NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The US Forest Service said the massive wildland fire complex burning across three national forests is expected to be fully contained mid-November as firefighters continue to make more progress.
Officials said the August Complex reached 832,891 acres on Saturday, with containment edging up to 31 percent.
Burning on the Mendocino, Shasta-Trinity and Six Rivers National Forests, the complex – which began Aug. 17 – is threatening 1,595 structures and has destroyed 35, officials reported.
The Forest Service said the complex is expected to be fully contained on Nov. 15.
Approximately 1,884 personnel are assigned, the Forest Service said.
Officials said crews continue to make good progress on the South Zone of the August Complex. The entire east side of the complex is now contained.
On Friday, crews constructed additional line to the west and northwest of Lake Pillsbury. Once completed, these lines will be used as both primary and alternate locations for containment of the fire, the Forest Service said.
Fire crews also initiated burning operations to the north of Pillsbury Ranch, removing vegetation between control lines and the main fire perimeter. Additional burning is planned to be completed during favorable weather and other conditions, officials said.
Once completed, officials said this work will provide a secure line and added protection for the residents of Lake Pillsbury and the surrounding community.
Structure protection measures have been implemented where property may be impacted by the fire, as well as throughout the Lake Pillsbury and surrounding areas, officials said.
Burning operations are being accomplished both by ground and air. The Forest Service said aerial ignitions are being completed utilizing a dispenser that launches small plastic spheres – like ping pong balls – through an opening in a helicopter.
The spheres are filled with a chemical that reacts and ignites after a short delay. The Forest Service said this type of ignition allows for burning or firing operations in terrain that may be difficult or unsafe for firefighters to reach by ground.
Officials said the planned ignitions are intended to burn in a more mosaic pattern and lower intensity than in an uncontrolled wildfire.
In the South Zone of the August Complex, the Forest Service said evacuation orders are in effect for Mendocino and Lake counties.
In Lake County, mandatory evacuations remain active for Pillsbury Ranch and the entire Lake Pillsbury basin.
The Forest Service said recent changes to evacuation orders include Mendocino County reducing four of the evacuation zones on the west side of the fire to an evacuation warning, while Glenn County lifted the evacuation order within the Mendocino National Forest on Friday.
Residents and property owners may return to their properties but should use extreme caution when entering the burn area, as hazards may be present, the Forest Service said. Individuals should have proof of property ownership or other documentation upon request while accessing the forest area. Contractors of private property owners should have documentation of the property being accessed and permission from the landowner.
On the complex’s West Zone, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office reported that Sheriff Matt Kendall is seeking assistance from the Governor's Office in obtaining California National Guard resources to assist with fire suppression efforts.
That’s in response to Cal Fire having a 53-percent decrease in its Type 1 hand crews that are staffed by inmates from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
The California National Guard is trained to assist Cal Fire Type 1 hand crews in establishing and maintaining fire lines and will not be used for any law enforcement related purposes if deployed to Mendocino County as requested by Sheriff Kendall, officials said.
Firefighters make progress on August Complex; incident expected to be contained Nov. 15
- LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
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