Red Salmon Complex: 19,839 acres at 41% containment (Red Fire – 19,032 acres at 41% containment, Salmon Fire - 807 acres at 79% containment)

Fire Resources: 915 personnel, 15 crews, 9 helicopters, 25 engines, 5 bulldozers, 41 water tenders

Current Situation: Today, adverse wind conditions impeded tactical firing operation along High Point Ridge. Along the southwestern edge, crews were successful in firing up to a mile at the intersect of Pack Saddle Ridge and Horse Trail, keeping fire even with the advancing southern edge of the fire. The Red Flag warning remains in effect for tonight with the potential for dry lightning and thunderstorms. 

You are invited to the Red Salmon Complex Virtual Community Meeting, Tuesday, August 25, 2020 @ 5:00 pm, live streamed via the Red Salmon Complex Facebook page. Visit https://www.facebook.com/Red-Salmon-Complex-106757614477383/

Red Fire: The number one priority on the fire remains maintaining the footprint of the Red Cap section in the northwest area of the fire, crews will continue to monitor, patrol and mop-up hot spots. Lines are holding and maintaining their current footprint from Salmon Summit Trail to South Fork of Red Cap and from Mill Creek Gap to Blacks Lakes. The contingency lines on Hoteling Ridge on the east side of the fire is complete, crews continue to improve contingency lines on Hopkins to the west.

Salmon Fire: This fire remains within its current footprint. Islands of vegetation inside this area, will continue to burn. These are not threatening containment lines. 

The Red and Salmon Fires are burning on the Klamath, Six Rivers, and Shasta-Trinity National Forests.  California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 is working closely with the Hoopa Valley Tribe, the Yurok and Karuk Tribes and the Community Liaison for Forks of Salmon.

Weather: A red flag warning remains in effect tonight, with the threat of possible isolated thunderstorms. Temperatures across the fire area will range from the mid to upper 60’s. Relative humidity’s are predicted to be 25-35% below 4,000 feet and 20-25% above 4,000 ft. Winds will be west and south at 3-5 mph until 10 p.m.  then moving east to northeast 4-6 mph with gusts to 10 mph through morning. 

Air Quality: Smoke, including smoke from neighboring fires, will continue to become more prominent each day around Highway 96 due to southerly winds.  Refer to fires.airfire.org/outlooks/NWCalifornia.

Closures: The Red Salmon Fire Forest Closure became effective on August 8, 2020. As hunting seasons open, hunters are reminded the closure is in place for their safety as well as the safety of firefighters. The full Forest Closure Order can be found on Inciweb. inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6891

COVID-19: California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 has implemented precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in both fire camp and the surrounding communities. These measures include daily temperature screenings, mandatory use of face coverings, social distancing, implementing more virtual work, and smaller fire camps. Community and firefighter safety are a top priority of both Team 4 and the National Forests.

Fire

Fire activity is expected to remain moderate to active inside the containment lines along the south and east portions of the fire. Detailed information at: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6891

Smoke

Active fires in the south will continue to send smoke our way today. Most communities in the forecast area will see air quality degrade as this smoke mixes down to ground level in late-morning before clearing out in the evening. Starting in the early afternoon, west/southwest winds will generally transport smoke from the Red Salmon Complex to the east/northeast. Etna and the Scott Valley can expect heavier smoke throughout the day and overnight hours as smoke settles into the valley. Residents in Forks of Salmon can expect smoke throughout the day. Those in Orleans, Weitchpec, and Hoopa Valley may experience periods of Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups as smoke mixes down to the surface in the late morning and early afternoon, with conditions improving overnight. Yreka, Weed, and the Shasta Valley can expect continued heavy smoke impacts throughout the day. Onshore flow should maintain Good air quality in Eureka and other north coast communities.

