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: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6891

Smoke

Daytime winds will again generally transport smoke to the east today. Etna and the Scott Valley may experience periods of heavier smoke in the late evening/overnight hours as smoke cools and settles into the valley. Residents in Forks of Salmon can expect to see smoke throughout the day, with improvement overnight. 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 light to moderate concentrations of smoke at the surface due to combined impacts from the Red Salmon Complex and other large wildfires burning to the south. Residents in Klamath and the north coast, from Eureka to Crescent City, should again see Good conditions.

Red Salmon Complex: 16,485 acres at 39% containment (Red Fire – 15,678 acres at 19% containment, Salmon Fire - 807 acres at 79% containment)

Fire Resources: 1214 personnel, 21 crews, 10 helicopters, 38 engines, 8 bulldozers, 41 water tenders

Current Situation: Today, fire managers will make the best use of resources and initiate a planned and well-coordinated tactical firing operation adjacent to established containment lines on Highpoint Ridge. This action will be conducted based on weather and fire behavior with the intent to keep the fire from spreading in an easterly direction and to merge the fire into a confined footprint.

Red Fire: Fire lines are still holding on the western edge of the fire.  Crews will continue to monitor this area as it remains the number one priority.  The spot fire by Prospect Peak has tied into the main body of the fire crossing China Creek but did not make any runs towards the 2013 Butler Fire footprint. On the southern section of the fire, crews worked to reinforce and cut containment lines along Horse Trail Ridge, Soldier Trail and up towards Devils Backbone. This plan will facilitate future efforts to box in the southern part of the fire as it progresses slowly southwards.  Fire crews are working closely with resource advisors protecting cultural and natural resources. 

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. 

The Red and Salmon Fires are burning in or immediately adjacent to the Trinity Alps Wilderness on the Klamath, Six Rivers, and Shasta-Trinity National Forests. California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 is working closely with Native American Tribes in all fire suppression efforts.

Weather: Marine influence will combine with some air-mass cooling to increase relative humidity levels across all elevations of the fire today.  Weather is predicted to be relatively cool and moist throughout the day. Winds will be light at 5 mph; this afternoon, will be terrain driven, with a west, southwesterly component.

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.

Red Salmon Complex: 16,485 acres at 39% containment (Red Fire – 15,678 acres at 19% containment, Salmon Fire - 807 acres at 79% containment)

Fire Resources: 1214 personnel, 21 crews, 10 helicopters, 38 engines, 8 bulldozers, 41 water tenders

Current Situation: The Red and Salmon Fires are burning in or immediately adjacent to the Trinity Alps Wilderness on the Klamath, Six Rivers, and Shasta-Trinity National Forests. California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 is working closely with Native American Tribes in all fire suppression efforts.

Red Fire: Today fire crews continued to work on containment lines, reinforcing them, including installing firehose. On the northeast section of the fire, containment lines run along Highpoint Ridge, from Salmon Summit down to the 04 Road. Fire managers will initiate tactical firing from these lines based on weather and fire behavior.

On the southern section of the fire, crews made very good progress cutting containment lines along Horse Trail Ridge, along Soldier Trail and up towards Devils Backbone.

The spot fire east of Devils Backbone which started yesterday, was completely lined today by Hot Shot crews.  It is estimated at 2 acres.

Mop-up started today on the northeast section after successful burning was finished yesterday. Crews will continue to hold and mop-up this area tonight.

Salmon Fire: This fire remains contained within areas inside the burn, but it did put up some smoke as areas within containment lines burned.  

Weather: Relative humidity will increase to near 70 to 80 percent tonight.  Winds will be light at 3-5 mph with a slight eastward component after sunset. Higher humidity will result in a decrease in fire behavior.

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.

