South, Shasta-Trinity NF

South, Shasta-Trinity NF, USFS. IMT 2 (CA Team 16). Fifteen miles south of Platina, CA. Timber, chaparral and hardwood litter. Minimal fire behavior with smoldering and creeping.

October 1, 2019 at 6:50 AM

Fire behavior remained minimal due to to high humidity and moisture over the fire area from previous days. The decrease in acres is due to better mapping. Road and trail closures remain in effect for the fire area. There is a threat to prehistoric trails, historic sites, and endangered Salmon. Fire may impact a Class 1 Airshed within the Yolla Bolla Wilderness.

September 26, 2019 at 8:39 AM

Planned actions: Monitor fire activity and patrol existing containment and confinement lines. Complete unfinished repair to Suppression Repair Plan standards. Be prepared to take appropriate action if fire crosses established Management Action Points.

September 19, 2019 at 7:21 AM

Minimal fire activity occurred on Tuesday, with a small increase in acreage. The South Fire is in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, southeast of Tomhead Mountain, west of Red Bluff, and 15 miles south of Platina CA. The fire is in a remote and very rugged area of the forest. The western portion of the South Fire, within the Yolla Bolly Wilderness, continues to be confined south of Humbolt Ridge; east of Sanford Ridge; and north of Cottonwood Creek.

The eastern portion of the fire, which is being managed under a full suppression strategy, saw very little activity on Tuesday. Today, firefighters will focus primarily on improving and mopping up containment lines as needed to keep the fire within existing lines. Road repair operations will continue. The top priorities are to continue providing for firefighter and public safety; protection of private and Forest Service infrastructure; protection of natural and cultural resources; and limiting fire spread to within the established boundaries.

The fire received light rain this morning. Today’s forecast is for cloudy skies, cooler and wetter conditions. Temperatures are forecast for 55-60 at 5000 feet and 65-70 at 2500 feet. This afternoon’s winds will be from the west and northwest at 5-9 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph. Today’s fire behavior will be characterized by smoldering larger fuels. No fire growth is expected today.

September 15, 2019 at 9:01 AM

The fire remained active into the early hours of the morning. Growth was predominately in locations where wind and slope aligned.

Forecast: Sunny in the morning. Partly cloudy in the afternoon. Highs 70-74 at 5000 feet and 82-5 at 2500 feet. Minimum relative humidity 25-28 percent at 5000 feet and 16-21 percent at 2500. Winds Upslope/Upcanyon 2-5 mph through 1:00 pm then southwest 7-11 mph with gusts to around 20 mph after 3:00 pm.

Projected Incident Activity

12 hours: An increase in wind speed out of the southwest will increase movement upslope. Active to very active fire behavior is expected with brief periods of extreme with short range spotting up to 1/4 to 1/2 mile. Fire will continue to back from firing locations allowing for increased depth.

24 hours: Rain and an increase in humidity will decrease the fire behavior and movement.

September 14, 2019 at 6:43 PM

The South fire continues to move northwest along Cottonwood Creek. Some upslope movement as the fire finds favorable fuels. Southwest winds encourage a northeast movement out of Cottonwood Creek

September 13, 2019 at 7:50 AM

CalFire IMT 5 is working in conjunction with the US Forest Service resources, and has assumed suppression responsibilities for the state responsibility area land located south of Cottonwood Creek in Branch 10. CalFire activities include in crews widening and improving direct line. Holding existing line and mopping up 200′ in.

September 10, 2019 at 10:00 AM

Fire activity decreased overnight and was minimal. Backing, creeping and smoldering were observed. Due to their close proximity, fire managers for both the South and Red Bank fires are working in coordination with one another and sharing air resources. Planned Actions: Continue to scout and construct direct and indirect fireline. Assess and provide point protection for structures and critical values at risk. Handcrews will be flown in by helicopter on the south end of the fire to evaluate and construct handline. Contingency group will assess structure defense requirements on the north side of the fire.

Projected Incident Activity: Continued growth toward the the northwest, southeast and the southwest into the Yolla Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness.

September 9, 2019 at 8:58 AM

The incident is located in steep, rugged terrain. There is a structure threat to rural private residences and ranches. as well as Tomhead Lookout and communications infrastructure. There is also a threat to Salmon, spotted Owl and Peregrine Falcon habitat. Fire may impact a Class 1 Airshed within the Yolla Bolla Wilderness.

September 7, 2019 at 8:12 PM

Structure threat to Hamilton Gulch, Buck Camp, and Tomhead Lookout. Evacuation order for residence in Hamilton Glade area.

September 7, 2019 at 9:24 AM

The South Fire located southeast of Tomhead Mountain. Estimated at 1200 acres, an Incident Management Team has been ordered and will be taking control of firefighting efforts in the next 24 hours. Anticipated down-canyon spread to the East and Northeast. Ridgetop winds out of the West to Northwest. May locally gust from 10-20 mph during Saturday night.