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Firefighters continue to focus on structure defense on August Complex
The Forest Service reported on Friday that the August Complex was up to 824,118 acres on all of its zones, a rollback of about 15,000 acres from the Thursday estimate, due to mapping. Containment remained at 30 percent.
The complex, burning in the Mendocino, Shasta-Trinity and Six Rivers National Forests, has destroyed 35 structures and is threatening approximately 1,395 more, officials said.
To date, it has resulted in one fatality of a firefighter – which was the result of a vehicle crash on Aug. 31 – and 11 injuries.
Officials said a cold front moving onshore is expected to bring higher humidity, more cloud cover and isolated showers to the area, although warmer conditions are forecast to return next week.
The Forest Service said structure defense remains a priority; indirect line construction, away from the fire’s edge; direct line construction and tactical firing operations, applying fire on
the ground to remove vegetation and widen containment lines.
Officials said Friday that the fire has crossed north of Rattlesnake Ridge and firefighters are conducting structure protection efforts in the Forest Glen area. Crews were assessing the Trinity Pines/Post Mountain area for structure defense.
Structure defense continues in Ruth Valley and Hettenshaw Valley with structure preparation ongoing in Kettenpom Valley, officials said.
Tactical firing operations also continued on Horse Ridge, west toward Ruth Valley to check northerly progression of the fire. Direct and indirect control lines have been constructed from Zenia Road east of the East Fork of the Eel River to Mad River Ridge, the Forest Service said.
On the northeast perimeter in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, officials said good progress has been made and crews continue to reinforce the containment line along the 35 Road. Established containment lines in this area are being actively monitored.
In the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness along Wrights Ridge, the August Complex North and South Zones continue to merge, therefore it is not safe to put firefighters in the area, officials reported.
Better weather conditions – with higher humidity and cloud cover – are aiding firefighters good air quality is expected to the west of the complex with improving conditions expected south of the fire.