Shasta-Trinity NF Lightning Fire Update

August 22, 2020

South Fork Management Unit

Spring Fire

Date Reported: August 17, 2020

Acres Burned: 100 acres

Cause: Lightning

Location: south of Deerlick Springs Campground

Percent Contained: 0%

Resources

Crews: 3 Hand crews

Engines: 3 Engines, 3 Water tenders

Helicopters:  1

Dozer: 1

Total Personnel Assigned: 50

Current Fire Situation: Today firefighters are focusing efforts on the Spring Fire which is burning south of Deerlick Springs Campground north of Platina. The fire is estimated at 100 acres and multiple crews and dozers are working to build fire lines. The main challenges are very steep terrain and dense fuel. 

The Salmon Fire, which is burning in the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area, is being managed by California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 (CIIMT 4) as the Red Salmon Complex. For more information, please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6891.

The Elkhorn Fire, which is burning in the Tomhead Mountain area west of Red Bluff, is being managed by CAL FIRE as the Butte-Tehama-Glenn Lightning Complex. For more information, please visit the CAL FIRE incident page at: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/19/buttetehamaglenn-lightning-complex-tehamaglenn-zone/.

Starting Sunday more lightning storms are forecasted and the area is under a fire weather watch through Tuesday, for storms which may ignite more fires. Forest officials and firefighters closely monitor and respond to these fires and aerial reconnaissance flights will be used to determine potential growth activity of the fires and develop appropriate response activity. The reconnaissance flights are part of our normal operating plan after lightning storms.

Area Closures: Order No. 14-20-07 is effective from August 23, 2020 until the Elkhorn Fire is declared out. Order No. 14-20-05 is effective until September 30, 2020 for the Red Salmon Complex area. Fire closure orders and maps are posted online at: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/stnf/forestorders.

Fire Restrictions: As a reminder, fire restrictions are in place on the Shasta-Trinity NF. We recommend that you bookmark this webpage as restrictions can change: http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/stnf/forestorders.

Smoke Advisories: Smoke from fires in Northern California is drifting into the area today. For more information about the air quality in your area, please visit https://fire.airnow.gov/, http://californiasmokeinfo.blogspot.com/, or the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District (NCUAQMD) at http://www.ncuaqmd.org.

Fire Information: Shasta-Trinity NF Lightning fires information is available at 530-628-0039 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or online at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov.

SANTA FE, NM – Oct. 12, 2020 – A green pocket of fuel surrounded by black inside the Medio Fire perimeter is burning, putting up visible smoke but posing no threat to any values at risk. Local fire resources are monitoring the interior pocket which is about a quarter of a mile from the Medio Fire’s eastern edge.

Fire managers anticipated the possibility of unburned pockets of fuel igniting and generating smoke until winter weather settles into the area. The 4,010-acre Medio Fire was caused by lightning on Aug. 17 and declared fully contained on Sept. 14. Based on the amount of fuel in the area that is burning now, including several large downed logs, the smoke may continue for a few days.

Warm and dry conditions will continue through Wednesday which is forecast to bring record high temperatures for this time of year and single-digit humidity.  A cold front Thursday is expected to drop temperatures by 25 to 35 degrees but conditions will remain very dry.

The closure order remains in effect prohibiting members of the public from entering the area around the Medio Fire, including all Forest Service lands, roads and trails, roughly defined by the Rio Nambe Trail #160 on the north, the Borrego Trail #150 and Forest Road 412 on the east, Forest Road 102 on the south and back up the forest boundary line on the west to meet the Rio Nambe Trail #160. Although the Santa Fe National Forest does not have fire restrictions in place, fire danger is very high due to very low fuel moisture levels and continued hot, dry weather.

About 30% of the fire area burned at high or moderate severity, increasing the potential for post-fire runoff. Although the SFNF does not usually see monsoonal-type precipitation in October, residents of communities downstream from the burned area are advised to stay updated on weather conditions that could result in heavy rains over the Medio Fire footprint. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found on the National Weather Service website and through Alert Santa Fe.

If necessary, additional information on the Medio Fire will be posted on the SFNF Facebook and Twitter pages, Inciweb, NM Fire Info and the SFNF website.   

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This will be the final update on the Medio Fire unless conditions change.

