[UPDATE 10:01 p.m.: Strong Winds Beginning to Impact Fire] Firefighters Face Red Flag Conditions on the McFarland Fire Which Grew to Over 23,000 Acres and Is Only 7% Contained

A Sikorsky helicopter refills its tank at a dip point whole working the McFarland Fire on August 3. [Photo by Mark McKenna]

The Shasta-Trinity National Forest Public Affairs Office states,

The McFarland Fire is currently mapped at 23,409 acres and is 7% contained. Firefighters have worked in hot and extremely dry conditions that have made fuels highly susceptible to ignition. These conditions coupled with steep and difficult terrain have and will continue to challenge crews on the eastern portion of the fire that is burning along Cottonwood Rap.  Firefighters will continue to suppress the fire where they can in this area and construct dozer lines where possible to stop the forward progress of the fire. In addition, contingency lines are being scouted and worked on. The northern border running along Highway 36 has been tested by the fire, and crews have been able to keep it suppressed. They will continue to strengthen the line on this flank today. Firefighters will continue to construct dozer lines and suppress the fire on the western flank. The southern border is burning north of the August Complex burn scar. Personnel have encountered some unburned fuel from that incident and are adjusting their strategy to control the southern flank.

We are expecting Red Flag conditions over the fire area for the next two days. The relative humidity is expected to remain in the 8-12% range with a shift in wind direction out of the west that will challenge the eastern flank.

The fire has produced a large amount of smoke that has made flying fixed and rotor wing aircraft difficult and dangerous. Personnel will continue to monitor weather and fire conditions to find opportunity to provide aerial firefighting. With the many large uncontained fires throughout the western United States, firefighters are tasked with fighting fires that are exhibiting fire behavior never seen before while competing for resources with other large incidents.

The fire is located within both Shasta County and Trinity County. Smoke could impact Hayfork to the North, Yolla Bolla Middle Eel wilderness to the south and the Sacramento Valley to the southeast. The fire will also be producing large amounts of smoke that could increase threat to the health and breathing concerns for the northern Sacramento Valley.

 

Forest visitors are reminded that fire restrictions remain in effect prohibiting building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire. For more information visit:

Inciweb:https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7746
Twitter:@ShastaTrinityNF
Facebook: @ShastaTrinityNF
Email: [email protected]
Fire Information Line: (530) 330-4048 (8am-9pm daily)

We’ve gathered the most important information about the McFarland Fire and organized it below for our readers.

Compelling Images:

Another view of the Sikorsky helicopter refilling its tank on August 3. [Photo by Mark McKenna]

The Plan:

According to InciWeb, “Resources [are] working to hold the 36 as the fire makes its way farther to the west. Dozers and heavy equipment will continue to reopen dozer lines from last years August Complex as well as looking for safe opportunities to go direct as well as opening more contingency lines to the east of the fire.”

The video below was from late yesterday afternoon but has some pertinent information.

https://www.facebook.com/ShastaTrinityNF/posts/3043412922557413

The Weather:  

According to InciWeb,

An area of low pressure will approach Northern California later today and result in a period of critical fire weather over the incident thru Thursday. Strong shifting winds, coupled with very dry air and unstable conditions will support the Red Flag Warning currently in effect over the fire. Increasing westerly flow over the fire Thursday will allow for some slight cooling and a little better RH recovery Thursday night. Warmer temperatures rebound again on Friday and Saturday along with poorer overnight RH recovery.

The Roads:

Highway 36 is CLOSED from White Rock Road to the junction with Highway 3. The Wildwood Road is closed from Highway 36 to Highway 3. Monitor Caltrans QuickMap for up to the minute information.

The Shasta-Trinity National Forest Public Affairs Office warns, “Additionally, if the fire continues to the northwest it could cause the closure of Hwy 3 and will stop all vehicle traffic between Redding/Red Bluff and Fortuna/Eureka.”

The Maps:

• Operations Map –to see details either zoom or click on the map and download a pdf.

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.”
• Areas under Evacuation Order in Trinity County are:
  • Wildwood
• Areas under Evacuation Warnings in Shasta County are:
  • Post Mountain
  • Trinity Pines
• Areas under Evacuation Warnings in Shasta County are:
  • Harrison Gulch from Highway 36 to Deerlick Springs Roa
  • Shields Road
  • White Rock Road
• Anyone impacted by Wildfires in Trinity County can receive free referral support, group support, and one-on-one crisis intervention by reaching out to (530) 461-0257 and [email protected].

UPDATE 9:22 p.m.: A video from the US Forest Service with updates on the McFarland Fire.

https://www.facebook.com/ShastaTrinityNF/posts/3044227309142641

UPDATE 10:01 p.m.: Shasta-Trinity National Forest just posted at 9:04 p.m., “Overall fire behavior was moderate during today’s burn period. Forecasted stronger winds are just starting to impact the fire area and could increase the rates of spread. Spotting continues to be a major issue for the incident.”

Earlier Chapters:

• 40 to 50 Acre Wildfire South of Hwy 36 in Trinity County
• Yesterday, Wind, Rain, and Hail Didn’t Stop Three Fires in Trinity County
• Evacuation Warning Issued by Trinity County Sheriff’s Office for McFarland Fire
• Evacuation Warning Still in Effect on McFarland Fire Near Hwy 36
• Evacuation Orders Issued for Wildwood in Trinity County; Hwy 36 Being Closed
• Evacuation Warning for Post Mountain and Trinity Pines
• McFarland Fire Spreads to Nearly 16,000 Acres
• Shasta County Sheriff Issues Evacuation Warnings for Residents Along Hwy 36 in Western Shasta Because of McFarland Fire
• McFarland Fire Tops 20,000 Acres, Only 5% Contained as Flames Close in on Hwy 36, But Firefighters Hold the Line There