In the Trinity Region, the Mad River Complex is now fully contained. It’s been burning for more than a month near Ruth Lake. It originally prompted many road closures and evacuations in the area, but has now officially been put in check at 58 square miles.
Hope for further fire suppression continues in the Trinity Region as a chance for showers remains over the extreme north Friday.
· The largest fire in that area – called the River Complex – is north of Highway 299 and is now 111 square miles in size. While it’s still only 47 percent contained fire crews have been successful in creating containment lines that block the fire from reaching nearby communities. The fire is now expected to head northeast into the Trinity Alps Wilderness. It’s an area that’s less populated, but is full of rugged, steep terrain that’s dangerous for firefighting. All evacuations and road closures in the area have been lifted.
A public meeting about the River Complex is scheduled at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3 at the Umpqua Bank in Willow Creek, 39171 Highway 299. You can livestream the meeting here.
· North of Hyampom, the South Complex is holding at 45 square miles. It’s 89 percent contained. Fire crews are mostly working on repairing fireline in the area. Pumps and hoses are being removed from areas where the fire has been suppressed.
· The Fork Complex near Hayfork and Peanut is 57 square miles in size. It’s 97 percent contained.
Elsewhere in Northern California:
· In Lake County a 450 acre wildfire is burning north of Upper Lake. The Elk Fire started Wednesday, off Elk Mountain Road and Mount Dinger Road. It’s 20 percent contained.
· In Del Norte County, the Gasquet Complex has been burning for exactly a month now near US 199 east of Crescent City. It’s nearly 45 square miles in size and is now 41 percent contained. This fire is threatening many cultural and archeological sites, along with endangered species.
· Farther south the Nickowitz Fire nearly 11 square miles in size and is still 70 percent contained.
Recently contained fires:
· Route Complex (Trinity County) – This fire was fully contained at 55 square miles.
· Olive Fire (Butte County) – This fire was fully contained at 72 acres. It was started Wednesday and was threatening several structures near Olive Tree Lane south of Oroville.
For more on these and other California wildfires, visit the state or federal wildfire websites.