Smoke Outlook for 8/03 - 8/04NW California - Red Salmon ComplexIssued at: 2020-08-03 06:53 PDT

Fire

The Salmon Fire continues to actively back to the south. Fire spread has slowed to the north, east and west. The Red Fire is active on all flanks, backing and group torching have been observed. Both fires are fuel and terrain driven.

Smoke

Smoke will remain in the immediate vicinity of the fire for the morning, then will begin to flow to the southeast. Communities to the southeast of the fire may see elevated smoke conditions. We are working on setting up more monitors in the forecast area in the next coming days.

Other

Numerous fires in the region are contributing to increased smoke production. Air quality may change unexpectedly.

If you begin to notice health effects from smoke, you are encouraged to follow the  "actions to protect yourself". Always remember, if you smell smoke you are breathing smoke.

  

Current Situation:

The Red Salmon Complex burning in the Six Rivers and Shasta Trinity national forest is 2,643 acres and 0% contained. Both fires are burning in steep, rugged terrain, with limited access. Air operations will continue to support crews on the ground with as visibility and smoke conditions allow. Today, crews will continue strengthening indirect line utilizing existing trail systems, roads, and ridgelines using minimum impact suppression tactics in the wilderness and working with resource advisors to avoid disturbance to cultural resources. An air quality monitoring specialist will continue to provide daily smoke forecasts and air quality information for the surrounding communities.

The Red Fire is 1,966 acres and 0% contained. Crews continued line reinforcement along the 10N01forest road and Lubb Trail progressing towards Black Mountain. Firefighters will continue indirect line southeast down to Indian Rocks along Salmon Summit Ridge.

The Salmon Fire is 677 acres and 0% contained. The fire is continuing to hold in previous fire scars but still has some potential for growth. Handcrews started direct attack operations on the south portion of the fire starting at Salmon Summit Ridge and scouting missions along Backbone Ridge to attempt containment and hold the fire where it currently sits. Crews began indirect line reinforcement along Backbone Ridge and will progress down to Pack Saddle Ridge and begin north towards Black Mountain to tie into the Red Fire.

Weather: A high pressure system continues to sit atop the area, creating an inversion that will hamper ventilation of the smoke. The ridgeline line winds will be predominantly from of the northwest pushing smoke from the Red Fire to the Salmon. This weather will supply dry air conditions with poor humidity recovery as well as the possibility of smoke laying down over the fire area.

Closures: Big Rock River Access has been closed in the interest of public safety as it is being used as a dip site for helicopter operations in the fire suppression efforts on the Red Salmon Complex.

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 Current Situation: 

The Red Salmon Complex burning in the Six Rivers and Shasta Trinity national forest is 1,876 acres and 0% contained. Fire behavior on the Red Fire has been backing in all directions at a moderate rate of spread. Today, crews focused on reinforcing and building control lines on both fires utilizing minimum impact suppression tactics in the wilderness. Smoke settling over both fires limited air support operations throughout the day. An air quality monitoring specialist will continue to provide daily smoke forecasts and air quality information for the surrounding communities.

     The Red Fire is 1,251 acres and 0% contained. Crews made access onto the Lubb Trail continuing line reinforcement as well as firing operations to strengthen the control line while progressing west toward the 10N01 forest road. Line reinforcement was completed on the10N01 road up to Salmon Summit Ridge. Firefighters continued indirect line southeast down to Indian Rocks along Salmon Summit Ridge

     The Salmon Fire is 625 acres and 0% contained. The fire grew very little as it is slowed by previous fire scars but still has potential for growth. Firefighters started direct attack operations on the south portion of the fire starting at Salmon Summit Ridge and scouting missions along Backbone Ridge to attempt containment and hold the fire where it currently sits. Crews began indirect line reinforcement along Backbone Ridge and will progress down to Pack Saddle Ridge and begin north towards Black Mountain to tie into the Red Fire.

   Weather: A high pressure system continues to sit atop the area, creating an inversion that will hamper ventilation of the smoke. The ridgeline line winds will be predominantly from of the northwest pushing smoke from the Red Fire to the Salmon. This weather will supply dry air conditions with poor humidity recovery as well as the possibility of smoke laying down over the fire area.

