Eureka Times Standard (California)
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Warming trend is expected next week
Firefighters persisted Saturday in the battle against a series of blazes sparked by lightening last month with aerial ignition efforts continuing and crews staying cautious of the possibility of changing weather conditions.
The Bar Complex in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest near Denny is 30 percent contained and has burned more than 13,000 acres.
The latest report shows crews are improving the trail system to allow firefighters to cross into the area and fall snags along the westside of the fire.
There were pretreatment operations with fire retardant being dropped along the ridge-tops in the Slide Creek area and firefighters continued holding the south and southwestern ends of the Bake-Oven fires.
The fire service said a strong wind shift from the north was anticipated and crews were being cautious of the possibility of quickly changing weather conditions.
At the Uncle Complex, efforts were continuing on two large fires — the Uncles and the Hancock — in the Marble Mountain Wilderness Area. An infrared imagery flight showed those had gained a minor amount of acreage. Another fire, the Rush, is burning in the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area.
A total of more than 10,450 acres have burned with the fire 35 percent contained. Initial attacks on new fires continues to be a priority, according to reports.
A warming trend is forecast for early next week.
No new starts were reported at the Happy Camp Complex.
The Titus Fire showed some activity, but did not increase in size. An additional helicopter was expected Saturday and crews are continuing to line construction around the fire while attack crews are ready to respond to the discovery of any new lightning-strike fires.
The Happy Camp Complex currently consists of 15 fires that have burned 3,757 acres. Of those 15, the Titus and Potter fires are staffed. The rest are being monitored.
No new reports were available for the Orleans Complex Fire which was 25 percent contained having burned more than 8,450 acres.