By Chris Durant
The Eureka Times-Standard
Copyright 2007 Times - Standard
All Rights Reserved
EUREKA, Calif. — Firefighters are preparing for possible flare ups in the Elk Complex Fire as the cooler, wetter weather they’ve experienced over the past few days gives way to warmer temperatures and drier conditions.
“The weather forecast is for drier conditions and increasing temperatures,” said Duane Lyon with the National Forest Service. “We do expect the fires to flare up again.”
The Elk Complex includes more than 30 fires, that so far have scorched more than 8,000 acres since being started by lightening on July 10.
The Little Grider Fire, which has burned about 1,300 acres, is a priority for firefighters and is where they really took advantage of the wetter weather, officials said.
“The rain gave them the chance to aggressively go after more fire line construction,” Lyon said.
Four miles of hand and dozer lines were constructed around the Little Grider Fire over the last couple days.
Other larger fires include the King Creek II, which has burned nearly 2,800 acres and the Titus Fire, which has burned about 2,000 acres.
The fire is 18 percent contained with full containment expected July 29.