Fire crews are hoping for some rain Thursday and Friday help with fighting the many Northern California lightning fires. On the other hand, Flash Flood Watches have been issued for some areas, including around the McKinney and Head Fires in the Happy Camp Complex.
The eleven fires of the 25,500 acre Happy Camp Complex now have overall containment of 45%. 9 structures are gone and more than 1,600 are threatened. There’s been one civilian fatality. Highway 96 is open with some short delays where repair work is being done.
In the Six Rivers National Forest in Del Norte County, the Smith River Complex of fires is 7% contained at more than 79,300 acres, most of it in heavy timber. Last week flames came within about 5 miles of Pelican Bay State Prison in Crescent City. The maximum security prison is on generator power for a second week and the 1,600 inmates have been issued masks to cope with unhealthy air.
In Trinity County northwest of Trinity Lake, the deep fire is 4,186 acres, and 60% contained.
There are dozens of other fires burning in the forests of Northwestern California.