East Fire Slows: 405 Acres and 20% Contained

Snags and smoke on the East Fire. [Photo from InciWeb]

Fire activity has slowed on the East Fire as it continues to spread south toward the Middle Eel River in the Yolla Bolly Wilderness. The fire is 405 acres and 20 percent contained. To the southeast, lies the Haynes Fire, which is 23 acres, 100 percent contained and in monitor status. The fires are 23 miles northeast of Covelo in Trinity County.

Every wildland fire receives a management response and decision on how to deal with it. The East and the Haynes fires – while only one mile apart – are being managed under two different strategies. The fires were first reported by the Anthony Peak Lookout June 17. The forest fire staff flew over the fires on June 18 and evaluated the likely growth over time, firefighter safety and potential areas of concern.

They discovered the East Fire situated between Buck Ridge and Wrights Ridge on the top of East Ridge. Officials felt the location and the ridges provided an opportunity where firefighters could confine the fire and allow it to burn as naturally as possible in the wilderness. On the other hand, the Haynes Fire was located deeper downslope on Wrights Ridge, exposure and risk would have increased for firefighters and it would have taken a considerable amount of time and resources to manage it under a confinement strategy. Due to these factors – firefighter safety, location, access and potential fire growth – officials decided that the best course of action was to suppress the Haynes Fire as small as possible and confine the East Fire within a designated 1,200-acre area to remove hazardous fuels and improve forest health.

There is a cooling trend expected early this week which will continue to slow fire activity. The forecast for Monday shows temperatures from 67 to 71 degrees and light northwest winds 5 to 8 mph. There are approximately 100 personnel working on the fires. Some of these resources will be released from the incident Monday and Tuesday due to the reduced fire activity.

Wilderness hikers are asked to avoid travel near Buck Ridge and Wrights Ridge. Maps and photos are available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6394/. Photos are also available here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mendocinonf/albums.

Earlier Chapters:

• Multiple Aircraft Fighting a Fire in the Yolla Bollies
• East Fire in the Yolla Bollies Is 40 Acres
• Yolla Bolly Fires Grow: East to 125 Acres and Haynes to 10
• East Fire in the Yolla Bollies Is 40 Acres
• The East Fire: Being Managed for Forest Health, Says MNF
• East Fire in the Yolla Bollies Slows
• East Fire Update: 378 Acres, 5% Containment