Helena: Containment Creeps Upwards in Some Areas But Fire Continues to Expand

Firefighters on the Helena Fire on September 2. [Crop of a photo from the Facebook page of Mountain View Fire Department]

Since the Helena Fire burst out destroying or damaging over 140 structures last Wednesday, the flames have continued to push outward. Today, the fire has burned around 8940 acres and is 14% contained. Mandatory evacuations for about 2000 people are still in place. Hwy 299 is mostly closed by Caltrans is periodically opening the road to through traffic only. (See here for more on 299.)

Yesterday, when the inversion layer lifted, the fire grew to the northeast towards the Fork fire (now at 1050 acres and 0% containment) and the southwest towards Rattlesnake Gap. The same pattern of fire growth in the afternoon is expected again today.

However, a public information officer on the Helena Fire reports that the lines towards Weaverville “are holding” and even improving.

The plane carrying the infrared cameras was unable to fly again last night so the following map isn’t as detailed as we would like.

The black lines around the Helena Fire show where the containment areas are located.

WEATHER:

Though somewhat cooler temperatures are expected in the region, the temperature is still expected to exceed 100 degrees. Smoke blankets the region throughout the day, though the inversion layer might lift around 3 p.m. allowing the fire to expand more quickly. Be aware that smoke levels are considered to be between unhealthy and hazardous. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms developing tomorrow and Wednesday.

SCHOOLS:

According to the Trinity County Office of Education, “Trinity Alps Unified and Douglas City Elementary School District have canceled school for tomorrow, Sept 5…Schools will notify parents by tonight if [other] closures will continue.”

In addition, “the Klamath Trinity Joint Unified School District is canceling school tomorrow Tuesday, September 5 due to unhealthy air conditions,” according to an employee.

Earlier Chapters: 

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Ullr Rover
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Ullr Rover
6 years ago

Any word on why the IR plane has not been flying? Smoke isn’t an issue at the height they fly.

Kimberly
Guest
Kimberly
6 years ago
Reply to  Ullr Rover

Right !! I have not heard any air activity at all since this started .. when it first broke out the planes were not available can you believe that. Then when they were available they say they can’t see. It’s so scary

Ullr Rover
Guest
Ullr Rover
6 years ago
Reply to  Kimberly

If this fire had started in the morning rather than late afternoon (17:10 first scanner record) then they could have had aircraft on it. All aircraft was committed to other fires and it takes some time to reallocate resources. So, it ran into dark that first night which was when most homes burned. Since then the inversion layer has kept aircraft from doing any drops… retardant or water.

I did find it odd that the whole length of river in the fire perimeter is a “no draft/no dip” zone. Apparently it is ok up and down river from the fire.

Karlo
Guest
Karlo
6 years ago
Reply to  Ullr Rover

From my experience, as a lieutenant and or asst chief I’d make the call to draft from the river, if that would help save homes and lessen the damage.

Ullr Rover
Guest
Ullr Rover
6 years ago
Reply to  Karlo

Agreed. I don’t know why it’s off-limits on this fire. I’ve used it in previous years to save my place…. on that fire it didn’t matter how many trucks were on site, it was a 4″ honda fire pump and 2000′ of hose lay that made the difference.

Stephen Arnett
Guest
Stephen Arnett
6 years ago
Reply to  Kimberly

They can’t use the air assault tactics because of all the smoke otherwise they would have already used the aerial fire fighting tactics

Brian
Guest
Brian
6 years ago
Reply to  Stephen Arnett

It’s a dozer party.

Happens in this area a lot it seems (smoke inversions).

There are 1200 people fighting the fire, that is huge.

I think that’s more than any other fire anywhere right now.

IR Flight info
Guest
IR Flight info
6 years ago
Reply to  Ullr Rover

Mechanical aircraft issue. No other details were listed on the report.

Ullr Rover
Guest
Ullr Rover
6 years ago
Reply to  IR Flight info

Ok, thanks. I’m sure they (calfire or USFS contractors) have more than one… it seems that the IR reading are an extremely valuable tool for attack strategies. Certainly for reliable, detailed mapping.

