The past few days of warm dry weather we have enjoyed, has allowed the Smith River Fire Complex to experience moderate fire behavior with hot spots and other areas with in the fire’s perimeter previously smoldering are now more actively burning. Although activity has increased, the fires size has only added 846 acres in the past week, now covering more than 86,347 total acres and 21% containment.
Caltrans and California Highway Patrol worked in close coordination with fire authorities and hotshot crews began low-intensity control burns in three locations along US Hwy. 199 that continued into Sunday.
On Sunday, due to rock slides and fire activity, Caltrans and California Highway Patrol closed US Hwy. 199 Sunday afternoon,and resumed piloted traffic reduced to one lane where crews are conducting firing operations, cutting hazard trees, and repairing the fire-damaged roadway between Sandy Beach and Oregon Mountain Road and drivers should expect lengthy delays.
Firefighters also observed that the vegetation near the ground remains too moist to facilitate fire spread, which allowed firefighters to scout and reassess their options for accessing the fire’s edge to suppress hotspots and advancement along the fire perimeter.
Crews began to establish a camp in Harbor, near Brookings. Heavy equipment and personnel have been moving into the Harbor area for the last couple days as crews began to establish a camp in Harbor, near Brookings, to put equipment and firefighters closer to their work site.
Level 1 “Be Ready”: Community of O’Brien including Takilma, East of Hwy 199 from mile post 39 to the OR/CAL border.
Level 2 “Be Set”: Del Norte County Level 2 and Level 1 evacuation orders remain in effect.
