Single Publication

Smith River Complex Daily Update for October 5, 2023 

Size: 94,690 acres
Percent Contained: 91%
Cause: Lightning
Fire Information: 707-383-9727
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Mon-Fri)

Email: 2023.SmithRiverComplex@firenet.gov
Incident Website: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/casrf-smith-river-complex-
Vegetation: Timber (Litter and Understory) and Brush
Number of Personnel Assigned: 726
Start Date: Tuesday, August 15, 2023, 0700

ANNOUNCEMENT: Updates will only be released every other day. Our phone hours have changed to 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday.

CURRENT SITUATION: The fire is being held within the containment lines and total containment increased to 91% with the total acres burned at 94,690. The weather will continue to get warmer and drier through Saturday and firefighters remain vigilant as winds increase. A firefighting UAS (unmanned aircraft system) with infrared capabilities has been flying the fire and picks up occasional hot spots. Heat signature information is relayed to firefighting crews, and they continue to extinguish those hot spots and interior smokes. The fire was wind tested yesterday and overnight, it held within containment lines, and it’s not expected to grow. Crews continue to assess the fire from the ground and air as the fire areas dry out and accessibility improves.

Extensive suppression repair and hazard tree abatement work continues throughout the fire. Firefighters have almost secured the fire line around the Craig Creek drainage and the Hurdy Gurdy Fire. Water bars are being constructed near primary containment lines to prepare for the rainy season. Machine work and hazard tree removal is occurring along the 17N49 road as well as south of US199 near Little Jones Rd (17N08). Additional work continues on US199, the 405 road and the French Hill area. Great suppression repair work has occurred on the 05 and 08 roads with one or more days of work left. Major chipping operations continue throughout all repair areas. Crews have made great progress with suppression repair work in Gasquet (17N69), Steven’s and Smith River repair areas with possibly three to four more arduous workdays. As the soil continues to dry out and containment increases, crews will identify additional target areas to complete suppression repair work. Positive attitudes, hard work and diligent focus by firefighters continues. More heavy equipment is coming in as crews try to maintain the cultural and natural resources of the area.

WEATHER: Drier, windy and warmer weather will be occurring through Saturday with light rain expected on Sunday. Warm temperatures and breezy conditions will continue for the next few days. Northeasterly winds will be felt with gusts of 18-30 mph. Possible rain on Sunday that could continue through Wednesday but only a total of one to one and half inches will fall.

CLOSURES: While county roads remain open, Six Rivers National Forest lands, roads, and trails around the Smith River Complex fires are closed (Forest Order No. 10-23-09). View the Order and closure map on the Forest’s website: tinyurl.com/4atens8c.
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).