Evacuation Advisory for Forks of the Salmon Residents

Firefighters string fire hose along the handline on a narrow ridgeline. (Photo credit: H. Fincher, Anderson FPD)

An evacuation advisory has been issued for residents in Forks of Salmon. During high winds and hotter weather today, a fire crossed the firelines into McNeal Creek Drainage. According to the press release,

Helicopters supported ground crews in attempting to stop the spread of the fire, but late afternoon smoke from this and other area fires impacted visibility. Because of the inability to see the advancing fire, crews were pulled back from the ridge for firefighter safety. 

Residents of the small town of Forks of Salmon are advised to “begin preparing for a potential evacuation order. Individuals requiring more time to evacuate should consider leaving now. You should also consider removing large animals and large personal items such as motor homes, boats, and heavy equipment.”

However, readers of the Salmon River and Orleans Complexities Facebook page are saying that the “breach in the line is minor and they will send crews in tonight as soon as the inversion lifts. …The fire is not going to threaten anyone tonight or likely for the next few days unless something dramatic and unseen occurs. We can all go to sleep tonight with reasonable peace of mind… .”

A public meeting will be held at the Forks of Salmon Community Hall at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 13, 2013. 

Complete Orleans Complex Press Release below:

Health Advisory:

The North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District (NCUAQM) continues to extend their smoke advisory for Del Norte, Humboldt and Trinity Counties, noting that there are separate advisories for Forks of Salmon, Klamath Glen, Orleans and Weitchpec. For further information call the 24 hour Air Quality Advisory Information at 1-866-BURN-DAY or check the district’s website at www.ncuaqmd.org. 

Detected: Wednesday, July 31, 10:00 p.m.

Cause: Under Investigation

Fuels: Timber and Brush

Estimated Size: 9,580

Containment: 20%

Committed Resources: Approximately 991

Structures Damaged or Destroyed: 0

 

Closures:

The following closures are in effect for the public, excluding residents within the closure area:

 

1. A Forest Closure is in effect for the areas of the Klamath National Forest around the Butler Fire and Salmon River Complex. To see the full Forest Closure, please visit: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5430601.pdf

2. Highway 93 (Forks of Salmon Road) is closed at the Highway 96 intersection and above the Forks of Salmon store. No access to North Fork/Sawyers Bar Road is available at this time.

 

Summary:

High winds and warmer temperatures increased fire activity this afternoon, causing the fire to cross the ridge south of Horn Creek and into the McNeal Creek drainage. Helicopters supported ground crews in attempting to stop the spread of the fire, but late afternoon smoke from this and other area fires impacted visibility. Because of the inability to see the advancing fire, crews were pulled back from the ridge for firefighter safety. 

At this time, an Evacuation Advisory is being issued for residents in Forks of Salmon. During an evacuation advisory you should begin preparing for a potential evacuation order. Individuals requiring more time to evacuate should consider leaving now. You should also consider removing large animals and large personal items such as motor homes, boats, and heavy equipment.

A public meeting will be held at the Forks of Salmon Community Hall at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 13, 2013. 

Please see http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3577/# for updates and a map of the Orleans Complex.