Figure 1: Dozer line - 2020 Red Salmon Fire Willow Creek, CA Photo: Kent Romney, PIO 
 

Wildfires are unplanned, difficult to anticipate, with no way to predict their severity. Agencies across the nation create fire management plans to help determine what type of response protocols and procedures should be considered when a wildfire occurs. The fire management plan identifies the resources needed for effective wildfire response, have information regarding valuable manmade, cultural, historical, and natural resources in the fire zone with best practices for protecting them, and necessary restoration treatments after the fire has been contained and controlled.  
 

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Fire

Red Salmon Complex: 16,255 acres at 38% containment (Red Fire – 15,448 acres at 19% containment, Salmon Fire - 807 acres at 79% containment)

Fire Resources: 22 crews, 11 helicopters, 33 engines, 9 bulldozers, 39 water tenders

Current Situation: MIST (Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics) are being used in the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area. California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 continues to work closely with Native American Tribes in all fire suppression efforts. In addition, a series of video meetings with tribal leaders will occur throughout the week.

Red Fire: Last night the fire held along lines in a priority area, the northeast corner of the fire. Firefighters working here today will begin mop-up operations. This involves extinguishing all remaining flames, making sure no fuel has the potential to cross the fire line, and generally cooling all areas adjacent to the line.

Today crews will initiate tactical firing operations adjacent to containment lines, effectively widening and strengthening them. This activity will occur along Highpoint Ridge. The operation will proceed very deliberately, keeping pace with the fire as it advances.

The same tactic using this deliberate approach, keeping pace with the fire is also planned along containment lines south of the Red Fire on Horse Trail Ridge and Devils Backbone. Fire crews working closely with resource advisors protecting cultural and natural resources are cutting new fire line, south on Horse Trail Ridge to Soldier Trail.

Salmon Fire: Internal islands within containment lines will continue to burn. These are not threatening containment lines.

Weather: Temperatures over the fire today will make it into the mid to high 80’s, with high 70’s at higher elevations. Winds will be light from a westerly direction at 5 to 7 mph. Relative humidity will increase by afternoon to 35 percent. High clouds will move over the fire this afternoon.

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.

Red Salmon Complex: 16,255 acres at 38% containment (Red Fire – 15,448 acres at 19% containment, Salmon Fire - 807 acres at 79% containment)

Fire Resources: 22 crews, 11 helicopters, 33 engines, 9 bulldozers, 39 water tenders

Current Situation: Fires within this Complex have started burning together. The Red and Salmon Fires remain within containment lines and have merged on ridge lines above the Red Cap Lake area. The spot fire near Prospect Peak is pushing into the Red Fire near Whiteys Peak and has established itself in the China Creek drainage. California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 continues to work closely with Native American Tribes in all fire suppression efforts. A series of video meetings with tribal leaders will occur throughout the week.

Red Fire: Earlier today fire crews burned the remaining fuels adjacent to control lines taking a big step toward securing the northwest corner of the fire. This has been the top priority for the last several days because of the values at risk in that area. Crews will monitor the fire here tonight to ensure the line holds.

This afternoon, the fire made a short run up the west side of Devils Backbone, spotting over the ridge on the east side. This spot is located about a mile south of the Red Fire east of the ridge. Type I helicopters dumped water on the spot, cooling it.

On the northeast section of the fire, improvement and prep work continued along Highpoint Ridge as far as Lunch Creek. Work also resumed on the 04 Road toward Orleans Mountain.

Salmon Fire: Lines around this fire continue to hold as internal islands continue to burn inside the line.

Weather: High temperatures today made it into the low 90’s in the valleys, with high 70’s at higher elevations.  With dry air still in place, tonight’s temperature will be in the mid 50’s. Winds will be light from the west or occasionally from the northwest at 3-5 mph.  Minimum relative humidity will be in the mid 20’s.  

