News Release:
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US Forest Service
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Eureka, June 21, 2008
CALFIRE reports that approximately 37 lightning caused fires have started within the last 24 hours within state responsibility area. These fires are located in widely scattered areas of CALFIRE's Humboldt-Del Norte Unit. Most of the fires are in southern Humboldt county but some are as far north as Klamath. Several of these fires are currently contained. Fires range in size from a single tree to approximately 40 acres. Most fires are a few acres or less.
The forty acre fire is burning in Carson Creek north of Redcrest. PALCO and Green Diamond Resource Company are working cooperatively with CALFIRE to locate and contain fires through out their ownerships.
CALFIRE currrently has ten engines, five handcrews, two airtankers, and one helicopter assigned to the fires at this time. Forest Service resources continue to respond to the large number of lightning fires on the north coast. According the Kent Swartzlander, Forest Fire Chief, "We have lightning fires on all four Ranger Districts within the Six Rivers National Forest. There have been 50 reported fires and we expect this number will increase as more fires are located."
Some of these fires have been contained, while others are not yet staffed. The five larger fires have been staffed.
- Sims Fire - Lower Trinity District estimated 25 acres
- Blue Fire - Gasquet District/Smith River National Recreation Area estimated 25 acres
- Mill Fire - Orleans Ranger District estimated 35 acres
- Travis Fires - Mad River District estimated 50 acres
- Lassic Fire – Mad River District estimated 20 acres
Six Rivers currently has four hand crews, three hotshot crews, 17 engines, eight smoke jumpers, one air attack, one air tanker, and one recon plane assigned to the fires. There is a shortage of resources with fire activity in the north coast area. Resources orders are being coordinated to most efficiently respond to the fires resulting from these lightning strikes.
No structures are threatened at this time and there have been no reported injuries. Fires are generally burning in remote areas. Firefighter and public safety is paramount, so we will not be placing crews and engines in fire areas unless we can provide for their utmost safety.