The Red Salmon Complex — which includes the Red and Salmon fires — has grown to 2,643 acres and remains at zero containment, according to this morning’s fire update.

Both fires are burning in steep, rugged terrain within the Six Rivers and Shasta Trinity national forest, a news release states. Today, crews on the ground will continue their attempts to suppress the blaze as air operations continue in support.

“An air quality monitoring specialist will continue to provide daily smoke forecasts and air quality information for the surrounding communities,” the news release states.

For safety reasons, officials have also closed Big Rock River Access, which is being used as a “dip site” for helicopter operations.

Find updates here.

Read the full release below:

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.