U.S. Forest Service and California Incident Management Team 12 will host a Red Salmon Complex Community meeting on Friday Oct. 23 at 12:00 PM at the Cecilville Community Center. 

Due to the lack of cell service and WiFi, this meeting will be held in person outside in the parking lot.  The event will be recorded and uploaded after the meeting to the Red Salmon Facebook page.

Participants are asked to adhere to CDC mandates, follow all regulations of social distancing and wearing masks. The incident will supply the appropriate personal protective items (masks & hand sanitizer). Any questions after the meeting on the recorded posting will be addressed as soon as possible.

Special Statement

U.S. Forest Service and California Incident Management Team 12 will host a Red Salmon Complex Community meeting on Friday Oct. 23 at 12:00 PM at the Cecilville Community Center.  Due to the lack of cell service and WiFi, this meeting will be held in person outside in the parking lot.  The event will be recorded and uploaded after the meeting to the Red Salmon Facebook page. Participants are asked to adhere to CDC mandates, follow all regulations of social distancing and wearing masks. The incident will supply the appropriate personal protective items (masks & hand sanitizer). Any questions after the meeting on the recorded posting will be addressed as soon as possible.

Yesterday: Creeping and backing fire continued in the West Fork of Plummer creek, east of Dees Peak, east of Potato Mountain and along the East Fork of the New River. Fire was actively backing with 1-2 foot flame lengths, cleaning up unburned fuels in its way.  Active snag burning was observed. The majority of work in all other divisions consists of suppression repair and back haul of accountable property and equipment. 

Weather and Fire Behavior:  A weak cold front moved through the area yesterday. This front lowered temperatures and increased humidity values until this afternoon when a drier air mass will filter in and drop humidity levels once again. A red flag warning began last night and will expire at 11:00 AM. Fuel moisture levels will remain low allowing the fire to remain active for the near future with moderate fire behavior. Rain is not forecast in the immediate future. Smoke impacting the area remains constant due to continued nightly inversions over the fire area. For information on smoke impacts and how you can lessen your exposure, go to www.airnow.gov.   

Today’s Operations: Crews will continue monitoring and strengthening lines along Plummer Creek and conduct suppression and line repair work where allowable. As fire containment increases, crews will shift operations from suppression tactics to suppression repair work. Suppression repair and equipment back haul operations continue in the remaining divisions, with the collection and return of the miles of hose, water pumps, and portable water tanks to fire camp for cleaning, packaging and shipping.

Closures: For Firefighter and public safety, fire officials remind visitors that areas and roads within and near the perimeter of the fire are closed.  More information is available on forest websites: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices | www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/srnf/alerts-notices | www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/stnf/alerts-notices

The Regional Forester has extended regional fire restrictions through October 30, 2020. The signed letter and regional order no. 20-23 are attached for your information. 

Red Salmon Complex Smoke Outlook for 10-22-2020 

Willow Creek, CA –   Notice: On 10/17, there was an intrusion into the restricted airspace over the fire by a drone. Temporary Flight Restrictions remain over the entire Red Salmon fire area until further notice.  This includes drones. Remember: If you fly, we can’t.

Yesterday: Creeping and backing fire continued in the West Fork of Plummer creek, east of Dees Peak, and along the East Fork of the New River. Fire was actively backing with 1-2 foot flame lengths, cleaning up unburned fuels in its way. Pockets of heavy fuel were burning across the fire’s interior near Horse Linto Creek and Bear Camp. Crews remained in Division P doing line restoration and suppression repair work alongside heritage consultants and resource advisors. The Forks Base Camp relocated to Cecilville. The majority of work in all the other divisions consists of suppression repair and back haul of accountable property and equipment. 

Weather and Fire Behavior:  A drier air mass will filter in and drop humidity levels once again. A red flag warning mainly for the higher elevations began last night and will continue through mid-day Friday. Fuel moisture levels will remain low allowing the fire to remain active for the near future with moderate fire behavior. Rain is not forecast in the immediate future. Smoke impacting the area remains likely due to continued nightly inversions over the fire area. For information on smoke impacts and how you can lessen your exposure, go to www.airnow.gov.   

Today’s Operations: Crews will continue monitoring and strengthening lines along Plummer Creek and conduct suppression efforts and line repair work. Suppression repair and equipment back haul operations continue in the remaining divisions, as well as, equipment and other resources from the communities of Forks of the Salmon, Denny, and other private ranches, inholdings and properties. As fire containment increases, crews shift operations from suppression tactics to suppression repair work and the collection and return of the miles of hose, water pumps, and portable water tanks back to fire camp for cleaning, packaging and shipping.

