The South Fork Complex, Burning Mainly in Humboldt County but Perched Near Hyampom in Trinity County, Grows

Several wildfires, collectively known as the South Fork Complex, are burning in eastern Humboldt County, but are mostly a cause for concern for the residents of Hyampom and its surrounding areas in Trinity County. The fires, triggered by a barrage of lightning storms that passed over the region last week, have already consumed 948 acres and have little containment on the two largest fires.

The South Fork Complex is comprised of four separate blazes – the 3-9, Pilot, Sulphur, and Pellitreau fires – which have expanded since their initial ignition. With the Pilot fire covering approximately 500 acres and the 3-9 Fire having consumed around 412 acres about five miles west of the community of Hyampom, the situation remains serious. However, the Pellitreau Fire (at 3.4 acres and the Sulphur Fire (at 33 acres) have dozer and hose line around the perimeter.   “Firefighters continue to extinguish hot spots and monitor the perimeter,” the Forest Service reports via InciWeb.

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UPDATE:

Progress Being Made on the South Fork Complex Fires

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According to the National Forest Service, the fires are burning across areas characterized by steep and rugged terrain, housing a dense concentration of drought-stressed trees. A significant number of these trees, already dead and fallen, are serving as additional fuel for the flames, driving the fire’s rapid spread. The unstable condition of these trees poses a grave danger to firefighters. The threat of falling branches and debris heightens the risk to the personnel battling the blaze on the ground.

Currently there are 258 Personnel–11 Hand Crews; 37 Engines, 2 Dozers; 5 Water Tenders assigned to the Complex. With the fires across northwestern California continuing to advance and weather conditions remaining unpredictable, the collaborative efforts of local fire departments, emergency response teams, and concerned citizens are being stretched hard.

Press release from Six Rivers National Forest Service:

Current Conditions: The South Fork Complex includes the 3-9, Sulfur, Pellitreau fires and the Pilot Fire. These are full suppression fire, meaning firefighters will aggressively fight fire whenever it is safe to do so. Today crews will continue fire suppression efforts with the objective of keeping the fire north of Highway 36 between Fern Gulch and Mad River; east of Mad River, bearing north at Bug Creek to Snow Cap Mountain; south of power line clearance between Snow Cap Mountain and South Fork Trinity River; and west of South Fork of Trinity River from Mule Bridge to Highway 36. Firefighters will work to suppress the fire while also protecting property, natural and cultural resources.

The fires are located in areas with steep rugged terrain which contains a dense concentration of drought stressed trees. Many of these trees are dead and down on the ground, which is contributing to the fire’s spread. The condition of the trees also creates a dangerous environment for firefighters as they are unstable and may have branches that could fall and injure those working below them. More equipment and personnel have been ordered to the incident.

A community meeting is being held Tuesday, August 22nd at 6:00pm. The meeting will be held at the at the Veteran’s Hall – VFW Post 9546 located at: 9201 CA-3, Hayfork, CA. This meeting will be in-person.

 

WEATHER:   

An area of low pressure west of Central California will maintain seasonal temperatures today with a slight cooling trend through Monday. Temperature highs are expected to be between 76-86 degrees with lows of 63-37 degrees. Diurnal slope winds are expected with west-northwest winds over the ridges. Afternoon and evening thunderstorms are likely in the vicinity of the complex again today. Gusty N/NW winds are forecasted for the upper elevations of the complex after 6pm Sunday.

EVACUATION WARNINGS:  

Trinity County Sherriff’s Office has issued evacuation warnings for the HYM-505 and HYM-509 areas; refer to the evacuation link below for details:

Trinity County Wildfire and Evacuation Status Map

For more information on the South Fork Complex incident: 

 

Fire Information: (530) 638-2830

Email: [email protected]

Additional Weather notes: The National Weather Service in Eureka predicts  that there is a “chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2pm, then isolated thunderstorms after 2pm.”

Other important information:

• Command: Ca-Type 2, IMT 11
• Evacuations: There are evacuation warnings in the Hyampom area.  For the most up-to-date information on evacuations in Humboldt County use the evacuation map at https://protect.genasys.com/search. For the most up-to-date information on evacuations in Trinity County go to https://tinyurl.com/29f8uwmk
• There is a forest closure order for hunters. See here. Map of area here.
• Important links to also watch:
  • Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department
  • Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services
  • Trinity County Sheriff Department 
  • Trinity County Office of Emergency Services
  • Six Rivers National Forest Service
  • InciWeb

Earlier:

• Red Flag Warning Issued as Lightning Strikes Pepper the Emerald Triangle
• Powerful Lightning Storm Leaves Multiple Fires to Combat in Northwestern California
• Lightning-Sparked Wildfires Stretch Resources in Northwestern California; Head Fire in Siskiyou County Estimated Over 3000 Acres
• Wildfires Unleashed on Northwestern California: Thousands of Acres Covered by Flames, Evacuations Ordered Following Lightning Storms
• Red Flag Warning Over the South Fork Complex Mostly Burning in Humboldt County But Threatening Hyampom in Trinity County