Air Quality: Terrain driven winds will bring smoke down into canyons and valleys again this evening. 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

The Red fire is expected to remain active inside containment lines along the east/west perimeters. Detailed fire information can be found at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6891

Smoke

Today’s winds will generally transport smoke to the east; however, terrain driven winds will also influence smoke movement in valleys adjacent to the fire. Residents in Forks of Salmon can expect air quality to be Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. Those in Orleans, Weitchpec, and Hoopa Valley may see periods of Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups as smoke aloft mixes down to the surface in the late morning and early afternoon, with conditions improving overnight. Residents in Klamath and the north coast, from Eureka to Crescent City, should again see good conditions today. Etna, the Scott Valley, and Trinity Center may see periods of Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups in the late evening/overnight hours as smoke settles into the valley. High level haze may be visible in the Shasta Valley, but surface conditions should be generally Good.

Red Salmon Complex: 15,497 acres at 38% containment (Red Fire - 14,690 acres at 19% containment, Salmon Fire - 807 acres at 79% containment)

Fire Resources: 22 crews, 11 helicopters, 36 engines, 9 bulldozers, 34 water tenders
 

Current Situation: Fires within this Complex have started burning together. The Red and Salmon Fires remain within containment lines and have merged on ridge lines above the Red Cap Lake area. The spot fire near Prospect Peak is pushing into the Red Fire near Whiteys Peak and is also establishing itself in the China Creek drainage. California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 continues to work closely with Native American Tribes in all fire suppression efforts. A series of video meetings with these tribes will occur throughout the week.

Red Fire: Last night on the northwest side, the fire backed down closer to containment lines after a successful burn with the UAS yesterday. Crews monitored the fire through the night, holding it at the containment line. An unburned area of about 5 acres within the line will be burned today, securing this section.

Today fire managers are scouting for containment options and safety concerns along the Packsaddle-Horse Trail ridge system on the southwest, and Devils Backbone on the southeast. These efforts will contain the fire on the south end. On the far north and northeast sections, resource advisors are protecting natural and cultural resource as firefighters continue reinforcing lines on Highpoint Ridge and the dozer line and 04 Road system. Fire managers continue to look for options connecting these lines to contain the fire.

Salmon Fire: Internal unburned islands continue to burn inside containment lines producing smoke.

Weather: Dryer more stable air moves over the area on Wednesday with light winds out of the west at 3-5 mph. Temperatures over the fire today are expected to be 82 to 86. Minimum relative humidity should be around 20 percent. A cooling trend of a few degrees each day will continue through Friday.  

Air Quality: Terrain driven winds will bring smoke down into canyons and valleys again this evening. 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

Red Salmon Complex: 15,497 acres at 38% containment (Red Fire - 14,690 acres at 19% containment, Salmon Fire - 807 acres at 79% containment)

Fire Resources: 22 crews, 11 helicopters, 36 engines, 9 bulldozers, 34 water tenders

Current Situation: The Red Salmon Complex now has its own Facebook page and Twitter account.  Updates and the most current information can be found using the links listed above.  Inciweb, is also an excellent source of information on the Red Salmon Complex.

Red Fire: Today on the main fire, firefighters used the UAS (Unmanned Aerial System or drone) to burn much remaining fuel bringing the fire closer to containment lines on the northwest corner of the fire. This action bolsters containment of the fire in this high priority area. Tonight crews will monitor and hold these lines as the fire creeps downhill toward containment lines.

On the east side, firefighters also improved the previously constructed line along Highpoint Ridge by installing hose in preparation for burning operations. In addition, resource advisors assisted firefighters in protecting natural and cultural resources as dozers put in line from Salmon Summit to the 04 Road. Fire managers continue to look for the best option to bring these two partial lines together toward Nordheimer Flat encircling the fire. In operations tonight, crews will monitor fire lines making sure they hold.

Salmon Fire: Internal unburned island continue to burn inside containment lines producing periodic smoke.

Weather: Relative humidity today was lower than expected. A cooling trend of a few degrees each day will continue.  Winds tonight will be light moving downslope as the evening cools. Humidity will be 50-60% over the fire tonight.

Air Quality: Terrain driven winds will bring smoke down into canyons and valleys again this evening. 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.