Single Publication

Fire Update

2023 SRF Lightning Complex 

Friday, October 6, 2023 – 8:00 A.M.

California Interagency Incident Management Team 16

John Goss, Incident Commander

Information Phone: 530-618-3339

Email: 2023.lightningcomplex@firenet.gov 

Information Staffing Hours: 8 am to 8 pm

This update covers 6 of the 15 fires being managed as part of the SRF Lightning Complex. The Copper Fire (2184 acres) was absorbed by the Blue Creek #2 Fire. On September 22, 2023, the Bluff #1 Fire (4270 acres) and Blue Creek #2 Fire (9751 acres) were absorbed by the Mosquito Fire. The combination of Blue Creek #2 Fire, Bluff #1 Fire, and Mosquito Fire is now referred to as the Mosquito Fire. On September 30, 2023 we incorporated the management of the Hancock fire (1,728 acres, 100% contained). The remaining 6 fires (Big Foot, Blue Creek, Creek, Flat, Iron, and Merrill) totaling 34 acres, are contained and in patrol status. They are checked daily, and their size and containment remain unchanged. 

Current Situation:

The 15 fires on this incident total 49,509 acres and overall containment is 73%. In total, 392 personnel are assigned to the incident. A warming and drying trend continues across the Complex. Firefighters continue to diligently respond to and address additional heat as they pop up around the incident. This written incident update will be distributed every other day. If fire conditions necessitate this update will return to being distributed as often as necessary.

Crews continue to actively assess the conditions of the Pearch and Mosquito Fires. Prioritizing the safety of firefighters and the public is paramount, given that recent rainfall has heightened the risk of fire-weakened trees falling due to the saturation of soil. Continuous monitoring efforts have been extended to cover the remote Marlow Fire and the north side of the Mosquito Fire. Progress is steady on the mowing and mastication work taking place across many Divisions. On the Pearch Fire, the process of backhauling pumps and hoses from locations where they are no longer needed is nearly completed. Hazard tree removal, chipping, and suppression repair is in full swing.

Firefighters are closely monitoring the Highway 96 corridor and Salmon River Road for any signs of falling rocks, debris, or fire activity. Both CalTrans and Siskiyou County crews remain on standby to clear roadways if necessary. Fire activity is expected to increase throughout the week, due to warmer and dryer conditions. Smoke production will increase across areas affected by the fires over the next few days. Tactical patrol of the fires edge ensures that it remains in the existing footprint. 

Pearch Fire (12,131 acres, 67% contained) – The Pearch Fire is now in Patrol status as mop up continues. Firefighters have completed all backhaul and suppression repair in Butler Creek and Butler Flat. Suppression repair was completed on Michael Rd. Suppression repair continues around the town of Orleans.

Mosquito Fire (33,521 acres, 68% contained) –Suppression repair efforts are ongoing on the northeastern edge of the fire near the Dillon Mountain and Sidewinder Road as well as Lightning Ridge and Beans Ridge. On the east side, smoke production has increased due to isolated pockets of heat in the interior of the fire. With the increased temperatures smoke production is expected to continue but it is not a threat to the fire line. Crews are patrolling the Go Road. The Slate Creek mastication and chipping project was completed. A similar operation on Bluff Creek Road is nearing completion. 

Marlow Fire (1,988 acres, 100% contained) – Minimal activity is reported on the Marlow Fire, which is in a remote area. The fire is contained by indirect control lines to the east and south, as well as prior fire footprints where fuels are less dense. No values or structures are currently threatened by the Marlow Fire.

Monument (2 acres, 100% contained), Let er-Buck (96 acres, 100% contained) and Hancock (1,729 acres, 100% contained) Fires – A confinement strategy has been employed for these three fires due to the limited values at risk and the challenging, remote, and steep terrain, which presents safety concerns for firefighters. Natural fire barriers such as rock outcroppings and old fire footprints with sparse fuels are being used to contain fire growth until the arrival of season-ending precipitation. Regular monitoring by air ensures that both fires remain within an acceptable perimeter, all are now considered 100% contained.

Weather: Temperatures on Friday will once again range from 10 to 15 degrees above normal. By Saturday, the pattern shifts to slightly cooler onshore flow with temperatures about 5 degrees lower than Friday. On Friday, valley highs will continue to be in the upper 80s to mid-90s while temperatures along the mid-slopes and ridges will range from the lower 70s to lower 80s. Saturdays highs will range from the upper 60s on the ridges to the lower 90s in the valleys. Lighter winds will continue with speeds of 7 to 12 mph and gusts to 20 mph expected. Moderate to excellent overnight recoveries are expected in the valleys but mid-slopes and ridges will only see moderate recovery to the lower 40s on Friday. A slight uptick in moisture will be noted for Saturday with humidity readings about 10 percent higher than what is expected on Friday.

Please stay informed and exercise caution in the affected areas and be aware that warmer and drier conditions may lead to ongoing fire-related challenges.

Evacuation Information

Siskiyou County Office of Emergency Services: https://www.co.siskiyou.ca.us/emergencyservices 

Closures

Six Rivers National Forest: Area and campground closures are in effect on portions of Six Rivers National Forest. They can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/srnf/notices/?cid=FSEPRD1096395. 

Additional Fire Information

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/casrf-2023-srf-lightning-complex-and-redwood-lightning-complex 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2023SRFRedwoodLightning

More Fire Information Links: www.linktr.ee/srffirepio 

For Air Quality Information: www.airnow.gov 

NOTE: For information about the Elliot Fire which is part of the

Happy Camp Complex, please visit https://linktr.ee/happycampcomplex2023 .