Breakout Spots From the Monument Fire Crossed 299 and Trinity River, Threaten Structures

Monument Fire from the CB Bridge looking west on the night of August 1. [Photo provided by Samuel Deyton]

Last night, the Monument Fire which began this last weekend closed Hwy 299 and forced the evacuation of multiple residents who live in the Del Loma and Big Bar Communities. Below we’ve compiled all the information available at this point.

Press release from the US Forest Service’s InciWeb:

The Monument Fire is currently mapped at 6,057 acres and is 0% contained. It continued to burn actively through the night, backing downslope. Two spot fires crossed the Trinity River and Highway 299 at around 9pm. One spot was ten acres, with structures threatened. Crews were able to access this spot overnight, and will continue work on it today. The other spot is estimated at two acres and is in inaccessible terrain roughly two miles from the active fire front, and firefighters plan to utilize aircraft to contain this spot. Neither spot is established at this time. The fire remains south of Del Loma and ½ mile east of Big Bar. On the west side, the fire crossed over Panther Creek and has spotted across Canadian Creek. On the south side, the fire is still holding on Monument Peak and on the adjacent ridges.

Public information and operations staff will be at the Skunk Point Campground to ask questions today beginning at noon. Evacuation orders were issued last night by the Trinity County Sheriff for Big Bar and Del Loma. Highway 299 has been intermittently closed and/or subject to controlled traffic.The weather is predicted to remain hot and dry through Wednesday, with cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity potentially bringing some relief Thursday and Friday. Normal up-slope, up-canyon in the afternoons and down-slope, down-canyon overnight. They are expected to get slightly stronger as we approach the weekend. Visitors to the area are advised that there are several other fires Klamath National Forest that may affect locations in the Trinity Alps. Check this page and the Klamath National Forest page for information before beginning your trip.For More Information, including downloadable maps and updates:Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7750/Twitter: @ShastaTrinityNFFacebook: @ShastaTrinityNFEmail: [email protected] Information Line: (530) 628-0039 (8 am to 8 pm daily)

Compelling Images:

[Photo from August 2 of the Monument Fire by Nicholas Moore]

[Photo from August 1 of the Monument Fire by Nicholas Moore]

[Photo from August 1 of the Monument Fire by Paul Turner]

[Photo from August 1 of the Monument Fire by Paul Turner]

[Photo from August 1 of the Monument Fire by Paul Turner]

Smoke from the air as seen this morning. [Photo by Carole Segura]

[Photo from August 1 of the Monument Fire by Duane Sherman]

The Plan:

The Monument Fire is burning in the footprint of the 2008 Cedar Fire so firefighters will have to be extra aware of snags and hazardous trees.

Firefighters will be trying to keep the fire from entering the communities of Big Bar and Del Loma as well as private property around there but are preparing for structure defense in those areas.

In addition they have to protect infrastructure through the area including the highway, communication towers, and electrical lines.

The Weather:  

According to the National Weather Service out of Eureka, the weather is expected to be hot and dry through Wednesday. Temperatures will range through the 90’s throughout the fire area. The humidity could drop as low as 12%. Winds continue to make firefighting difficult

The Roads:

“This picture from the night of 08/01/2021 on SR-299 near Big Bar shows the power and devastation wildland fires can wield.” [Photo and Caption from the CHP-Trinity River Facebook page]

According to Caltrans as of 8:35 p.m.: “State Route 299 is currently closed from approximately 2 miles west of Del Loma to approximately 1 mile east of Big Bar (Trinity County) due to the #MonumentFire.” There is no estimated time of reopening. They suggest choosing alternate routes. See here for alternate routes.

For the most current road conditions, click here.

The Maps:

• Operations Map –to see details either zoom or click on the map and download a pdf.
• KMZ Map–Zoom for detail or for 3D imagery, click on the map and download a file that connects with your Google Earth program.
  

  Please note that heat imagery (which is not always precise) shows several relatively small spot fires have jumped north of Hwy 299 and the Trinity River.

Information for Evacuation:

According to the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office, “Evacuation Centers will be at the First Baptist Church in Weaverville, CA, and Willow Creek VFW Hall, 20 Kimtu Road, Willow Creek.”

UPDATE: Evacuation Order for Cedar Flat and Evacuation Warning for Burnt Ranch Areas Along Hwy 299

Earlier Chapters:

• Evacuation Warnings Issued for Del Loma Area Along Hwy 299; 1000 Acres and 0% Contained
• Hwy 299 Closed at Big Bar Due to the Monument Fire
• Hwy 299 Reopens, But ‘Subject to Closure at Any Time’
• Trinity County Sheriff Issues Evacuation Orders Tonight in Big Bar Area as Monument Fire Grows; Hwy 299 Closed!