Firefighters Push Back at McFarland Fire But Hot, Dry Weather Expected to Feed the Flames

Monday, 9 August 2021, 11:02 am Kym Kemp One comment

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

Posted 11 a.m.

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

With updated mapping, the McFarland Fire is at 32,687 and is 26% contained. Currently, the fire is burning in the areas of Dubakella Mountain on the west, Highway 36 to the north, Beegum Gorge to the east and the August Complex burn scar to the south. Firefighters continued to work in difficult and dangerous terrain yesterday to suppress the fire where they could and utilized indirect tactics to reinforce lines in the fire area. After careful assessment, crews found opportunities to use firing tactics to control the fire perimeter on the northwest and east sides of the fire by tying them in with dozer lines. The burnout operation on the western portion of the fire was supported by air tankers dropping retardant lines and by helicopters dropping water, and was successful. Burnout on the east was also successful despite aircraft not being able to support due to smoke conditions. A reconnaissance flight over the eastern portion of the fire met continued smoky conditions but was able to determine the fire was holding within the containment lines. Crews working the northwest corner and along the Highway 36 corridor reported the line was holding, and were mopping up and securing this section.

Overnight fire behavior remained active. Firefighters working the fireline last night saw flanking, backing, single tree torching and short range spotting. Firefighters, however, were able to continue their work and improve dozer and hand lines during the night shift. Crews on the northwest section of the fire will work to complete burnout operation on Dubakella Mountain north to Highway 36 and securing this firing operation. A successful burnout operation on Dubakella Mountain along with holding the line and mopping it up will increase the likelihood that the fire spread on the western portion of the fire will significantly be reduced…With improved visibility today, it is anticipated that aerial firefighting will be able to support firefighters on the ground where needed.

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

The Stats:

The Weather:

According to the Shasta-Trinity National Forest Public Affairs Office:

A building high pressure over the Pacific Northwest will bring a warming and drying trend for most this week with highs in the 90’s. Relative humidity will sink to critical levels in the low to mid-teens with poor RH recovery. Mostly light, terrain-driven winds will prevail over the lower elevation for the fire while southeasterly Delta breezes prevail over the higher elevations and ridges.

Smoke forecast for today and Tuesday continues to indicate improving conditions. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/Xr9hMScIoF

— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) August 9, 2021

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:

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 Mad River Grange, 110 Hatchery Rd., Blue Lake and another Evacuation Shelter is being opened in Redding by the Red Cross. The American Red Cross is opening a shelter for #DixieFire and #MonumentFire evacuees at Shasta College, 11555 Old Oregon Trail, Building 1900, #Redding, CA.
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.”