Helena and Fork Fires: Together They Have Consumed Over 16,000 Acres

Homes and business were destroyed as the Helena Fire rolled through the Junction City area. [Photo used with permission from Matthew Henderson. Click here to see more of his work]

Homes and business were destroyed as the Helena Fire rolled through the Junction City area a week ago. [Photo used with permission from Matthew Henderson. Click here to see more of his work.]

California has over 10,000 firefighters trying to hold back 23 wildfires and spotters will be looking for new starts after last night’s lightning storms—there are more storms predicted to continue today. Meanwhile, the Helena and Fork Fires are merging into a large fiery battleground. By one estimate, the two fires combined have swallowed about 16,885 acres. Containment on the Helena Fire has increased but the Fork Fire is still uncontained.

20170906_Helena_11x17topo

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The fire is pushing past the top of the Weaver Bally ridge but is still behind dozer lines. According to the InciWeb, “Firelines are being constructed and strengthened from Junction City northeast to Glennison Gap. On the northern perimeter, the fire is backing into Brock Gulch and is holding along Brock Road. The fire has crossed into the Trinity Alps Wilderness near Canyon Creek.”

Infrared map of Helena Fork

Infrared image map of the Helena and Fork Fires. The information was captured about 2:30 a.m. [If you have Google Earth, you can get a more dimensional look at the fire here: 20170906_Helena_IR]

WEATHER: Though temperatures are expected to only reach a high of 83 degrees today, the National Weather Service continues to have bad news for residents of the area. “Scattered to numerous thunderstorms with abundant lightning” are expected to develop through Thursday. Today, there will be only a possibility of isolated thunderstorms but on Thursday the chances increase to 30% after 11 a.m.

TRAVEL on Hwy 299: According to the US Forest Service,

California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will open Highway 299 to through traffic only at the following times: 5:30am, 9:00am, 2:00pm, 5:30pm, and 9:30 pm. This schedule is for Wednesday 9/6 only. Eastbound and westbound traffic in line at these times will be allowed through the area under traffic control, depending on fire activity and operations. All areas under evacuation orders remain closed to access. Highway closures are currently east of Big Flat and east of Junction City. Officials are estimating 40 minutes to get through the area at opening times.

SCHOOLS:  Click here for more information: Some Schools Opting to Close or Go to Minimum Day Schedule for the 6th

UPDATE Thursday: Lightning Striking Near Helena Fire This Morning

Earlier Chapters on the Helena Fire: 

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12 Comments
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gunther
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gunther
6 years ago

Kym, you and your network of information and hard word always amazes me. I love this site. Thank you.

Thinking allowed
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Thinking allowed
6 years ago
Reply to  gunther

Yes, so right. Trying to wade through difficult government websites is a horrible chore that may prove fruitless in the end. Thank you for making sense of it all for your readers.

CONNIE Corp
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CONNIE Corp
6 years ago

Hi…the two fires have not merged yet. They will probably do so at Gwin Gulch in canyon creek. What merged was the Helena Fire to the containment lines on weaver Bally. Thought you would want correct info. New map I posted on my timeline should help you. Randall also posted it on Trinity alerts.

stillganders
Guest
6 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

To some your headline makes it seem that they have merged.

CONNIE Corp
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CONNIE Corp
6 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

I understand your point. Just trying to be factual. Also..it was incorrectly reported on inci web that the had merged at Weaver Bally. Sorry..didn’t mean to step on your reporting.

Grumpy
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Grumpy
6 years ago

Air Attack ordered aircraft 4 heavy tankers and 2 VLATS they are all enroute now

Ullr Rover
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Ullr Rover
6 years ago
Reply to  Grumpy

Default Re: CA-SHF-Helena
Helena just attracted a bunch of heavy tankers right before noon. Not sure if this is on Helena itself or the lightning hit chiefnicholls reported last night on Weaver Bally (aircraft are circling on Weaver Bally and Monument Peak)
T944
T910
T167
T105
T01

http://hotlist.wildlandfire.com/threads/61336-CA-SHF-Helena/page6?highlight=Helena

Grumpy
Guest
Grumpy
6 years ago

Tankers done for the day still have last least 3 type1 copters working