Red Salmon Complex Now Over 3,300 Acres With 0% Containment

Map of the Red Salmon Complex (Click for pdf)

Information from InciWeb:

Current Situation:

Firefighters are making progress building direct line on the Red Salmon Complex which has burnt 3,315 acres on the Six Rivers and Shasta-Trinity national forests. Both the Red fire and Salmon fire are burning in steep, rugged terrain, with limited access within the Trinity Alps Wilderness and are 0% contained. Air operations continue to support crews on the ground as visibility and smoke conditions allow. Crews will continue to go direct where possible, strengthen indirect control lines, while using minimum impact suppression tactics in the wilderness, and work with resource advisors to avoid disturbance to cultural resources. A base camp will be established in Orleans today, bringing firefighters closer to the incident thus reducing travel distance for crews and allow resources to get to the fires more efficiently.

The Red Fire is 2,618 acres and 0% contained. Crews began firing operations yesterday on the north flank of the fire along the Lubbs Trail and the 10N01 road near Salmon Summit Trailhead to secure that portion of the line. Firing operations will continue today as conditions remain favorable. All sides of the fire are still active and showing a moderate rate of spread backing in all directions with short uphill runs.

The Salmon Fire is 697 acres and 0% contained. The fire remains in the footprint of previous fires, but still has some potential for growth. Handcrews will continue direct attack operations on the south flank of the fire working from Salmon Summit Ridge and scouting missions along Backbone Ridge to attempt containment and hold the fire where it currently sits. Crews will resume indirect line reinforcement along Backbone Ridge and progress down to Pack Saddle Ridge and begin north toward Black Mountain to tie into the Red Fire.

Weather: Temperatures will be slightly cooler today with higher humidity.  A low pressure system is developing off the coast bringing a slight change of thunderstorms this afternoon.

Air quality: An air quality monitoring specialist is providing daily smoke forecasts and air quality information for the surrounding communities. Reports can be found here: fires.airfire.org/outlooks/NWCalifornia

Closures: Big Rock River Access has been closed in the interest of public safety as it is being used as a dip site for helicopter operations in the fire suppression efforts on the Red Salmon Complex.