CALIF.— According to Daniel Berlant, CAL Fire state assistant deputy director, this week, critical fire weather continued to fan multiple fast-moving wildfires, as over 18,700 firefighters continue to battle 27 major wildfires.
“Fortunately, the gusty winds decreased overnight allowing firefighters to continue to build containment line and perform structure defense,” noted Berlant, adding that on Monday, the U.S. Forest Service reported that the 31,000 Lake Fire in Los Angeles County, which started on August 12, was fully contained. Firefighters across the State responded to 19 new wildfires, one of which, in Los Angeles County, is still burning.
“Sadly, the Shasta County Sheriff’s Department announced yesterday that three civilian fatalities occurred on Zogg Fire, which raises the overall fatality count since mid-August to 29,” he noted.
Fire officials report that since the beginning of the year, there have been over 8,100 wildfires that have burned well over 3.8 million acres in California.
A Red Flag Warning remains in effect for the mountains and inland valleys in Riverside and San Diego Counties through Tuesday night. Although gusty winds have dissipated, strong high pressure continues to keep temperatures above normal across much of the inland areas of California, while coastal regions should expect cooler conditions accompanied by marine layer. This weather pattern is expected to remain in place for much of the week.
With no significant precipitation in sight, California remains dry and ripe for wildfires. “Have you signed up for emergency alerts in case a fire near your home requires you to evacuate?, Berlant asked, adding that If not, residents should sign up for the alerts in your county at http://calalerts.org/signup.html to make sure they are prepared, and to learn more about other ways to be ready for any emergency, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org.
Crews spent Monday checking control lines in the Lake Pillsbury area and conducting mop up further into the burned area after the weekend red flag warning conditions ended and high winds exited the area. At press time Tuesday, the August Complex is 938,044 acres with 43% containment.
“The hard work our crews put in during the days before weather conditions worsened allowed the South Zone to hold and defend containment lines around the Lake Pillsbury area, ” said Mike Quesinberry, Incident Commander of the National Incident Management Organization (NIMO). “All of this advance preparation, including line construction, structure protection, firing operations, and mop up led to a very successful outcome as critical fire weather came through.”
Tuesday, crews were busy performing additional checks of control lines, mop up additional areas, and worked to identify and remove snags and trees that have fallen as a result of fire damage or wind in the Lake Pillsbury area. Other crews were beginning to dismantle and retrieving hose, pumps, and portable tanks that were installed for structure protection and to hold control lines as areas were checked and determined to be cold.
The PNW No. 2 Incident Management Team under Incident Commander Rob Allan briefed with Mike
Quesinberry’s NIMO team Tuesday and was to assume command of the August Complex South Zone later this week.
Weather: Clear skies, high temperatures, and low humidity were in the forecast for early in the week, with temperatures of 80-90 degrees at higher elevations and approximately 100 degrees in valleys. Winds were forecast to be variable at 5 to 10 mph in valleys, and south-southwest around 10 mph. areas.
Evacuations: In the South Zone of the August Complex, evacuation orders are in place for portions of
Mendocino and Lake counties. Please see each of the respective county sheriff’s office or emergency management websites for specific evacuation information. Evacuation information can also be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6983/55716/.
Closures: Forest Order No. 08-20-13 is in effect for the Mendocino National Forest. Residents and
property owners may return to their properties within the Mendocino National Forest in Glenn County
and Tehama 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.
