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CURRENT SITUATION: Overnight the weather front brought 4 inches of rain to the fire area. With this amount of rainfall on the fire footprint there is a chance for mud slides. Yesterday, on US 199 we had multiple small slides and rocks fall onto the highway; however, Caltrans has a team in place dedicated to quickly and safely remove the debris. The fire behavior today is expected to be minimal with smoldering in protected areas such as duff layers, tree wells and stump holes. Be aware of secondary fire effects of fire weakened trees, unstable root systems and rocks rolling off the hillside.

While all the county road closures that run through the Smith River Complex are lifted, the forest and the forest roads remain closed meaning you are prohibited from recreating or hunting in those areas. With the potential increase in civilian road traffic through the area, be cautious when driving because fire crews are still operating in and around the area. If you have any questions about closures, please refer to the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office and Caltrans. 

WEATHER: Scattered showers in the morning today before showers turn more isolated by the afternoon. Winds will be breezy from the southwest. A weak cold front will push through the region overnight on Tuesday with wetting rains of between 0.25-0.75 inches of rainfall expected.  Temperatures today in the valley are 58-63° and on the ridgetops 54-58°. Relative humidity in the valley 75-81% and on the ridgetops 81-86%. Today valley winds are southwest 6-9 mph with gusts up to 15 mph and on the ridgetop winds southwest 10-15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.

EVACUATIONS: All evacuations have been lifted. For continuous updates view the interactive evacuation map online: tinyurl.com/29vv2wpm.

CLOSURES: US 199 in Del Norte County is fully closed twice daily, Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 11 AM and from 1 PM to 4 PM. During all open hours, traffic will be one-way and piloted between Grassy Flat Campground east of Gasquet and Oregon Mountain Road. Motorists should anticipate delays during all open hours. Caltrans provides information on current highway conditions online (roads.dot.ca.gov), by phone (800-427-7623), and on Facebook (facebook.com/CaltransD1).

Six Rivers National Forest lands, roads, and trails around the Smith River Complex fires are closed (Forest Order No. 10-23-08). View the Order, closure map, and day use exceptions on the Forest’s website: tinyurl.com/4atens8c.