Skippy
Guest
Skippy
6 years ago
Ullr Rover
Guest
Ullr Rover
6 years ago

If this map is accurate it won’t be long and the Fork fire and Helena fire will be the same fire.

https://app.mapport.com/wildfire-viewer/?share=FJZMJDLP

Liz
Guest
Liz
6 years ago
Reply to  Ullr Rover

Great maps, thanks for the link.

Ullr Rover
Guest
Ullr Rover
6 years ago
Reply to  Ullr Rover

You can get the maps here:
http://hotlist.wildlandfire.com/threads/61336-CA-SHF-Helena/page5?highlight=helena

But you need to register to use the site.

Chuck
Guest
Chuck
6 years ago
Reply to  Ullr Rover

“You can get the maps here:
http://hotlist.wildlandfire.com/threads/61336-CA-SHF-Helena/page5?highlight=helena

But you need to register to use the site.”

DO NOT POST ON THIS SITE UNLESS YOU ARE A FIRE FIGHTER!!!!

They had to go to a registration system after the Clearlake fire when the board got plugged with fools from all across the country asking if their cousin 80 miles away in Sacremento was OK. A lot of ground personnel have stopped posting and that was a ton of valuable info that is already lost to misuse.

Ullr Rover
Guest
Ullr Rover
6 years ago
Reply to  Chuck

Thanks for that. I forget that people will post without thinking. I have been using the site for years… posting something seems like talking on an emergency channel. It better be important or don’t say anything.

Humboldt Lady
Guest
Humboldt Lady
6 years ago

Sending mighty Blessings to all firefighters, first responders and the commanders in charge of them all, as well as their families. May they find the strength to battle this fire and may resources become available as well as conditions so that they may do drops and IR. We want the Inversion layer to open so they can fight the fire, but unfortunately it aids the fire as well. I know you all are doing your best and I wish you and your families the knowledge that we so appreciate all you are doing. Brightest Blessings to you all, Be Safe…

Bozo
Guest
Bozo
6 years ago

Better get prepared for smoke… once it crosses the wilderness boundary…
it will burn until it rains… (or snows).

Emily
Guest
Emily
6 years ago
Reply to  Bozo

No matter what it’s going to burn til it rains! That’s pretty clear. At least it’s into September.. you can usually bet your money on a good rain by mid/end September.

Jorge Cervantes
Guest
Jorge Cervantes
6 years ago
Reply to  Emily

Yup! last year first rain was September 24th if I remember correctly! This actually hasn’t been that bad smoke wise in comparison to the Onion-Megram Fire of 1999. If you live here long enough you end up owning an expensive air purifier you Barely use and you get C.O.P.D. For free.

Ullr Rover
Guest
Ullr Rover
6 years ago

’99 wad bad but ’08 was much worse…. here anyway. It did force me invest in an air purifier and an ac…. not being able to cool the house down at night was torturous.

Redneck Mama
Guest
Redneck Mama
6 years ago

Klamath Trinity Joint Unified School District is closed tomorrow Tuesday, September 5. Update will be provided tomorrow afternoon. Unhealthy and hazardous air quality exists throughout the region.

Bozo
Guest
Bozo
6 years ago

>”…you can usually bet your money on a good rain by mid/end September.”

After this weeks weather… I’m not putting much money on rain.

shak
Guest
shak
6 years ago

With Montana, WA, Idaho, Oregon, Calif, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and Nevada all on fire, it will be a long while before we can breathe again. Resources are practically non existent in some cases. State of Emergencies have been called, but places like Montana have yet to receive the help they’re in need of. I must hand it to Jerry Brown for declaring a halt on the regulations during the fire fighting emergency this year. High Five Jerry! (all the butt kicks to date still stand, don’t let it go to your head).
Donate to your local Volunteer Fire departments often and pray for us all. Help out the Volunteer Fire depts in other states.
No resting on laurels permitted until this is over and all areas are prepared for the next season’s bouts.