Red Salmon Complex: 19,365 acres at 41% containment (Red Fire – 18,558 acres at 41% containment, Salmon Fire - 807 acres at 79% containment)

Fire Resources: 988 personnel, 17 crews, 10 helicopters, 25 engines, 5 bulldozers, 43 water tenders

Current Situation: Last night, crews made slow progress with the tactical firing operation along High Point Ridge, due to higher humidity’s, however there were no issues with holding the line. Today, there is a Red Flag warning for dry lightning and potential thunderstorms. These can create variable winds, producing gusty outflow winds, which may affect the pace of firing efforts.

Red Fire: The number one priority on the fire continues in  maintaining the footprint of the Red Cap section in the north west area of the fire, crews will continue to monitor, patrol and mop-up hot spots. Today’s firing objectives include keeping the Red and Salmon Fires east of Packsaddle Ridge, west of High Point Ridge, north of the Soldier Creek Trail and south of Lunch Creek to Salmon Summit Trail to Red Cap Peak. With the Red Flag warning in effect, crews will remain alert as they concentrate on the strategic firing operation along High Point Ridge. Crews may also initiate firing operations today at the intersect of Pack Saddle Ridge and Horse Trail on the western edge as well as the eastern edge, to keep fire even with the southern edge of the fire as it advances.

Salmon Fire: This fire remains within its current footprint. Islands of vegetation inside this area, will continue to burn. These are not threatening containment lines. 

The Red and Salmon Fires are burning on the Klamath, Six Rivers, and Shasta-Trinity National Forests.  California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 is working closely with the Hoopa Valley Tribe, the Yurok and Karuk Tribes and the Community Liaison for Forks of Salmon.

Weather: A red flag warning is in effect for today and tonight, there is a 35% chance of thunderstorms, through the afternoon with potential for dry lightning and outflow winds and bands of showers.  Relative humidity is predicted to be 35-40% across the fire throughout the day, however, depending on location, these values may fluctuate. Light east/west winds will shift to west in the late afternoon at about 5-10 mph. Temperatures will be in the mid to upper 80’s.

Air Quality: Smoke, including smoke from neighboring fires, will continue to become more prominent each day around Highway 96 due to southerly winds.  Refer to fires.airfire.org/outlooks/NWCalifornia.

Closures: The Red Salmon Fire Forest Closure became effective on August 8, 2020. As hunting seasons open, hunters are reminded the closure is in place for their safety as well as the safety of firefighters. The full Forest Closure Order can be found on Inciweb. inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6891

COVID-19: California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 has implemented precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in both fire camp and the surrounding communities. These measures include daily temperature screenings, mandatory use of face coverings, social distancing, implementing more virtual work, and smaller fire camps. Community and firefighter safety are a top priority of both Team 4 and the National Forests.

Red Salmon Complex: 19,365 acres at 41% containment (Red Fire – 18,558 acres at 41% containment, Salmon Fire - 807 acres at 79% containment)

Fire Resources: 988 personnel, 17 crews, 10 helicopters, 25 engines, 5 bulldozers, 43 water tenders  

Current Situation: Today, crews made progress with the tactical firing operation along High Point Ridge, however it was slow going due to unfavorable winds.  Tonight, crews expect to increase burning distance as the predicted easterly winds will facilitate this action.

Red Fire: Monitoring, patrol and mop-up of the Red Cap area in the north west area of the fire remains our number one priority and maintaining it within its’ current footprint. Fire crews working closely with resource advisor’s approval have completed a dozer and hand line from Horn Creek Gap Road working down to Nordheimer Creek and plumbed with hose lays. This will be utilized to facilitate the High Point Ridge firing operations.  Crews initiated a firing operation at the intersect of Pack Saddle Ridge and Horse Trail to keep fire in this area even with the southern edge of the fire as it advances. Residents of Nordheimer Flat and Forks of Salmon areas will experience smoke due to current weather conditions and fire operations.

Salmon Fire: This fire remains within its current footprint. Islands of vegetation inside this area, will continue to burn. These are not threatening containment lines. 

The Red and Salmon Fires are burning on the Klamath, Six Rivers, and Shasta-Trinity National Forests.  California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 is working closely with the Hoopa Valley Tribe, the Yurok and Karuk Tribes and the Community Liaison for Forks of Salmon.

