[UPDATE 8:51 p.m.] Day 14: Two Weeks After the Lightning Fires Started

Fire Crews using strategic firing operations to protect structures.

Fire Crews using strategic firing operations to protect structures on the South Complex. [Photo from InciWeb]

A massive lightning storm rolled across Northern California two weeks ago tomorrow. From the first strike in Mendocino County, we’ve been providing ongoing coverage every day. On this, the 14th day, we’ll be continuing our coverage. As we update each incident throughout the day, we’ll note the time the facts were posted so you can quickly see if there is something new on these incidents. Look for most recent general updates on the bottom but new information for individual fires are posted in the summaries below in blue.  (Newest maps of the fires here.) Those that have expanded 20% or more will have their acreage burned in red bold type. 

  • Puerto Rico Crew Helping on the Fork Complex. [Photo from InciWeb]

    Puerto Rico Crew Helping on the Fork Complex. [Photo from InciWeb]

    Fork Complex (Trinty Pines and north to Hayfork):(Current as of 7 p.m. Tuesday) 27,698 acres burned and 26% contained. Structures Destroyed: Residences 8, other buildings 4, Firefighter injuries to date: 3, Total Personnel: 2,394. “Cold front passage forecast for Wednesday night.” (More info here.)
  • Gasquet Fire: (Current as of 8:08 a.m.) 2693 acres burned and 25% containment. “Fire activity has been suppressed by the presence of overcast skies and persistent, deep marine layer present across most of the fire area.” (More info here)
  • Humboldt Complex (Alderpoint and surroundings):(Current as of 7:30 p.m.) 4,701 acres burned and 65% contained. Structures Destroyed:  1 residence, 6 outbuildings. Firefighter injuries to date: 13, Total Personnel: 1,755. “Fire growth is not anticipated on the Blocksburg, Bluford, Dobbyn, Steelhead, Wildcat or Winchester Fires.” Note that the Pine Fire is not listed here. (More info here)
  • Jerusalem Fire (Lake County): (Current as of 6:20 p.m.) 20,500 acres burned and 16% containment. “The fire still remains active and firefighters are working aggressively to stop the forward progression and sustain perimeter control. ” (More info here.) Telephone number (707) 967-4208
  • The Lassic Fire in the Mad River Complex [Photo by Christina Lombardi]

    Nightime shot of the Lassic Fire in the Mad River Complex [Photo by Christina Lombardi]

    Mad River Complex (Ruth Lake and Surroundings):(Current as of 8:25 p.m.) 20,525 acres burned and 45% contained. Estimated Cost to Date: $14.8 million Injuries: 3 Total Personnel: 1,204 Structures Destroyed: 2 residences, 2 outbuildings. “Active burning can be expected during the early portion tonight but will diminish as humidity rises. Lassic Fire (2,860 acres): Crews made good progress today and were able to keep the fire from crossing Blanket Creek….Structure protection engines are in place and prepared to take action if needed. Gobbler Fire (8,279 acres): Good progress was made in holding the fire within the established lines. …Pickett Fire (9,386 acres): Crews will monitor and patrol along Highway 36 to limit fire spread potential north of Highway 36 and east of the 1S26 Rd. Containment lines along the western perimeter of the fire are holding. Structure protection engines and hoselays are in place for the Forest Glen area.” (More info here) Telephone number for the public information officer is 707-574-6289.
  • River Complex:(Current as of 8:10 p.m.) 23,775 burned and 12% contained. “There will be a community meeting Thursday, August 13, 6:00 p.m. until 8p.m. at the Neighborhood Facilities hosted by Hoopa Fire, OES and California Interagency Incident Management Team 3. We will discuss the River Complex and fires in the surrounding area.For questions or more information on this meeting call the River Complex information center at (530) 276-8559.” (More info here.) Telephone number for the public information officer 530-276-8559.
  • Rocky Fire (Lake County): (Current as of 6:30 p.m.) 69,636 acres burned and 95% contained, 43 residences, 53 outbuildings destroyed; 8 structures damaged.  “There are still isolated pockets of smoldering fuel deep within the interior of the burn with minimal fire activity near the perimeter. Resources will continue to construct line, mop up hot spots and patrol the line for several days” (More info here)  Telephone number for the public information officer is (707) 967-4207.
  • Route Complex (south and west of Hyampom and Buck Mt. area):(Current as of 7:40 p.m.) 25,886 acres burned and 19% contained. “Clear skies allowed aircraft to assist ground crews securing containment lines and burnout operations.” (More info here.) Telephone number for the public information officer is 707-574-6865.
  • Large tree which blocked the FS60 Road. [Photo from InciWeb]

    Large tree which blocked the FS60 Road. [Photo from InciWeb]

    South Complex (north and west of Hyampom):(Current as of 8:28 p.m.) 15,796 acres burned and 15% containment. “Fire activity across the area picked up considerably as skies cleared and winds increased this afternoon. Crews on the lower edge of the Castle Fire had successfully held the active fire on the ridges paralleling the river, but windy and dry conditions this afternoon caused spots to cross the containment line and into Young Gulch.” (More info here)

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, weather, 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.

UPDATE 10:55 a.m.: Hose being pulled off the line. KMUD does an interview with the CCC.

Earlier Chapters:

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19 Comments
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AJ
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AJ
8 years ago

Is there an estimate on when these fires will be vanquished? I canceled a trip to southern Oregon because the weather forecasts were for smoke every day, and hotels were booked solid with firefighters.

Gary Robertson
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Gary Robertson
8 years ago

They’ve been doing these strategic backfires — or whatever the heck they’re called — all around us for the last two or three days. The photo (attached) was taken the night before last (8-10-2015) and the burn was only about 500 yards from us. Burn location — three miles south of Hayfork along Salt Creek and a few hundred yards west of Highway 3. (Peak Fire — aka Fork Complex.)

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