Six Rivers National Forest

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News Release:
More Lightning Storms Predicted
[Shield]: US Forest Service

US Forest Service
Six Rivers National Forest

Contact:
Julie Ranieri
(707) 441-3673
jranieri@fs.fed.us

Eureka, June 27, 2008

The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning and fire weather watch for northern California. Lightning storms are predicted for as early as tonight and through the weekend. Chances of thunderstorms will increase Saturday afternoon thru Sunday. Many of these storms may produce little or no rain and could be accompanied by locally gusty and erratic winds.

Six Rivers National Forest fire management personnel and the Incident Management Teams on the Ukonom and Hells Half complexes are positioning initial attack fire fighting resources to meet this new threat, while maintaining our efforts on existing fires.

Some state highways and local roads are closed throughout northern California due to wildfire activities. Numerous county and local roads are closed as well. Travelers are advised to seek current information from local law enforcement.

The following is the current status of existing fires and complexes on the Six Rivers National Forest;

Ukonom Complex (Orleans Ranger District)

  • A public meeting was held last night (Thursday, June 26, 2008) at the Junction School in Somes Bar. About 15 members of the community, media, and a tribal representative attended. The Lund Interagency Management Team updated attendees on the history and status of the incident, and planned activities.
  • The team is currently managing the following fires:
    • Jake Fire: 1,051 acres
    • Merrill Fire: 2,788 acres
    • Blue Fire: 271 acres
  • The fires within this complex total 4,100 acres and are 3% contained. A total of 195 personnel are assigned to this complex.
  • Major Concerns and Issues:
    Archeologist will assist Heritage Resource Advisors in the identification of cultural resources for protection. The team is working closely with area Native American. The Merrill and Jake fires are also impacting important local fisheries. Wooley Creek historical cabins (used by President Hoover) are in danger in addition to private property in the area.

Hells Half Complex

  • Total fires: 17
  • 8 fires have been contained
  • Jess Secrest's Type 2 Northern Rockies Incident Management Team assumed command of the Hells Half Complex at 6:00 a.m. on 6/26/2008. The total acreage is estimated at 1,450 and is 15% contained. Today's planned activities include: continue burning out along the completed dozer fireline along the western perimeter, stem fire spread on the south and north perimeter of the Grouse incident, and continue assessing operational opportunities on the Half incident.
  • The Sims, Grouse, Gary and Sugarloaf fires have been merged into one incident, now called the Grouse Fire. The Grouse Fire is 30% contained; the (Hells) Half Fire is 0% contained and staffing limited to monitoring.
  • The complex currently has 9 hand crews, 18 fire engines, and 3 dozers. Total personnel assigned to the fire complex is 349.

Mad River Ranger District

  • Total acres: 1,450
  • 25 of these fires are 100% contained.
  • 323 personnel are assigned to the fire.
  • Bonanza Fire – 200-300 acres and is 0% contained. The fire was staffed through the night and fireline construction is continuing today.
  • Swim Fire – 200 acres and is 50% contained.
  • Travis Fires – 1,000 acres and is 100% contained.
  • Still managing other fires on the District.
  • If lightning storms occur, present firefighting resources will be recalled from contained fires and reassigned to new fires.

Closure Orders

Until further notice, the following areas are closed due to the fires or fire fighting activities. Information on closure orders can be found at the website below. Closure of the fire area is necessary to help ensure that no one is trapped or injured within the fire perimeter.

  • Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness is closed until further notice.
  • Forest Order for public safety to close the area burning in the Hells Half Complex on the Lower Trinity Ranger District.
  • For the Blue Fire area on the Smith River National Recreation area, Forest Road No. 14N01 (Red Mountain Road) from the Red Mountain Lookout then northeast to its intersection with Forest Road No. 15N01 (G-O Road) and Forest Road No. 15N01 (G-O Road.) from its intersection with Forest Road No. 14N01 then east to its termination point is closed.

Maps displaying the location of the fires are on the Six River National Forest website: www.fs.fed.us/r5/sixrivers/conditions/.

Fire Information: 707-441-3623

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