Positive Signs: Deep Fire Stays Put and Firefighters Hold Strong

Smoldering vegetation along the Stuart Fork Trail [Photo: Mitch Hokanson/USFS]

The Deep Fire showed little overall growth and is still mapped at 3,823 acres. Containment remains at 16%. As anticipated, fire behavior did pick up yesterday as vegetation began to dry out. The fire continues to smolder in lighter ground fuels and individual snags continue to burn.

Yesterday, crews looked for opportunities to work as closely to the fire’s southern edge as possible. They’ll start building line today from Cherry Flat along the ridge north/northeast to the Wilderness boundary, with the intent of keeping the fire as much as possible in the Wilderness. Protecting the Trinity Alps Resort, the Van Matre and other private inholdings, timberlands, and other infrastructure remains the top priority. Sprinklers and hose have been placed and engines remain available to respond should fire approach.

On the east side of the fire, the terrain remains challenging as burning material from upslope continues to roll across the trail and ignite vegetation between the Stuart Fork Trail and the creek. Crews remain on hand to extinguish any slopovers caused by rollout and to mop up carefully to ensure that the control line along the trail holds.

The steep, rocky north side of the fire is not conducive to direct tactics but crews are looking for opportunities to keep northern spread minimal. They also continue to deal with rollout and burning snags. On the east, little growth has been observed as the fire moves into large rock outcroppings and light high elevation fuels.

Critical resource needs, including for Wilderness-capable Advanced Life Support, Rapid Extraction Modules, and specialized crews for working in the steep and rugged terrain, continue to be met. Many firefighters are remaining on the fireline for 24 hours, and they are being resupplied by mule train and by helicopter when air is clear.

The weather today is expected to trend warmer and drier. Light diurnal winds are anticipated, with little to no threat for convective activity.

There is a forest closure associated with the Deep Fire. For current information on forest closures, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/stnf

MAP:

WEATHER: According to InciWeb, “Cooler temperatures, along with the possibility of a passing shower or thunderstorm, will continue today. A warming and drying trend is expected to begin tomorrow, bringing with it the continued chance of afternoon thunderstorms.  ”

ROAD CLOSURES: There are currently no road closures associated with the Deep Fire. For information on roads in the area, visit Caltrans QuickMap.

FOREST CLOSURES: There is a forest closure associated with the Deep Fire. Deep Fire Area Closure Map and the Closure Order.

EVACUATIONS: For the most up-to-date information on evacuations in Trinity County go to https://tinyurl.com/29f8uwmk

Important links to also watch:

• Trinity County Sheriff Department 
• Trinity County Office of Emergency Services
• Shasta-Trinity National Forest Facebook
• 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
• The Deep Fire, West of Trinity Lake, Estimated to Be 1000 Acres
• Battle Against the Deep Fire: Firefighters Confront Challenges in Rugged Trinity County
• The 3,662 Acre Deep Fire Continues Uncontained in the Rugged Terrain West of Trinity Lake
• Deep Fire: Rain from Hurricane Hillary Helped