[UPDATE 2:17 p.m.] Monument Fire Grows Another 6000 Acres, Now at 15,000 and 0% Contained

The Monument Fire along Hwy 299 [Image from Caltrans]

A major slide pushed over an area of Hwy 299 (Schneiders Bar) that was already closed to the public but necessary for emergency access at about nine last night. According to the CHP around 500 to 1000 yards of material went across both lanes. Emergency vehicles cannot travel this area and fight the fire that is burning on either side.  The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department is on standby to assist Trinity County residents on the west side of the slide. [UPDATE 2:17 P.M.: According to Caltrans, emergency vehicles are getting through now.]

According to the Shasta-Trinity National Forest Public Affairs Office, “The fire has impacted communication lines along the Trinity River corridor. Phone and internet lines are down in the Big Bar area.”

Below we’ve collected the information we believe will be helpful to understand the details of this quickly growing fire.

According to the US Forest Service:

Four spot fires have now crossed the Trinity River and Highway 299. 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.

Evacuation orders were issued 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. Winds 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: @ShastaTrinityNF Email: [email protected] Fire Information Line: (530) 628-0039 (8 am to 8 pm daily)

Compelling Images:

From August 1 [Photo by Sean Campbell]

The Weather:  

Hot dry conditions will continue today. The wind could be a concern this afternoon. The good news is that tomorrow and Friday should be cooler but the wind may be stronger than ever.

The Roads:

A slide has blocked an area of Hwy 299 inside the spot already closed making it impossible for emergency vehicles to travel the area. According to Samantha Karges of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, “[T]here is a rock slide around MPM 19, so our deputies are on standby to assist in responding to calls for service from communities to the west of that location [in Trinity County] should we be needed.”

The Maps:

• Public Map–
• 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.

Evacuation and Help Information:

• 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.”
• Anyone impacted by Wildfires in Trinity County can areceive free referral support, group support, and one-on-one crisis intervention by reaching out to (530) 461-0257 and [email protected].

UPDATE 2:17 p.m.: According to Caltrans, emergency vehicles are getting through now.

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!
• Breakout Spots From the Monument Fire Crossed 299 and Trinity River, Threaten Structures
• [UPDATE 6:52 p.m.: Monument Fire Now 9000 Acres, 0% Contained] Evacuation Order for Cedar Flat and Evacuation Warning for Burnt Ranch Areas Along Hwy 299
• Monument Fire’s Behavior Causes Sheriff to Issue Evacuation Warning for Big Flat
• Monument Fire Grows Over 2500 Acres Today