Start date: Aug. 17, 2020             Cause: Lightning             

Size: 4,010 acres              Containment: 100%

Location: Rio en Medio Trail, Española Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest

Current status:  The Medio Fire is 100% contained.  Firefighters are monitoring the perimeter to ensure the lines are holding and the edges are cold. As temperatures warm this week, crews will watch for hot spots in the fire’s interior that may cause visible smoke. Crews will continue to monitor the Medio Fire over the next few days. A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team is assessing the Medio Fire’s potential effects on watersheds, focusing on immediate risks to human life and safety. The BAER assessment will be available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7133/.

Community Meeting: The Santa Fe National Forest will host a virtual community meeting on the Medio Fire and the BAER assessment on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 6 p.m. on the Santa Fe National Forest’s Facebook page. No account is required to view the video. Online Facebook questions will be monitored during the meeting.

Resources:  Two engine modules

Closures: The closure order remains in effect prohibiting members of the public from entering the area around the Medio Fire, including all Forest Service lands, roads and trails, roughly defined by the Rio Nambe Trail #160 on the north, the Borrego Trail #150 and Forest Road 412 on the east, Forest Road 102 on the south and back up the forest boundary line on the west to meet the Rio Nambe Trail #160. The closure area includes the entirety of the Rio en Medio Trail #163, which was severely damaged by the fire.

Weather: Temperatures today will be close to seasonal averages, and winds will be light to moderate. Warm and dry conditions are expected to continue throughout the week.

Values at risk: Nearby communities, Nambe Reservoir infrastructure, tribal and private inholdings, cultural resources, watersheds and riparian areas, power and phone lines, and grazing allotments.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Firefighters are conducting operations under protocols to mitigate the risk of COVID-19.

Smoke: As temperatures rise, smoke may be visible as unburned pockets of fuel ignite in the interior. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into the Santa Fe area to see the latest smoke information. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.

Fire updates are posted on the SFNF website, New Mexico Fire Information website and Inciweb as well as the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page and Twitter @SantafeNF.

Medio Fire Update Sept. 11, 2020:

Start date: Aug. 17, 2020             Cause: Lightning             

Size: 4,010 acres              Containment: 95%

Location: Rio en Medio Trail, Española Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest

Current status:  Moisture and cooler temperatures over the last few days minimized fire growth on the northeast corner of the Medio Fire, pushing into the fire scar from the 2011 Pacheco Fire. Firefighters continue to monitor containment lines as drier weather is expected. Interior pockets of unburned fuel may cause visible smoke. If there are no significant changes to fire behavior, the next update will be Monday, Sept. 14, 2020.

Resources:  Two hand crews, three engine modules, one helicopter and one fixed-wing aircraft.

Closures: The closure order remains in effect prohibiting members of the public from entering the area around the Medio Fire, including all Forest Service lands, roads and trails, roughly defined by the Rio Nambe Trail #160 on the north, the Borrego Trail #150 and Forest Road 412 on the east, Forest Road 102 on the south and back up the forest boundary line on the west to meet the Rio Nambe Trail #160. The Temporary Flight Restriction over the fire remains in place. The Santa Fe National Forest lifted campfire and smoking restrictions due to widespread moisture across the forest and decreasing fire danger.

Weather: Mostly sunny with temperatures increasing throughout the day. Over one inch of precipitation was recorded in the last 24 hours minimizing fire behavior. A warming and drying trend is expected to continue through the weekend.

Values at risk: Nearby communities, Nambe Reservoir infrastructure, tribal and private inholdings, cultural resources, watersheds and riparian areas, power and phone lines, and grazing allotments.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Firefighters are conducting operations under protocols to mitigate the risk of COVID-19.

Smoke: As temperatures rise, smoke may be visible as unburned pockets of fuel ignite in the interior. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into the Santa Fe area to see the latest smoke information. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.

Fire updates will be posted on the SFNF website, New Mexico Fire Information website and Inciweb as well as the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page and Twitter @SantafeNF.

Medio Fire Update Sept. 10, 2020

Start date: Aug. 17, 2020             Cause: Lightning              Size: 4,010 acres              Containment: 95%

Location: Rio en Medio Trail, Española Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest

Current status:  The Medio Fire received substantial precipitation overnight minimizing fire behavior and growth. No flooding has been reported. Firefighters continue to monitor containment lines on the fire’s perimeter as drier weather is expected over the next few days.

Resources:  Two hand crews, three engine modules, one helicopter and one fixed-wing aircraft.

Closures: The closure order remains in effect prohibiting members of the public from entering the area around the Medio Fire, including all Forest Service lands, roads and trails, roughly defined by the Rio Nambe Trail #160 on the north, the Borrego Trail #150 and Forest Road 412 on the east, Forest Road 102 on the south and back up the forest boundary line on the west to meet the Rio Nambe Trail #160. The Temporary Flight Restriction over the fire remains in place.

