Red and Salmon Fires Burn Together Above Red Cap Lake

Aug 8 Sunset looking southwest into the Red Salmon fire. [Photo from InciWeb]

Current Situation: Fires within this Complex have started burning together. The Red and Salmon Fires remain within containment lines and have merged on ridge lines above the Red Cap Lake area. The spot fire near Prospect Peak is pushing into the Red Fire near Whiteys Peak and is also establishing itself in the China Creek drainage. California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 continues to work closely with Native American Tribes in all fire suppression efforts. A series of video meetings with these tribes will occur throughout the week.

Red Fire: Last night on the northwest side, the fire backed down closer to containment lines after a successful burn with the UAS yesterday. Crews monitored the fire through the night, holding it at the containment line. An unburned area of about 5 acres within the line will be burned today, securing this section.

Today fire managers are scouting for containment options and safety concerns along the Packsaddle-Horse Trail ridge system on the southwest, and Devils Backbone on the southeast. These efforts will contain the fire on the south end. On the far north and northeast sections, resource advisors are protecting natural and cultural resource as firefighters continue reinforcing lines on Highpoint Ridge and the dozer line and 04 Road system. Fire managers continue to look for options connecting these lines to contain the fire.

Salmon Fire: Internal unburned islands continue to burn inside containment lines producing smoke.

Weather: Dryer more stable air moves over the area on Wednesday with light winds out of the west at 3-5 mph. Temperatures over the fire today are expected to be 82 to 86. Minimum relative humidity should be around 20 percent. A cooling trend of a few degrees each day will continue through Friday.

Air Quality: Terrain driven winds will bring smoke down into canyons and valleys again this evening. Refer to fires.airfire.org/outlooks/NWCalifornia. 

Closures: The Red Salmon Fire Forest Closure became effective on August 8, 2020. As hunting seasons open, hunters are reminded the closure is in place for their safety as well as the safety of firefighters. The full Forest Closure Order can be found on Inciweb. inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6891

COVID-19: California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 has implemented precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in both fire camp and the surrounding communities. These measures include daily temperature screenings, mandatory use of face coverings, social distancing, implementing more virtual work, and smaller fire camps. Community and firefighter safety are a top priority of both Team 4 and the National Forests.

 

Earlier Chapters:

• Red Salmon Complex Nearly 4,000 Acres, Still 0% Containment
• Red Salmon Complex Still 0% Contained
• Red Salmon Complex Now Over 3,300 Acres With 0% Containment
• Red Salmon Complex Now at 2,643 Acres With 0% Containment
• The Red Salmon Complex, Burning in Humboldt, Trinity, and Siskiyou Counties, is Now Over 1000 Acres With 0% Containment
• The Salmon Fire and the Red Fire Are Being Managed as a Complex [MAP]
• Salmon Fire Started Yesterday, July 28, and Is Estimated to Be 220 Acres and Have 0% Containment
• Red Salmon Complex Grows to 4,284 Acres With 5% Containment
• Cooler Temperatures and High Humidity Kept Red Salmon Fire From Expanding
• Hotter, Drier Weather This Weekend Could Lead to ‘Significant’ Growth on Red Salmon Complex
• Red Flag Warning Issued for the Red Salmon Fire Area
• Red Salmon Complex Now Over 7000 Acres; Red Flag Warning Today
• Red Salmon Complex Now Over 8,000 Acres; 35% Contained
• Red Salmon Complex Now Over 8,000 Acres; 35% Contained
• The Red Salmon Complex Now 10,178 acres and 35% Contained
• Red Salmon Complex Now Over 12,000 Acres
• Red Salmon Complex Now Over 15,000 Acres