News

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Current Situation: Last night crews attempted to continue firing efforts from Highpoint Ridge, but due to high humidity and low temperatures, the fire was not able to carry, instead, crews monitored the fire. Tactical firing will continue today with a safe, coordinated operation along the ridge. The intent of this firing is to keep the fire from lining up in drainages and spreading to the east or potentially throw embers across the line. The goal is to merge fire westward and ultimately box it in from Highpoint Ridge, to the Butler Fire burn scar and the main body of the fire. This operation may take several days to accomplish. Smoke production will likely increase throughout the area. Fire crews are working closely with resource advisors protecting cultural and natural resources.

The Red and Salmon Fires are burning on the Klamath, Six Rivers, and Shasta-Trinity National Forests. California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 is working closely with the Hoopa Valley Tribe and the Yurok, Karuk Tribes and the Community Liaison for Forks of Salmon.

Red Fire: Monitoring, patrol and mop-up of the Red Cap area on the north west area of the fire remains our number one priority. The second priority is today’s tactical firing operation. Crews monitoring the line from Salmon Summit Trail to South Fork of Red Cap and from Mill Creek Gap to Blacks Lake, reported all lines holding. Moving forward, night shift will no longer staff these areas.

Salmon Fire: This fire remains within its current footprint. However, islands of vegetation inside this area, will continue to burn. These are not threatening containment lines.

Weather: Relative humidity will remain in the 30-45% range. However, predicted relative humidity levels may drop this afternoon as low as 10 - 15% at higher elevations. Winds from the east this morning will increase and transition westerly and south westerly later in the day up to 10mph.

Air Quality: Westerly winds will move smoke to the east or northeast today. Smoke may be thick in valleys and canyons immediately east of the fire. Refer to fires.airfire.org/outlooks/NWCalifornia.

Closures: The Red Salmon Fire Forest Closure became effective on August 8, 2020. As hunting seasons open, hunters are reminded the closure is in place for their safety as well as the safety of firefighters. The full Forest Closure Order can be found on Inciweb. inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6891

COVID-19: California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 has implemented precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in both fire camp and the surrounding communities. These measures include daily temperature screenings, mandatory use of face coverings, social distancing, implementing more virtual work, and smaller fire camps. Community and firefighter safety are a top priority of both Team 4 and the National Forests.