Monday night’s rains were expected to be very beneficial to the fight against the Northwestern California lightning fires. The rain presents a new set of hazards, however, as it can wash away hillsides that have lost the vegetation to hold them together. A Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response Team is assessing the potential for erosion and mudslides. People downstream or downhill from fire damaged areas are urged to be alert.
Most of the fires on the Happy Camp Complex are 100% contained. Crews are still working the 7,600 acre Ufish Fire, which is 75% contained, and the 13,650 acre Elliot Fire, which is 70% contained. The 9 destroyed structures and one civilian fatality in the complex were on the now-contained head fire.
The Pearch Fire east of Orleans is 11,130 acres with 6% containment.
The several fires within the Mosquito Fire Complex have burned a total of 29,300 with overall containment of 6%.
The Smith River Complex in Del Norte County has burned over 94,500 acres with containment of 85%.