- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
Fire crews on August Complex prepare for impact of weather event
The US Forest Service said Friday that the August Complex increased by nearly 5,000 more acres, to a total of 867,335 acres. Containment rose slightly to 40 percent.
The lightning-caused complex has been burning since Aug. 17 and is anticipated to be fully contained on Nov. 15. It is burning on the Mendocino, Shasta-Trinity and Six Rivers National Forests.
At 7 a.m. Friday, a Type 2 Incident Management Team from the Mendocino National Forest, under Incident Commander Curtis Coots as well as a National Incident Management Team team, assumed command of the South Zone of the August Complex, officials said.
The Forest Service said crews continue to make progress in the Pillsbury Lake area, mopping up after successful firing operations earlier in the week. In addition, crews are working on approved fireline locations in Elk Creek drainage and the Sanhedrin Wilderness to prevent further fire spread to the west.
In the Pillsbury Ranch and Lake Pillsbury basin areas of Lake County, mandatory evacuations remain in place. More information on evacuations across the fire area can be found here.
In advance of a significant change in the forecast for the upcoming weekend – including high winds that have resulted in the National Weather Service issuing a red flag warning for much of Northern California from Saturday night through Monday – firefighters worked on Thursday to improve control lines west and northwest of Lake Pillsbury near Sunset Gap, officials said.
The Forest Service said pumps, hose lays, and sprinklers have been installed and tested, and dozer lines are being improved for use in firing and holding operations that may be needed as weather conditions change.
The east side of the South Zone is fully contained, and is being patrolled with aircraft to ensure that any threats to control lines are identified, officials said.
Officials said residents and property owners may return to their properties within the Mendocino National Forest in Glenn County, but access to the Forest Service closure area for other purposes, including hunting and recreation, is prohibited. Properties accessed via a Forest System road may require a permit from the US Forest Service.
Please contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316 for more information.