[UPDATE 10:56 a.m.: Map of New Evacuation Order and Warning Areas] Leaping Almost 15,000 Acres Since Yesterday, the Monument Fire Closes in on 100,000 Acres

Weather conditions supercharged the Monument Fire yesterday. The 2 a.m. mapping flight showed a jump of almost 15,000 acres from roughly the same time the day before–mostly a push to the east (see maps below). The fire is now 97,287 acres. It will likely surpass 100,000 acres today. After lightning started this monster on July 30, firefighters have managed to create just 10% containment.

In an ominous sign, the Trinity County Sheriff’s Department issued a new Evacuation Order for Sky Ranch Road late yesterday. And at 9:05 a.m., they issued new evacuation warnings for areas near Hayfork–“This includes N Meadow, S Meadow, Barker Valley Road, Barker Creek Road, Garden Gulch Lane, Carr Creek Road, Victoria Lane, and Hayfork Summit.”

And as of 10:20 a.m., the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office issued new evacuation orders: New Evacuation Orders Issued on the Monument Fire (MAP)

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

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

…Last night, the Monument fire was extremely active on all flanks, predominately to the southeast.  The fire exhibited long, uphill runs and group torching as it advanced towards Sky Ranch Road in Junction City, prompting the evacuation order issued by Trinity County Sheriff.  As the fire intensified, firefighters and heavy equipment resources were reallocated to the area. Crews made an aggressive attack to keep the fire within the containment lines, preventing further spread.  Crews concentrated their efforts on point protection, defending structures and the values at risk in and around the surrounding area of Junction City.
 
Yesterday, the fire also made an uphill run towards the Ironside Lookout on the northwest portion east of the Trinity River. Embers ignited receptive fuels destroying the Lookout and communication infrastructure for the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and a repeater site for the incident. Crews are in the area monitoring how far the fire backs down toward the New River, assessing structures in the area. 
 
During the night operational period, the fire activity moderated which allowed crews to continue firing operations on the along the west side from the power lines to Chaparral Mountain.  Crews held the line and defended structures in the area.  Work is being done to reinforce and improve upon existing containment lines west to the community of Burnt Ranch.
 
Today, the fire is burning to the north into the wilderness and fire crews have successfully held the fire to the west side of the North Fork of the Trinity River.  Firefighters continue to monitor fire activity around the community of Helena east along SR-299. 
 
Firefighters should experience less smoke shading today, providing better visibility on the west side of the fire.  Air operations are mobilized and ready to support ground suppression efforts as soon as visibility permits. 
Alignment of slope, wind and steep terrain will create high rates of spread presenting extreme fire behavior. Firefighters remain steadfast in their effort to minimize the threat to life, property, and critical infrastructure within the impacted communities.
The Incident Management Team is continually assessing and developing strategies for construction and location of additional contingency lines.

The Plan:

https://www.facebook.com/ShastaTrinityNF/posts/3052219808343391

The Stats:

863 Total personnel, 10 hand crews, 76 engines, 6 helicopters, 11 dozers, 6 water tenders, 6 masticator

The Weather:  

The weather will once again be hot and dry and, like yesterday northwest winds will challenge firefighters on the east side of the fire through Tuesday.

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

Gusty northwest winds developed during the afternoon with gusts around 20-25 mph in the late evening along the ridge lines and up the Trinity River Canyon. Winds backed off overnight, but remained gusty along the ridges at 20 mph.  Expecting strong northwest today with hot temperatures and lower RH lasting through the night.

The Roads:

According to Caltrans QuickMap, Hwy 299 is closed 2.1 miles east of Junction City to 4.6 miles west of Burnt Ranch.

The Maps:

• Public Information 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 American Red Cross is opening a shelter for #DixieFire and #MonumentFire evacuees at Shasta College, 1155 Old Oregon Trail, Building 1900, #Redding, CA.
  • Evacuation Center on western side of the fire:
    Trinity Velley Elementary School, 730 California 96, Willow Creek, CA 95573
• Areas under Evacuation Warning are
  • N Meadow,
  • S Meadow,
  • Barker Valley Road,
  • Barker Creek Road,
  • Garden Gulch Lane,
  • Carr Creek Road,
  • Victoria Lane,
  • Hayfork Summit.
• Areas under Evacuation Order are:
  • Big Bar
  • Big Flat
  • Burnt Ranch
  • Canyon Creek
  • Cedar Flat
  • Coopers Bar
  • Del Loma
  • Helena
  • Junction City
  • Red Hill
  • Sky Ranch 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.” More information here: Animal Shelter Evacuation Information From the Trinity County Sheriff’s Department In addition, Domestic + Large Animals can be taken to the Hoopa Rodeo Grounds on Pine Creek Rd, Willow Creek, CA
• Mandatory evacuations caused by fast moving wildfires in the local area have resulted in the temporary closures of several Trinity County Post Offices.
  Customers impacted by these closures may pick-up mail at alternative locations.
  See details below:

  

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 Another 6000 Acres, Now at 15,000 and 0% Contained
• Monument Fire Grows Over 2500 Acres Today
• About 240 Customers Without Power as the Monument Fire Continues to Disrupt the Lives of the Small Communities Along Hwy 299
• Monument Grew Another 7000 Acres to Almost 25,000 and Remains Uncontained
• Evacuation Warning For Helena, Junction City, Coopers Bar, Red Hill, and Canyon Creek
• Trinity County Sheriff Issued an Evacuation Order for Big Flat
• Monument Fire: New Evacuation Orders and Warnings as Fire Ramped Up Activity Today
• Structures in the Tiny Tourist Town of Big Flat Burned as Monument Fire Swallows Another 10,000 Acres, Still 0% Contained
• Trinity County Sheriff’s Office Issues Evacuation Order for Helena
• Monument Fire Grows to 42,567 Acres, Still 0% Containment
• Spot Fire Northwest of Junction City
• Monument Fire Just Under 50,000 Acres and 0% Contained as It Spread Quickly Overnight
• Monument Fire Surpasses 50,000 Acres
• Evacuation Order Issued for Burnt Ranch Area
• Temporary Evacuation Point Set Up for Evacuees From the Monument Fire
• Monument Fire Captures Just Under 58,000 Acres, Firefighters Hold at 3% Containment
• Thirty-One Structures Destroyed so Far as the Monument Fire Takes 62,490 Acres
• After a Night Where the Fire Grew a Mile to the East in One Area, Red Flag Warning Will Challenge Crews Battling the Monument Fire Today
• Red Flag Conditions Again Today as Monument Fire Closes in on 75,000 Acres With Only 5% Containment
• Monument Fire Swells Another 4000 Acres; Containment Remains at 5%
• Wind and Hot Dry Temperatures Could Challenge Crews on the Monument Fire Particularly on the East Side Today
• The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office Issued an Evacuation Order on the Monument Fire for Sky Ranch Road