- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Firefighters make more progress on Glass fire, August Complex
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Firefighters on the Glass fire had another day of significant containment gains on Saturday while the August Complex continued to add more acreage.
Cal Fire said the Glass fire, burning for two weeks in Napa and Sonoma counties, stayed at 67,484 acres for the second day, with containment up to 86 percent by Saturday night.
The fire has destroyed 1,555 structures and damaged 282 others, Cal Fire said.
Officials said the fire continues to threaten 2,560 structures.
On Saturday there was smoldering heavy fuels and minimal activity over the entire Glass fire
Area, Cal Fire said.
The demobilization of resources continues, Cal Fire said, with resources anticipated to be released based on the current fire and weather situation. These measures ensure that the number and type of resources assigned to the incident match the current operational needs.
As a result, Cal Fire said the number of personnel on Saturday was reduced to 1,135, along with 130 engines, 16 water tenders, seven helicopters, 17 hand crews, 11 dozers and two masticators.
The fire remains on track to be fully contained by Oct. 20.
August Complex adds 3,000 more acres
Elsewhere around the region, the August Complex grew by about 3,000 acres to a total of 1,026,947 acres on Saturday night, with containment at 69 percent, the US Forest Service said.
The lightning-caused complex, which began on Aug. 17, is burning on the Mendocino, Shasta-Trinity and Six Rivers National Forests.
The Forest Service said firefighters are continuing mop up along a slopover area northeast of Lake Pillsbury, near Bloody Rock.
On the west side of the South Zone, fire continues to back out of the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness onto Cal Fire Direct Protection Area. The Southwest Area Incident Management Team is engaged in a coordinated and collaborative response with Cal Fire to support suppression actions to protect local communities at risk, officials said.
The Forest Service said firefighters are patrolling the eastern side of the South Zone with aircraft. Fire crews and engines are patrolling the southern and western perimeter of the South Zone.
Minimal fire behavior is expected as cooler temperatures and increased relative humidity continue through the weekend. However, officials said some smoke is expected to remain visible in areas as heavier fuels like logs and stumps continue to hold heat and the fire burns through pockets of previously unburned vegetation within the fire’s perimeter.
Firefighters are evaluating areas across the South Zone to identify and prioritize suppression repair needs. The Forest Service said crews have begun ordering equipment and personnel to support suppression repair efforts in the coming days.
The complex is expected to be fully contained on Nov. 15.
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