Weather: A red flag warning is in effect for tonight into tomorrow.  Most likely thunderstorms with accompanying lightning won’t likely develop until tomorrow morning.  Relative humidity on the upper slopes and ridge tops are predicted to be at 20-25%, lower and mid slopes will be at 30-40%.  West/south west winds today will gradually shift to easterly winds tonight and into the morning from 5-10 mph.  Temperatures will be in the mid to upper 60’s.

Air Quality:Smoke can be expected later in the day due to the tactical firing operation. Refer to fires.airfire.org/outlooks/NWCalifornia.

Closures: The Red Salmon Fire Forest Closure became effective on August 8, 2020. As hunting seasons open, hunters are reminded the closure is in place for their safety as well as the safety of firefighters. The full Forest Closure Order can be found on Inciweb. inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6891

COVID-19: California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 has implemented precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in both fire camp and the surrounding communities. These measures include daily temperature screenings, mandatory use of face coverings, social distancing, implementing more virtual work, and smaller fire camps. Community and firefighter safety are a top priority of both Team 4 and the National Forests.

Fire

Fire activity is expected to remain moderate to active inside the containment lines along the south and east portions of the fire. Detailed information at: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6891

Smoke

Smoke from other fires in the south drifted north overnight and entered the forecast area early this morning. This smoke will begin mixing down to ground level mid-morning before clearing out in the late afternoon and evening. Excluding residents in coastal communities, most locations in the forecast area will be impacted by this smoke today. Starting midday, west/southwest winds will generally transport smoke from the Red Salmon Complex to the east/northeast. Etna and the Scott Valley may experience heavier smoke throughout the day and overnight hours as smoke settles into the valley. Residents in Forks of Salmon can expect smoke throughout the day. Those in Orleans, Weitchpec, and Hoopa Valley may experience periods of Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups as smoke mixes down to the surface in the late morning and early afternoon, with conditions improving overnight. Yreka and the Shasta Valley will have higher concentrations of smoke at the surface.

Red Salmon Complex: 18,960 acres at 39% containment (Red Fire – 18,135 acres at 19% containment, Salmon Fire - 807 acres at 79% containment)

Fire Resources: 1085 personnel, 18 crews, 10 helicopters, 29 engines, 6 bulldozers, 42 water tenders

Current Situation: Last night, crews attempted to continue firing operations along High Point Ridge, with the high relative humidity they were unable to support effective burning. Today, conditions should be more favorable for resuming tactical firing operations. Overall, good progress has been made and they have achieved good consumption depth of 300-500 feet. 

Red Fire: Monitoring, patrol and mop-up of the Red Cap area in the north west area of the fire remains our number one priority and maintaining it within its’ current footprint.  Today’s firing objectives include keeping the Red and Salmon Fires east of Packsaddle Ridge, west of High Point Ridge, north of the Soldier Creek trail and south of Lunch Creek to Salmon Summit Trail to Red Cap Peak. With laser focus, crews will concentrate on the strategic firing operation along High Point Ridge. Fire managers plan on two firing simultaneous operations, addressing the ridge from the north and south, meeting in the middle. The intent of this firing is to keep the fire from spreading in an easterly direction.  The southern edge of the fire is slowly moving south. Potential thunderstorms this afternoon could cause gusty and erratic winds that may pose a challenge to firefighting efforts. 

The Red and Salmon Fires are burning on the Klamath, Six Rivers, and Shasta-Trinity National Forests.  California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 is working closely with the Hoopa Valley Tribe, the Yurok and Karuk Tribes and the Community Liaison for Forks of Salmon.

Salmon Fire: This fire remains within its current footprint. Islands of vegetation inside this area, will continue to burn. These are not threatening containment lines. 

Weather: A red flag warning is in effect for tonight into tomorrow night.  Lightning is expected this evening.  Relative humidity on the upper slopes and ridge tops will fall to 20% later in the day, mid slopes will be at 35-45%. Easterly winds this morning will gradually shift to the west/ southwest over the fire perimeter with winds from5-10 mph. 

