned and 93% contained. Structures destroyed: 2 outbuildings. Total Personnel: 657. Injury: 1. “Johnson Fire (33,782 acres, 71% contained)Fire activity expected to be low, particularly with the anticipated cloudy conditions and precipitation.” (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 p.m.29,275 acres burned and 65% containment. Personnel: 605. Injuries: 3.  “Strategic firing operations are complete as the Fire has reached Hayfork Creek and is holding….Crews began repair of damage caused by fire suppression actions including approximately 80 miles of dozer and 9 miles of handline. Hose and pumps are being removed from areas where the fire is out and there is no longer a threat. No spots were detected outside of containment lines.” (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 6:35 p.m.:

Earlier Chapters:

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16 Comments
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Phoenix
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Phoenix
8 years ago

I saw a fire truck flipped on its side on Hwy 36 yesterday with their gear all over the road and then an ambulance with the lights on heading out. I was wondering if they are okay?

WHO
Guest
WHO
8 years ago
Reply to  Phoenix

I heard about this too hope they are ok.

Michael
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Michael
8 years ago
Reply to  Phoenix

They were from Arizona, going home after 21 days on the Mad River Complex. Lost their brakes on the grade east of Bridgeville, 3 Firefighters inside, one got 5 staples in his head for a laceration and stitches in his forearm, one had a sprained knee, and one had to have surgery to put in a metal plate and pins in his wrist to repair a bad fracture. All are flying home today, the Engine was totaled.

Michael
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Michael
8 years ago
Reply to  Michael

More pics

Michael
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Michael
8 years ago
Reply to  Michael

more

Michael
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Michael
8 years ago
Reply to  Michael

more

WHO
Guest
WHO
8 years ago
Reply to  Michael

Thanks for the update on this.

Liz
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Liz
8 years ago
Reply to  Michael

Thank you for the info. Wishing them a speedy recovery and their engine quickly replaced.

Phoenix
Guest
Phoenix
8 years ago
Reply to  Michael

Oh no. Much prayers for a speedy recovery for them. I live in Mad River and I’m so grateful for their 3 weeks of hard work!!! But so sad their journey home went that way:( I hope they know they are epic!!!!

silverlining
Guest
silverlining
8 years ago

That mobile laundromat looks like pure genius. Bet they really got lay on the Tide for that job.

Crescent city
Guest
Crescent city
8 years ago

Nonstop monsoon in crescent city. HOORAY FOR EVERYONE. Started at midnight. Firefighters can maybe get rest.

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