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News Release:
Ukonom, Hells Half and Mad Complex Update
[Shield]: US Forest Service

US Forest Service
Six Rivers National Forest

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

Eureka, June 29, 2008

Information on the Ukonom, Hells Half and Mad Complexes.

Ukonom Complex

Great Basin Interagency Type 2 Incident Management Team
Beth Lund, Incident Commander

  • Public Meeting
    The Ukonom team will hold a second public meeting tonight, June 29 at 6:00 pm to brief community members on incident updates and management plans and to hear feedback from impacted residents. The meeting will be held at the Junction School in Somes Bar. Everyone is invited to attend.
  • Community Relations:
    The Ukonom Incident Management Team, along with local cooperating agencies and tribal representatives, is establishing a community outreach network to facilitate information between impacted residents and the team.
  • Facility and Road Closures:
    • ROADS
      Camp 3 Road
    • TRAILS
      Wooley Creek Trail
      Bridge Creek Trail
      Portuguese Peak Trail
    • FACILITIES
      Nordheimer Campground
      Dillon Creek Campground
    • AREAS
      The area between the Salmon River Road and the Salmon River from Wooley Creek to Nordheimer Campground.
    For more information on closures contact the Orleans Ranger District Office, Six Rivers National Forest at 530-627-3291.
  • Fire Information:
    The Ukonom Complex is currently at 5,548 acres and includes the following fires. Acreage is from June 28 evening information:
    • Jake Fire: 1,051 acres
    • Merrill Fire: 2,788 acres
    • Blue Fire: 271 acres
    • There are 336 firefighters committed to the effort.

Hells Half Complex

  • Jess Secrest's Type 2 Northern Rockies Incident Management Team (IMT) assumed command of the Hells Half Complex on 6/26/2008. The fires are located about three miles southwest of Burnt Ranch. On the Half Fire, fire activity in the afternoon and evening of June 28 contributed to significant growth in the southeast corner. Burnout was completed on the east side of the Grouse Fire. Fireline construction was started on the south edge of the Grouse fire. Ground reconnaissance and construction of hand built fireline continues on the Half Fire. Dangerous terrain, heavy fuels, dense smoke, and limited access to many areas continue to hamper fire suppression. There was minimal lightning activity from the passing weather disturbance overnight. Firefighting crews are staged at the Salyer Guard Station for responding to new fire starts. No structures have been lost, and no evacuation orders have been issued. The total acreage is estimated at 1,831 acres and 25% contained.
    Today’s planned activities include:
    • Grouse Fire - Dozers are being moved to the south edge of the Grouse fire for line construction. Burnout operations along the completed dozer constructed fireline on the western perimeter fire may occur if conditions are safe. Continue to stem fire spread on the north and south perimeter.
    • Half Fire - Continue assessing operational opportunities and construct and secure firelines on the east flank.
    • The Complex currently has 8 hand crews, 12 fire engines, and 5 dozers. A total of 344 personnel are assigned to the complex.

Mad Complex

  • Fires on the Mad River Ranger District have been combined into the Mad Complex. Four hand crews continue to build fireline in the inaccessible steep terrain on the Bonanza Fire. Mop up operations continue on the Neilson, Swim, North/Van Horn and Travis fires.
    • Total acres: 2,528
    • 25 fires are 100% contained
    • 323 personnel are assigned to the fire
    • Bonanza Fire – 300 acres and is 5% contained.
    • Swim Fire – 210 acres and is now 95% contained due to a three acre spot fire.
    • Travis Fires – 1,700 acres (acreage increase due to more accurate mapping) and is 100% contained.
    • Five fires are not staffed

Closures

Until further notice, some areas, roads and trails are closed due to the fires or fire fighting activities. Information on closure orders can be found at the website www.fs.fed.us/r5/sixrivers/conditions/.

Fire Information: 707-441-3623

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