McFarland Fire Grows to 31,185 Acres and 21% Containment

Sunday, 8 August 2021, 10:01 am Kym Kemp One comment

[Image from the U.S. Forest Service - Shasta-Trinity National Forest]

The McFarland Fire [Image posted August 7 on Shasta-Trinity National Forest Twitter Feed]

Posted 10 a.m.

Information from the Shasta-Trinity National Forest Public Affairs Office:

The McFarland Fire is currently 31,185 acres and 21% containment. The fire is well established in the Middle fork of Beegum Creek, Pole Corral Creek and South of Dubakella Mountain. Main fire spread is to the east/southeast. The fire is expected to continue to burn southeast up to and possibly over Little Red Mountain, toward Pole Corral Creek and Stuart Gap. Eastward movement will threaten BLM lands in the Beegum Avoidance area which is SRA protection land. Fire will progress out of Pole Corral Creek and toward Forest Road 35 and Pauls Day Road.

The fire has continued to spread mainly on the east and southern portions of the fire through dry, drought-stricken fuels. The fire growth was predominantly on the western and eastern sides of the fire and grew rapidly with a high resistance to control.

The drought and the dry hot weather have allowed all fuels to become available to burn. The lack of critical air resources and poor air quality combined with limited ground resources will continue to limit the ability to increase direct line construction. Overnight, firefighters worked around the fire line as fire behavior remained active with primary active flanking, backing, single tree torching and short-range spotting. These resources were responsible for both controlling the fire perimeter and protecting assets while trying to halt the fire’s spread.

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

Stats:

The Plan:

According to Shasta-Trinity National Forest Public Affairs Office,

Today, firefighters will fight fire as close to the fire’s edge as safely possible, on the east and southeast portions of the fire, while providing protection to structures when needed. Resources will also work to improve containment lines along Highway 36. Dozers and heavy equipment will continue to reopen dozer lines from last year’s August Complex Fire.

The Weather:

According to Shasta-Trinity National Forest Public Affairs Office,

A trough of low pressure moving over the Pacific Northwest will bring mostly light westerly winds over the higher elevations of the fire on Sunday, with terrain-driven or southeasterly winds over the lower elevations. Temperatures will remain very similar to yesterday. Relative humidity minimums will hover around the middle teens with gradually diminishing RH minimums. Gusty northwesterly late afternoon winds to 25mph will affect upper elevations of the fire tonight, diminishing after midnight. Temperatures will be in the highs of 88-92 degrees with lows of 58-63 degrees. RH lows will be 12-18% with highs around 44-52% Wind on the western side of the fire will come from the west/southwest at 3-6mph with gusts up to 10, then northwest 6-10mph after 5pm. The eastern side of the fire will have south/southeast winds from the south/southeast from 4-8mph with gusts around 10mph.

The Roads:

According to the National Forest Service, “The fire is still holding south of Highway 36 and firefighters continue to monitor the highway for any fire activity.”

- Hwy 36 is closed from White Rock to the Highway 3 junction.
- Wildwood Road is closed from Hwy 36 to Hwy 3.
- 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:

PIO 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 Including Community Meetings:

Evacuation Centers are at the First Baptist Church in Weaverville, CA, and at the Mad River Grange, 110 Hatchery Rd., Blue Lake.
Areas under Evacuation Order in Trinity County are:
- Wildwood (evacuation areas are SR 36 at Wildwood Canyon Road and north on Wildwood Road for 10 miles.)
Areas under Evacuation Warnings in Trinity County are:
- Post Mountain
- Trinity Pines
Areas under Evacuation Warnings in Shasta County are:
- Harrison Gulch from Highway 36 to Deerlick Springs Road
- Platina (Both sides of Highway 36 from Sunday Gulch Road to the Shasta/Tehama County line. All roads to the south of Highway 36 from Sunday Gulch Road to the Shasta/Tehama County line including: Beegum Gorge Road, Platinum Lane, Secluded Glen Lane, Shady Nook Drive and Beegum Road.)
- 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].
According to the Trinity County Animal Shelter, “If you are being evacuated and need help moving or a place to take large animals please call either the sheriffs office at 530.623.2611 or us here at the shelter at 530.623.1370.”