Air Quality: A band of smoke will remain in the fire perimeter until noon. Smoke can be expected later in the day due to the tactical firing operation. Refer to fires.airfire.org/outlooks/NWCalifornia.

Closures: The Red Salmon Fire Forest Closure became effective on August 8, 2020. As hunting seasons open, hunters are reminded the closure is in place for their safety as well as the safety of firefighters. The full Forest Closure Order can be found on Inciweb. inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6891

COVID-19: California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 has implemented precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in both fire camp and the surrounding communities. These measures include daily temperature screenings, mandatory use of face coverings, social distancing, implementing more virtual work, and smaller fire camps. Community and firefighter safety are a top priority of both Team 4 and the National Forests.

Red Salmon Complex: 18,960 acres at 39% containment (Red Fire – 18,135 acres at 19% containment, Salmon Fire - 807 acres at 79% containment)

Fire Resources: 1085 personnel, 18 crews, 10 helicopters, 29 engines, 6 bulldozers, 42 water tenders

Current Situation: Crews continued the controlled firing operation from the north end of the Salmon Fire working in a northerly direction on High Point Ridge. Today, they achieved another ½ mile, but struggled with gaining depth due to high humidity and low temperatures. Fire crews are working closely with resource advisors protecting cultural and natural resources.

Red Fire: Monitoring, patrol and mop-up of the Red Cap area on the north west area of the fire remains our number one priority.  Crews opened up a section of line on the Horn Creek Gap Road and are plumbing with hose lays. This location will be used to initiate firing, mitigating any push out of the northeast flank of the fire into the Butler burn scar. Crews have strengthened and plumbed the line on the 6E04 road all the way up to Orleans Peak. Lines are holding and maintaining their current footprint from Salmon Summit Trail to South Fork of Red Cap and from Mill Creek Gap to Pack Saddle Ridge. Crews are continuing to work on contingency lines with Hopkins on the west side and Hoteling Ridge on the east side.  These will be used should the fire move into these areas.

The Red and Salmon Fires are burning on the Klamath, Six Rivers, and Shasta-Trinity National Forests.  California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 is working closely with the Hoopa Valley Tribe, the Yurok and Karuk Tribes and the Community Liaison for Forks of Salmon.

Salmon Fire: This fire remains within its current footprint. However, islands of vegetation inside this area, will continue to burn. These are not threatening containment lines.

Weather: Tonight, relative humidity is expected to be in the 60-70% range throughout the fire area.  Temperatures will be between 55-60 degrees.  Winds will be out of the southwest early in the evening, then shifting to the east around 10 p.m. Winds will be light, around 5 mph.

Air Quality: A band of smoke moved over the perimeter this afternoon, another band of smoke is predicted around sunrise tomorrow. Refer to fires.airfire.org/outlooks/NWCalifornia

Closures: The Red Salmon Fire Forest Closure became effective on August 8, 2020. As hunting seasons open, hunters are reminded the closure is in place for their safety as well as the safety of firefighters. The full Forest Closure Order can be found on Inciweb. inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6891

COVID-19: California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 has implemented precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in both fire camp and the surrounding communities. These measures include daily temperature screenings, mandatory use of face coverings, social distancing, implementing more virtual work, and smaller fire camps. Community and firefighter safety are a top priority of both Team 4 and the National Forests.

Working and helping at the Red Salmon Complex are Air Resource Advisors (ARAs).

Smoke is a combination of gases and small particles known as particulate matter. At certain concentration levels this particulate matter, or PM 2.5, can be unhealthy to breathe.

Air Resource Advisors (ARAs) are monitoring smoke from the Red Salmon Complex using mobile and permanent smoke monitoring stations located throughout the lower Klamath river basin. ARAs coordinate with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and local air quality agencies, like the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District (NCUAQMD) who position these smoke monitors in nearby populated areas impacted by wildfire smoke.

