Single Publication

River Complex Fire Update

Friday, August 20, 2021

Etna, Calif, — River Complex Fires continued to burn actively throughout the day and into yesterday evening.  The Haypress Fire experienced the largest growth, spreading to the south and east. Today, fire crews will focus on structure defense planning in fire threatened communities.  Fire crews are focusing efforts in critical areas of the fire in anticipation of increased fire activity today.  To be more efficient, fire managers are utilizing the knowledge of local timber companies on fire area road systems, geography, and terrain. This will decrease time required to plan and implement suppression tactics.

Beginning Sunday, August 22nd, 2021, new Forest Closures will take effect:

USDA Forest Service Temporarily Closes Nine Northern California National Forests for Public Safety

This closure will be effective on Sunday, August 22nd, at 11:59 pm through Monday September 6th, 2021 at 11:59 pm.  To view the closure order, visit:  https://go.usa.gov/xF7EM

Weather:  Another elevated fire weather day is expected today (Friday). Warm, dry, and breezy northwest winds are expected across the fire area. While smoke may moderate or delay fire weather potential until later in the afternoon, low humidity and breezy winds will promote elevated fire weather potential through Friday evening. 

Today:  

• Monitor and implement structure defense plans in communities threated by the fire.
• Continue mop up and patrol of existing control lines, monitor for spot fires and slop-overs on all River Complex fires.
• Construct and improve fire lines in all divisions where conditions allow, and personnel and equipment are available.
• Conduct firing operations where feasible to strengthen containment lines and remove available fuels for the fire to consume.
• Continue direct and indirect line construction and firing operations on the north side of the Summer and the south side of the Haypress to keep the fire from progressing towards communities.
• All fires within the River Complex are being managed under a full suppression tactics plan.

Haypress AND Summer Fires: The Haypress and the Summer fires will continue to actively back down the slopes, closing the distance between the two fires adjacent to Summersville. The extremely dry fuel conditions and the prevailing northwesterly winds will cause the Haypress and Summer fires to continue to spread with a rapid rate to the south and east. There is potential for extreme fire behavior and long-range spotting during the late afternoon.

Cronan Fire: The west flank of the Cronan fire will remain active as the crews look for opportunities to progress along the Yellow Jacket Ridge with their firing operation towards the planned control line at Murderers Gulch.

Fire Statistics: Total complex 80,400 acres (16,086 acres growth) 10% Containment

Haypress Fire: 56,661 acres (12,285 acres growth) 3% Contained

Summer Fire: 19,182 acres (2,571 acres growth) 2% Contained

Cronan Fire: 4,520 acres (1,230 acres growth) 18% Contained

Multiple other smaller fires (37 total acres) make up the total River Complex acres with a total of 2% containment.  All other fires are either out or in patrol status.

Evacuations: 

Evacuation Order: Cecilville, Summerville, Petersburg, and Coffee Creek Road past Sugar Pine Trailhead in Trinity County.

Evacuation Warning: Sawyers Bar

An evacuation order means there is immediate threat to life and is a lawful order to leave immediately.  The area is closed to public access. An evacuation warning means there is a potential threat to life and/or property.  Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now.

Road Closures: Trinity County has issued a hard closure of Coffee Creek Road at North Fork Trailhead west of Hwy 3. The Callahan-Cecilville Road is closed from approximately one mile west of the community of Callahan to Cecilville.  The Sawyers Bar Road is closed from Forks of Salmon to Forest Road 40N51.  

Forest Closures:  The Shasta-Trinity, Klamath and Six Rivers National Forests have issued an order closing the Trinity Alps Wilderness through November 15, 2021.  Trails and recreational areas are all closed. The Klamath and Six Rivers National Forests have closed the Marble Mountain and Russian Wildernesses and the forest within the Salmon/Scott River Ranger District.  All roads, trails and recreation areas are closed to the public through September 15, 2021. See top of page for new Northern California Forest Closure Orders. 

Resources:

733 Personnel

15 Hand Crews

10 Helicopters

38 Engines

8 Dozers

13 Water Tenders

2 Masticator

Smoke Report:  https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/NorthernCalifornia