Closures: For Firefighter and public safety, fire officials remind visitors that areas and roads within and near the perimeter of the fire are closed.  More information is available on forest websites: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices | www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/srnf/alerts-notices | www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/stnf/alerts-notices

Red Salmon Smoke Outlook for 10-21-2020/10-22-2020

The Red Salmon Complex is 143,300 acres and 72% contained. The fire remained fairly quiet last night with minimal activity. Colder temperatures are expected today/tonight as a cold and dry airmass moves over the area. Minimal to moderate fire activity is expected today.

Smoke: Orleans, Weitchpec, Hoopa, and Willow Creek can expect periods of Moderate air quality with Good levels overall. Other areas around the fire can also expect Good air quality with the potential for some smoke if fire activity increases. Forks of Salmon will continue to see worse air quality as smoke lingers in the vicinity. Although mild to moderate behavior is expected today, any increases in activity may create more local smoke impacts.

Health: It's a great time to open doors and windows when the air quality is Good to help improve your indoor air quality.

Willow Creek, CA –   Notice: On 10/17, there was an intrusion into the restricted airspace over the fire by a drone. Temporary Flight Restrictions remain over the entire Red Salmon fire area until further notice.  This includes drones. Remember: If you fly, we can’t.

Yesterday: Fire activity continued in the South Fork of the Salmon River, Methodist Creek, Plummer Creek, and the East Fork of the New River.  Fire was seen backing down toward Plummer creek to the confluence of the Salmon river, cleaning up unburned fuels in a steady progression in islands within the fire’s interior. The fire crews assigned to Devil’s Backbone completed their mission successfully and hiked back out of the area.  Two crews will remain in Division P doing line restoration and suppression repair work alongside a heritage consultant. 

Weather and Fire Behavior:  A weak cold front moved into the area overnight Tuesday. This front will lower temperatures and increase humidity values until Thursday morning when a drier air mass will filter in and drop humidity levels once again. Fuel moisture levels will remain low allowing the fire to remain active for the near future with moderate fire behavior possible. Rain is not forecast in the immediate future. Smoke impacting the area remains likely due to a light inversion over the fire. For information on smoke impact, go to www.airnow.gov.   

Today’s Operations: Crews will continue monitoring lines along Plummer Creek. In division P, crews will continue suppression efforts and conduct repair work where possible.  Crews will also be active in the Salmon Ridge and Fawn ridge areas for suppression repair. Back haul of equipment and other resources will continue in the communities of Forks of the Salmon, Cecilville, Denny, and other private ranches, inholdings and properties.

Fire suppression repair is occurring both within the Wilderness and on all flanks of the fire where containment has been achieved. As fire containment increases, crews shift from suppression tactics to suppression repair work and the collection and return of the miles of hose, water pumps, and portable water tanks back to fire camp for cleaning, packaging and shipping.

Closures: For Firefighter and public safety, fire officials remind visitors that areas and roads within and near the perimeter of the fire are closed.  More information is available on forest websites: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices | www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/srnf/alerts-notices | www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/stnf/alerts-notices

Smoke Outlook for 10/20/20 to 10/21/20

NW California - Red Salmon Complex 

Willow Creek, CA – Notice: On 10/17, there was an intrusion into the restricted airspace over the fire by a drone. Temporary Flight Restrictions remain over the entire Red Salmon fire area until further notice. This includes drones. Remember: If you fly, we can’t.

Yesterday: Fire activity continued in the South Fork of the Salmon River, Methodist Creek, Plummer Creek, and the East Fork of the New River. Fire slowly backed down toward Plummer creek to the confluence of the Salmon river, cleaning up unburned fuels in a steady progression. Unburned fuel islands in the interior continued to burn. Two crews of firefighters hiked into the Devil’s Backbone and three crews were flown into Division P for fire line restoration work.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Today will remain warm and dry however a cold front will be moving into the area overnight tonight. The cold front will lower temperatures and increase humidity values through Thursday morning. Fuel moisture levels will remain low allowing the fire to remain active for the near future with moderate fire behavior possible. Rain is not forecast in the immediate future. Smoke impacting the area remains likely. For information on smoke impact, go to www.airnow.gov.

Today’s Operations: Crews will continue monitoring and improving lines along Plummer Creek. On the southeast flank, crews will continue suppression efforts using Minimal Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST). Native American crews will continue suppression repair in the Devil’s Backbone culturally sensitive areas. With the help of Resource Advisors (READS) suppression repair work will be conducted in highly sensitive areas containing cultural resources from the Forks of the Salmon toward Fawn Ridge. Back haul of equipment and other resources will continue in the communities of Forks of the Salmon, Cecilville, Denny, and other private ranches, inholdings and properties.

Closures: For Firefighter and public safety, fire officials remind visitors that areas and roads within and near the perimeter of the fire are closed. More information is available on forest websites: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices | www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/srnf/alerts-notices | www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/stnf/alerts-notices