Fire engines working the Red Salmon Complex. [Photo from InciWeb]

Current Situation: Last night, crews made slow progress with the tactical firing operation along High Point Ridge, due to higher humidity’s, however there were no issues with holding the line. Today, there is a Red Flag warning for dry lightning and potential thunderstorms. These can create variable winds, producing gusty outflow winds, which may affect the pace of firing efforts.

Red Fire: The number one priority on the fire continues in  maintaining the footprint of the Red Cap section in the north west area of the fire, crews will continue to monitor, patrol and mop-up hot spots. Today’s firing objectives include keeping the Red and Salmon Fires east of Packsaddle Ridge, west of High Point Ridge, north of the Soldier Creek Trail and south of Lunch Creek to Salmon Summit Trail to Red Cap Peak. With the Red Flag warning in effect, crews will remain alert as they concentrate on the strategic firing operation along High Point Ridge. Crews may also initiate firing operations today at the intersect of Pack Saddle Ridge and Horse Trail on the western edge as well as the eastern edge, to keep fire even with the southern edge of the fire as it advances.

Salmon Fire: This fire remains within its current footprint. Islands of vegetation inside this area, will continue to burn. These are not threatening containment lines.

The Red and Salmon Fires are burning on the Klamath, Six Rivers, and Shasta-Trinity National Forests.  California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 is working closely with the Hoopa Valley Tribe, the Yurok and Karuk Tribes and the Community Liaison for Forks of Salmon.

Weather: A red flag warning is in effect for today and tonight, there is a 35% chance of thunderstorms, through the afternoon with potential for dry lightning and outflow winds and bands of showers.  Relative humidity is predicted to be 35-40% across the fire throughout the day, however, depending on location, these values may fluctuate. Light east/west winds will shift to west in the late afternoon at about 5-10 mph. Temperatures will be in the mid to upper 80’s.

Air Quality: Smoke, including smoke from neighboring fires, will continue to become more prominent each day around Highway 96 due to southerly winds.  Refer to fires.airfire.org/outlooks/NWCalifornia. 

Closures: The Red Salmon Fire Forest Closure became effective on August 8, 2020. As hunting seasons open, hunters are reminded the closure is in place for their safety as well as the safety of firefighters. The full Forest Closure Order can be found on Inciweb. inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6891

COVID-19: California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 has implemented precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in both fire camp and the surrounding communities. These measures include daily temperature screenings, mandatory use of face coverings, social distancing, implementing more virtual work, and smaller fire camps. Community and firefighter safety are a top priority of both Team 4 and the National Forests.