Weather: Scattered showers, light winds and below-normal temperatures today with drier and warmer weather expected for Friday and the weekend. 

Values at risk: Nearby communities, Nambe Reservoir infrastructure, tribal and private inholdings, cultural resources, watersheds and riparian areas, power and phone lines, and grazing allotments.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Firefighters are conducting operations under protocols to mitigate the risk of COVID-19.

Smoke: An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into the Santa Fe area to see the latest smoke information. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.

Fire updates will be posted on the SFNF website, New Mexico Fire Information website and Inciweb as well as the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page and Twitter @SantafeNF.

Medio Fire Update Sept. 9, 2020:
Cold Front Helps Increase Containment of Medio Fire

Start date: Aug. 17, 2020             Cause: Lightning              Size: 4,010 acres              Containment: 95%

Location: Rio en Medio Trail, Española Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest

Current status:  Containment lines continue to hold as strong winds from the northwest pushed the Medio Fire into the interior. Moisture from the cold front moving through New Mexico slowed movement in the northeast corner of the fire near the burn scar from the 2011 Pacheco Fire. Firefighters are monitoring containment lines on the fire’s perimeter.

Resources:  Two hand crews, three engine modules, one helicopter and one fixed-wing aircraft.

Closures: The closure order remains in effect prohibiting members of the public from entering the area around the Medio Fire, including all Forest Service lands, roads and trails, roughly defined by the Rio Nambe Trail #160 on the north, the Borrego Trail #150 and Forest Road 412 on the east, Forest Road 102 on the south and back up the forest boundary line on the west to meet the Rio Nambe Trail #160. The Temporary Flight Restriction over the fire remains in place.

Weather: The Medio Fire received snow and rain overnight with more precipitation expected tonight and tomorrow. Drier and warmer weather is expected for Friday and the weekend.

Values at risk: Nearby communities, Nambe Reservoir infrastructure, tribal and private inholdings, cultural resources, watersheds and riparian areas, power and phone lines, and grazing allotments.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Firefighters are conducting operations under protocols to mitigate the risk of COVID-19.

Smoke: Smoke is visible from fires across the western United States and the Medio Fire. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into the Santa Fe area to see the latest smoke information. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.

Fire updates will be posted on the SFNF website, New Mexico Fire Information website and Inciweb as well as the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page and Twitter @SantafeNF.

Start date: Aug. 17, 2020             Cause: Lightning              Size: 3,948 acres              Containment: 90%

Location: Rio en Medio Trail, Española Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest

Current status:  The Medio Fire continues to burn dead and down timber in the northeast corner, pushing into the fire scar from the 2011 Pacheco Fire. Fire activity added 50 acres to its footprint and continues to produce a fair amount of smoke.

Strong winds are affecting fire behavior with multiple pockets of unburned fuels heating up in the interior. Firefighters are monitoring containment lines on the fire’s perimeter, which continue to hold.

Resources:  One hand crew, three engine modules, two helicopters and a fixed-wing aircraft.

Closures: The closure order remains in effect prohibiting members of the public from entering the area around the Medio Fire, including all Forest Service lands, roads and trails, roughly defined by the Rio Nambe Trail #160 on the north, the Borrego Trail #150 and Forest Road 412 on the east, Forest Road 102 on the south and back up the forest boundary line on the west to meet the Rio Nambe Trail #160. The Temporary Flight Restriction over the fire remains in place.

Weather:  An unseasonably strong storm system pushes a cold front through New Mexico today, bringing lower temperatures, strong winds and widespread rainfall with the possibility of snow at higher elevations.

Values at risk: Nearby communities, Nambe Reservoir infrastructure, tribal and private inholdings, cultural resources, watersheds and riparian areas, power and phone lines, and grazing allotments.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Firefighters are conducting operations under protocols to mitigate the risk of COVID-19.

Smoke: Smoke is visible from fires across the western United States and the Medio Fire. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into the Santa Fe area to see the latest smoke information. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.

Fire updates will be posted on the SFNF website, New Mexico Fire Information website and Inciweb as well as the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page and Twitter @SantafeNF.

 Medio Fire Update Sept. 7, 2020:
Pockets of Unburned Fuels Heat Up Due to High Temps, Single-Digit Humidity;
Closure Order Prohibits the Public from Entering the Area