NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The US Forest Service’s latest report on the growing August Complex confirmed dozens of structures have been destroyed as the lightning-caused fires continue to burn through several national forests.
As of Wednesday, the Forest Service said the August Complex has burned 796,651 acres and is 30-percent contained. It began following on Aug. 17 following thunderstorms that moved over the region.
The Forest Service said the complex has destroyed 35 structures and continues to threaten another 400.
The complex is burning on the Mendocino, Shasta-Trinity and Six Rivers National Forests.
The August Complex South Zone, which includes the Doe fire that had burned into northern Lake County, has burned 531,471 acres, the US Forest Service reported.
The August Complex-South Zone will hold a virtual public meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, to provide a fire overview and to allow the public to ask questions. The meeting will be live-streamed on the Mendocino National Forest Facebook page.
Officials said the complex’s South Zone continues to grow in size as fire crews make good progress in some locations, while conditions in other areas are proving difficult.
The sheer size of the fire creates varying fire activity across the vast terrain and fuel conditions, the Forest Service said.
Firefighters were successful in implementing additional control line and containment measures along the eastern portion of the fire on Tuesday. The Forest Service said crews completed burning operations near Salt Creek that will provide a secure containment line once mop-up of the area is complete.
The fire continues to progress south toward Lake Pillsbury where extreme dry conditions and heavy vegetation are allowing for substantial fire growth despite having favorable winds from the southwest, the Forest Service said.
In the Lake Pillsbury area, fire crews are constructing dozer and hand lines, and tying into previously constructed lines from the 2018 Ranch fire. Firefighters are also installing hose lays and implementing measures for structure protection, officials said.
Officials said evacuation orders remain in place for Pillsbury Ranch and the entire Lake Pillsbury basin.
In the southwest area of the fire within the Yuki and Sanhedrin Wilderness Areas, fire behavior remains active, and growth has progressed west of Impassible Rock. The Forest Service said air tankers are being utilized to provide protection of important communications facilities with retardant drops.
In addition to the evacuations in Lake County, evacuation orders also are in effect for portions of Mendocino, Humboldt and Trinity counties. Evacuation information can be found at Inciweb.
August Complex nears 800,000-acre mark; South Zone virtual community meeting planned Sept. 17
- LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
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