The Six Rivers Lightning Complex Fire threatening communities along the Trinity River is now just under 11,000 acres and remains at 0 percent containment, according to today’s update.

The complex, which initially comprised 12 fires sparked by lightning before dawn on Aug. 5, is now down to five active fires due to the “aggressive initial attack of Six Rivers National Forest firefighters and cooperating agencies,” according to the U.S. Forest Service.

“Overnight hard work by firefighters in combination with high humidity kept fire growth to a minimum,” this morning’s update states. “Higher humidity is expected today on the northern end of the fire and there is not a lot of anticipated movement today.

Fire personnel on scene has more than doubled since yesterday to 1,245.

The Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services reports a new Evacuation Warning has been issued today for HUM-E032-B, located northeast of Willow Creek. Today’s update states evacuations are continuing “around Willow Creek, Friday Ridge, Salyer and Trinity Village. Additional fire growth could impact communities and residences along the Route 1 road.” (Find a map of evacuation zones here.)

For the latest evacuation information visit the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services site at https://humboldtgov.org/2383/Current-Emergencies or  the Trinity County Office of Emergency Services site at https://www.trinitycounty.org/OES.

An evacuation center has been set up at Trinity Valley Elementary School (730 State Route 96), with the Hoopa Rodeo Grounds serving as an evacuation center for large animals.

State Route 299, State Route 96 and Route 1 remain open to through traffic, according to the update but residents are encouraged to visit http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ to check for state highway closures.

Road closures are in effect at Horse Linto Creek Road at Saddle Lane, Country Club Road at Kimtu Bridge and Friday Ridge Road at State Route 299 although residents may use those roads to evacuate out.

Priorities today include working to improve control lines and secure areas around the cell tower that provides service to Willow Creek while on the far eastern side of the Campbell Fire crews will be working to finish a dozer line south of Zeigler Point and west of Trinity Village in the Quimby Creek area. The update also states that fire retardant has been dropped “in the Ammon Ridge corridor and dozer line and hand line has been created along the south and southeastern side” of the edge of the Ammon Fire.

The North Coast Air Quality Management District has issued an advisory for areas in and around Willow Creek, saying smoke will create air quality conditions ranging from moderate to unhealthy with clearing expected in the afternoon. Find more information here.

Read the full update below:

The Lightning Complex Fire is currently 10,781 acres with 0% containment. There are now 1,245 personnel area assigned to the incident. USFS, CAIIMT 11 and CalFIRE have been working together to create a single unified operational plan to in order to collectively fight fire and support the communities impacted.

CalFIRE’s partnership has been an integral part of the effort to suppress the Lightning Complex Fire with their collaborative assistance in protecting life and property. Overnight hard work by firefighters in combination with high humidity kept fire growth to a minimum.

Higher humidity is expected today on the northern end of the fire and there is not a lot of anticipated movement today. A priority today near the Bremer Fire is to continue to improve control lines and secure areas near the cell tower that provides communications to Willow Creek. Warmer and dryer weather to the east of the Quimby Creek area means a higher potential for active fire behavior. This area may also be impacted by afternoon upcanyon winds Trinity River that push from west to east.

On the far eastern side of the Campbell Fire, crews will be working to complete dozer line south of Zeigler Point and west of Trinity Village in the Quimby Creek area. On the Ammon Fire, fire retardant has been dropped in the Ammon Ridge corridor and dozer line and hand line has been created along the south and southeastern side of the fire’s edge. Most of the smoke production has been coming from this fire. Areas south of this fire are hot and dry. Yesterday firefighters saw increased fire activity when good clean air from southwest winds presented. This area is not expected to be as active today.

Fire Behavior around the northwestern, north and northeastern sides of the fire Complex: Bremer, Waterman and Campbell fires remain influenced by the inversion layer. Growth continues towards the communities of Salyer Heights, Willow Creek and Trinity Center. Fire behavior has moderated with strong marine push into the Willow Creek area.

Today’s fire behavior is expected to be muted by a strengthening inversion, though portions of the eastern sides of the fire may get moderately clearer air resulting from southerly winds. Largest growth expected to the west and south of the Oak, Ammon and Charlie Fires. Strategic objectives are to keep the fire north of Ammon Ridge, south of Waterman Road, east of the FS-1 road and west of the boundary with the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. 

EVACUATIONS: The fire threatens communities along the Trinity River. Five main fires burn North and South of Highway 299. Primary areas of focus are the communities along the 299 corridor, Waterman Ridge, Friday Ridge Road, and Ammon Ridge. Evacuations continue around Willow Creek, Friday Ridge, Salyer and Trinity Village. Additional fire growth could impact communities and residences along the Route 1 road. To find the latest evacuation information go to Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services (https://humboldtgov.org/2383/Current-Emergencies) or Trinity County Office of Emergency Services (https://www.trinitycounty.org/OES). Evacuation zones can be found at https://community.zonehaven.com/. If you are under an evacuation warning, take the necessary steps to be ready to leave.

EVACUATION CENTER: Trinity Valley Elementary School 730 Highway 96, Willow Creek, CA 95573 ANIMAL EVACUATION CENTER Hoopa Rodeo Grounds 1767 Pine Creek Rd., Hoopa, CA 95546 Phone: (707) 492-2851 The Hoopa Rodeo Grounds has several single pens and larger pens for whole herds. Call directly if you need directions or help transporting your large animals. They cannot house sheep, goats, poultry, or small animals, but they can potentially help arrange for temporary foster placement. If you can foster, please reach out regarding your availability and capacity.

ROAD CLOSURES: State Route 299, State Route 96, and Route 1 remain open to through traffic. Residents are encouraged to visit http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ to check for state highway closures. The following roads into evacuation zones have been closed. Residents may still use these roads to travel out of evacuation order zones: · Horse Linto Creek Road at Saddle Lane · Country Club Road at Kimtu Bridge · Friday Ridge Road at Hwy 299

SMOKE :Heavy smoke and strong inversions continue to affect the health of those who are not yet evacuated. Please check https://www.ncuaqmd.org for air quality resources.