   Closures: Big Rock River Access has been closed in the interest of public safety as it is being used as a dip site for helicopter operations in the fire suppression efforts on the Red Salmon Complex. 

SMOKE OUTLOOK FOR 8/02-03
 
NW California-Red Salmon Complex
 
Special Statement
Numerous fires in the region are contributing to increased smoke production. Air quality may change unexpectedly.
Fire
Yesterday, the Red Fire showed the most activity with continued ground fire and isolated up-hill runs but the fire generally continues to back down canyons and consume understory fuels. The Salmon Fire is moving through Chaparral with occasional up-slope runs. An inversion will hang over the fires, limiting ventilation and potentially reducing fire activity. Today, crews will continue to construct indirect line and will go direct where safe to do so while implementing minimum impact suppression tactics.
Smoke
Smoke will remain in the immediate vicinity of the fire for the morning, then will begin to flow to the southeast. Communities to the southeast of the fire may see elevated smoke conditions. We are working on setting up more monitors in our forecast area in the next coming days.
Other
Avoid exposure when possible by limiting outdoor activities when smoke is present.  
 

Current Situation:

The Red Salmon Complex continues to burn in the Six Rivers and Shasta Trinity national forests. The complex is currently at 1,877 acres and 0% contained. Fire growth for each fire has been mostly terrain driven with some short, uphill runs. Crews today are focusing on reinforcing indirect control lines on both fires utilizing minimum impact suppression tactics in the wilderness. An inversion layer is sitting over the area causing smoke to settle over both fires which could potentially limit air operations.  An air quality monitoring specialist is assigned and will provide smoke forecasts and air quality information for the surrounding communities.

The Red Fire is 1,252 acres and 0% contained. Crews are almost finished reinforcing control lines to Whiteys Peak along Salmon Summit Ridge. Today, firefighters will continue to strengthen and improve old control lines on the Salmon Summit Ridgeline to the south and progressing to Salmon Mountain.

The Salmon Fire is 626 acres and 0% contained. Smoke from the Red Fire will create shade over the Salmon Fire which will decrease fire activity. Firefighters will patrol Salmon Summit Ridgeline looking for possible spot fires and continue mop-up operations on the northeast portion of the fire to prevent growth into the Klamath National Forest. Taking advantage of smoke shading and reduced fire activity, crews will begin direct line construction along the east portion of the fire.

Weather: A high pressure system has moved into the area which has created an inversion that will hamper ventilation in the fire area. The ridgeline line winds will be predominantly from of the northwest pushing smoke from the Red Fire to the Salmon. This weather will supply dry air conditions with poor humidity recovery as well as the possibility of smoke laying down over the fire area.

Closures: Big Rock River Access has been closed in the interest of public safety as it is being used as a dip site for helicopter operations in the fire suppression efforts on the Red Salmon Complex.

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Red Salmon Complex 8.1.2020 PM UPDATE

Current Situation:

The Red Salmon Complex continues to burn in the Six Rivers and Shasta Trinity National Forests. The complex is currently at 1,643 acres and 0% contained. Fire growth for each fire has been mostly terrain driven with some short, uphill runs. Smoke over the Red Fire limited aviation operations throughout the day. Additional firefighters and resources continue to arrive to assist with suppressing both the Red and Salmon fires.

The Red Fire grew as it backed downslope to the west toward the Middle Fork of Red Cap Creek and pushing to the north towards the 10N01 Road at Salmon Summit. Crews are preparing the 10N01 Forest Road system towards Lubbs Trail as a control line and are continuing to strengthen and improve old control lines on the Salmon Summit Ridgeline to the south toward Whiteys Peak and progressing to Salmon Mountain. Firefighters continued scouting operations looking for opportunities to place control lines from Black Mountain to the south toward Pack Saddle Ridge.

The Salmon Fire continued to burn at primarily low intensity in ground fuels with some short range spotting in an old burn scar near the Salmon Summit Ridge but did not cross any control lines. Firefighters worked to improve and strengthen control line along Salmon Summit ridge to the south and southeast toward Rock Lake and Megram Ridge.