Currently, there are monitors in Happy Camp, Klamath, Orleans, Hoopa, Weitchpec, Willow Creek, and Weaverville, among others. Air resource advisors work with the incident weather and fire behavior specialists to integrate monitoring data with weather and fire forecasts to make a projection which is presented on the daily smoke outlook for the fire.

You can see the current smoke forecast here: https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/NWCalifornia

USFS Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program www.wildlandfiresmoke.net

NW California Current Outlook tools.airfire.org/outlooks/NWCalifornia

Smoke and Health Info www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=smoke.index

https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/wildfires/smoke.html

Red Salmon Complex: 18,566 acres at 39% containment (Red Fire – 17,759 acres at 19% containment, Salmon Fire - 807 acres at 79% containment)

Fire Resources: 1159 personnel, 18 crews, 10 helicopters, 40 engines, 7 bulldozers, 42 water tenders

Current Situation: Last night crews attempted to continue firing efforts from Highpoint Ridge, but due to high humidity and low temperatures, the fire was not able to carry, instead, crews monitored the fire. Tactical firing will continue today with a safe, coordinated operation along the ridge. The intent of this firing is to keep the fire from lining up in drainages and spreading to the east or potentially throw embers across the line. The goal is to merge fire westward and ultimately box it in from Highpoint Ridge, to the Butler Fire burn scar and the main body of the fire. This operation may take several days to accomplish.  Smoke production will likely increase throughout the area.  Fire crews are working closely with resource advisors protecting cultural and natural resources.

The Red and Salmon Fires are burning on the Klamath, Six Rivers, and Shasta-Trinity National Forests.  California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 is working closely with the Hoopa Valley Tribe and the Yurok, Karuk Tribes and the Community Liaison for Forks of Salmon.

Red Fire: Monitoring, patrol and mop-up of the Red Cap area on the north west area of the fire remains our number one priority.  The second priority is today’s tactical firing operation.  Crews monitoring the line from Salmon Summit Trail to South Fork of Red Cap and from Mill Creek Gap to Blacks Lake, reported all lines holding. Moving forward, night shift will no longer staff these areas. 

Salmon Fire: This fire remains within its current footprint. However, islands of vegetation inside this area, will continue to burn. These are not threatening containment lines. 

Weather: Relative humidity will remain in the 30-45% range. However, predicted relative humidity levels may drop this afternoon as low as 10 - 15% at higher elevations.  Winds from the east this morning will increase and transition westerly and south westerly later in the day up to 10mph. 

Air Quality: Westerly winds will move smoke to the east or northeast today. Smoke may be thick in valleys and canyons immediately east of the fire. Refer to fires.airfire.org/outlooks/NWCalifornia.

Closures: The Red Salmon Fire Forest Closure became effective on August 8, 2020. As hunting seasons open, hunters are reminded the closure is in place for their safety as well as the safety of firefighters. The full Forest Closure Order can be found on Inciweb. inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6891

COVID-19: California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 has implemented precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in both fire camp and the surrounding communities. These measures include daily temperature screenings, mandatory use of face coverings, social distancing, implementing more virtual work, and smaller fire camps. Community and firefighter safety are a top priority of both Team 4 and the National Forests.

Special Statement

Smoke from fires to the south is beginning to track north and may begin impacting the forecast area tomorrow morning.

Fire

Fire activity is expected to remain moderate to active inside the containment lines along the south and east portions of the fire. Detailed fire information can be found at: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6891

Smoke

Starting mid-day, winds will generally transport smoke to the east/northeast. Residents in Forks of Salmon can expect to see smoke throughout the day, with improvement overnight. Etna and the Scott Valley may experience periods of heavier smoke in the late evening/overnight hours as smoke settles into the valley. Those in Orleans, Weitchpec, and Hoopa Valley may experience brief periods of Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups as smoke mixes down to the surface in the late morning and early afternoon, with conditions improving overnight. Yreka and the Shasta Valley can expect moderate concentrations of smoke at the surface due to combined impacts from the Red Salmon Complex and other large wildfires burning to the south.