August Complex Fires Sending up Columns of Smoke to the Southeast of Humboldt County

A huge smoke column rose from the August Complex about 5 p.m. [Image from Patton Hill east of Miranda as seen from the AlertWildfire cam]

These fires were started by lightning on August 16 and have grown tremendously over the last 5 days–many of the original spots burning together to form bigger fires over time. As of this morning, the fires had reached 117,365 acres and judging by today’s smoke column, they are even bigger now.

The August Complex is in Glenn County and Tehama County. So far the smoke has moved to the east.

The August Complex Map as provided by Google about 7 p.m.

Press release from the Mendocino National Forest:

Mendocino National Forest officials are implementing an area closure for the August Complex effective Friday, Aug. 21, 2020. This is a temporary closure to provide for firefighter and public safety due to extreme fire behavior and hazards associated with the Complex.

Forest Supervisor Ann Carlson explains, “We understand it is hunting season and people want to go hunting and camping. However, this closure is necessary to ensure no one is injured within or near the fires or that visitors enter areas and find their egress compromised by dangerous fire activity. It will also help keep fire personnel safe while working on and near roads in order to contain the fires.”

Although this is a sizeable closure and all National Forest System lands, inclusive of roads, trails, and campgrounds within the closure area will be closed until the hazards can be reduced to an acceptable level, much of the forest remains open. Please remember good camping etiquette and pack out everything that you pack in.

The Forest Order 08-20-10 and map are posted on the forest website: https://tinyurl.com/yxnh2lkt. More incident information is posted on Inciweb: https://tinyurl.com/y3wpmfgv