Weather:

A high pressure system has moved into the area which has created an inversion that will hamper ventilation in the fire area. This weather will supply dry air conditions with poor humidity recovery as well as the possibility of smoke laying down over the fire area.

Closures:

Big Rock River Access has been closed in the interest of public safety as it is being used as a dip site for helicopter operations in the fire suppression efforts on the Red Salmon Complex.

Red Salmon Complex AM UPDATE 8.1.2020

The Red Salmon Complex continues to burn in the Six Rivers and Shasta Trinity National Forests. The Complex is currently at 1,060 acres and 0% contained. Additional firefighters and resources continue to arrive to assist with suppressing both the Red and Salmon Fires. Helicopter operations continue to assist ground crews in fire attack operations.

The Red Fire continues to grow in size by backing downslope to the west towards the Middle Fork of Red Cap Creek and expanding to the north towards the 10N01 Road at Salmon Summit. Crews are working along the 10N01 Road system towards the Lubbs Trail. They are preparing this road as a control line as the fire moves in this direction. Firefighters continue to scout for opportunities to place control lines from the Black Mountain area to the South towards Pack Saddle Ridge. Crews continue to strengthen and improve old control lines on the Salmon Summit Ridgeline to the South towards Whiteys Peak and progressing to Salmon Mountain.

The Salmon Fire continues to burn at primarily low intensity with some short range spotting near the Salmon Summit Ridge. Firefighters has been improving control lines along this ridgeline and have been able to contain the spot fires and hold the fire at the ridge. Crews are working to prepare and strengthen control lines along the Salmon Summit ridgeline to the Southeast towards Rock Lake.

A high pressure system is moving into the area which is predicted to create an inversion. This predicted weather will supply dry air conditions with poor humidity recovery as well as the possibility of smoke laying down over the fire area.

Red Salmon Complex 7.31.2020 PM UPDATE

Firefighters continue working diligently on the Red Salmon Complex which is burning in the wilderness areas of both the Six Rivers and the Shasta Trinity National Forests. More firefighters and equipment continue to arrive in the area to assist with the fire suppression efforts. The Red Salmon Complex is currently 1,060 acres and 0% contained.

Firefighters are actively working to establish control lines along the ridges in the Salmon Summit area while looking indirect fire attack opportunities to the west and south of the fires. Crews are utilizing previous burn scars and old control lines from previous fires when possible. The fire behavior has been predominately low intensity with some small pockets of torching.

Warm and dry conditions are forecasted to continue through the weekend with westerly winds. Fuel moisture in the area remains above normal however these fuels continue to dry out as the season progresses.

Red Salmon Complex UPDATE

 

The Red Salmon Complex continues to burn in remote wilderness areas of the Six Rivers and Shasta Trinity National Forests. This Complex includes both the Salmon Fire and the Red Fire which currently are a combined total of 1,060 acres and 0% containment.

Firefighters are using a full suppression strategy and utilizing indirect fire attack methods to gain control of both fires. A combination of both ground crews and air resources are being used due to the rugged terrain and challenging access. Multiple helicopters with water bucket drops are supporting ground operations. A helibase is now operational in Willow Creek to provide helicopters with a quicker response to the fire areas.

The Red Fire is currently 516 acres. Firefighters are currently working from Salmon Summit to the south along the ridgelines to open up previous fire containment lines. Crews continue to look for control line opportunities on the west side of the fire.

The Salmon Fire is currently 544 acres. Fire crews continue to strengthen and improve the ridgeline from Salmon Mountain to Megram Ridge using previous fire control lines and previous fire scars. The fire has reached the ridge in this location and firefighters are actively holding the fire. Crews are looking for opportunities and locations to secure the southern end of the fire back to Back Done Ridge.

California Interagency Incident Management Team 14 is working actively to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through various control measures. Firefighters are screened every morning with a temperature check and health screening. Firefighters are also practicing social distancing, frequent hand washing, and wearing face coverings throughout camp and as appropriate during operations.

Red Salmon Complex

CLOSURE NOTIFICATION

 

Beginning tomorrow, July 31, 2020, the Big Rock River Access will be closed in the interest of public safety due to the River Access Point being used for water bucket operations by helicopters aiding in the fire suppression efforts on the Red Salmon Complex.