[UPDATED 2:30 p.m.] More Evacuations Ordered This Morning as the Six Rivers Lightning Complex Takes New Ground

The Bremer Fire at Peach Tree Lane last night. [Photo by Musette Scott]

Firefighters, engines, dozers, and resources of every type are rolling into the Willow Creek/Salyer area as the Six Rivers Lightning Complex Fires switches command. Tonight, a Type 2 Incident Management Team 11 takes charge of the multiple fires that started after a lightning storm passed through early August 5.

The fires were mildly active overnight. This morning just before 10 a.m., the Trinity County Sheriff’s Department issued new evacuation orders. Other orders and warnings are in effect from yesterday.

The heat maps from the Salyer Heights area, if accurate as they usually are, show the fire spotting towards the southeast. They also show multiple homes nearly overrun by fire. BUT, as of 5:38 a.m. when Rod Mendes, Chief of the Yurok Fire Department whose crews are fighting in the area posted on Facebook, “Crews worked all night holding the lines and keeping fire out of the housing area at salyer heights. So far no structures have been lost. Still its a trickey situation and fingers crossed as we move into another day.”

According to Tom Stokesberry, Northern Operations Fire Public Affairs Specialist for the US Forest Service, the area is under a Red Flag Warning until this evening because of heat but mainly because of the winds. He told us that this incident is the number one priority in the northern part of California.

Stokesberry confirmed that “no structures [had been] lost at this time.” He credited the “around the clock hard work of the fire crews.”

In addition, he also explained that the names of the fires had been changed. (See below.) 

The heat map with names placed by us.

We’ve gathered the most important information about the Six Rivers Lightning Complex and organized it below for our readers.

Compelling Images:

Smoke rising from the fires on Campbell Ridge which is east of Willow Creek. [Photo taken about 3 p.m. on Saturday by Marja Alaniva]

Fire north of Willow Creek (Either the Waterman or the Bremer0 Video by Mike Grimaldo

Flames and smoke rise from Campbell Ridge. [Photo taken at 9:14 p.m. yesterday from Campora Propane by Zanobi Paff]

Flames pouring down the hills surrounding the small town of Salyer last night. [Photo taken at 9:23 p.m. from the parking lot at the Salyer Store by Zanobi Paff]

Smoke from the Friday or Ammon Fire this morning. There is a confusion over names in the official accounts. [Photo from Geoffrey Churchill]

The Plan:

 The Lookout with Zeke Lunder, wildfire analyst, takes a peek at the Six Rivers Complex starting about minute 10. 

The Weather:  

According to the National Weather Service, Salyer will have a high of 84 with “Light and variable wind becoming northwest 8 to 13 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph.” Expect widespread smoke.

According to Tom Stokesberry, Northern Operations Fire Public Affairs Specialist for the US Forest Service, the area is under a Red Flag Warning until this evening because of heat but mainly because of the winds.

The Roads:

Hwy 299 is open but please keep your eye on Caltrans QuickMap for the latest information.

The following roads into evacuation zones have been closed. (Please note we believe more rural roads have been closed but don’t yet have accurate information. These are just the ones we know for sure.) Residents may still use these roads to travel out of evacuation order zones:

• • Horse Linto Creek Road at Saddle Lane
  • Seeley McIntosh Road at Country Club Road
  • Friday Ridge Road at Sandy Bar

The Maps:

• KMZ Map–[PLEASE NOTE THIS IS AN INCOMPLETE LOOK. Some fires in the complex were not mapped for heat.] Zoom for detail or for 3D imagery, click on the map and download a file that connects with your Google Earth program.

Evacuation Information:

• Click here for the latest evacuation information from Humboldt County
• Click here for the latest evacuation information from Trinity County

Earlier:

• Six Rivers NF Lists More Fires] Lightning Storm Peppers Northern Humboldt, Multiple Fires Reported
• Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services Issues an Advisory to Willow Creek Area After Multiple Fires
• Evacuation Orders Issued for Residents east of Willow Creek by HCSO and Evacuation Warnings Issued for Residents Near Salyer by TCSO
• Evacuation Orders and Warnings Expand as of 7:36 p.m. for Residents of the Willow Creek Area
• Over 500 Acres Burning Around Willow Creek This Evening as Latest Info on the Six Rivers Lightning Complex Released
• Six Rivers Lightning Complex Grows, Threatening Homes and Forcing Evacuations
• Trinity County Sheriff’s Department Issues Evacuation Orders For Areas Near Salyer
• New Evacuation Warning Issued for North of Willow Creek
• Humboldt County Issues New Evacuation Orders at 7:37 p.m.
• Six Rivers Lightning Complex Doubles in Size, 0% Containment