News

Regions of Humboldt County are likely to see “Good” to “Moderate” air quality, with some periods of “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” and maybe “Unhealthy” as the Red Salmon Complex and others to the south and east continue to burn.

The fire burning in rugged terrain primarily within the Trinity Alps Wilderness on the Six Rivers National Forest is 26,605 acres and 42 percent contained, according to this morning’s update.

“The high temperatures and lower humidity over the next week will continue to increase fire activity, smoke production, and lead to poor smoke dispersion,” the North Coast Unified Air Quality District news release. “Smoke impacts from these fires are terrain, weather, and fire activity driven."

The Red Salmon Complex, which was started by lightning July 27, is not estimated to be fully contained until Sept. 30.   

In addition to the Red Salmon Complex, the August Complex, North Complex, and LNU Complex and BTU/TGU complexes burning in the counties of Lake, Sonoma, Mendocino, Tehama and Butte remain active and smoke from those fires is expected to make its way to northeaster areas of the region through the weekend and into next week.

Read the full release below:

Smoke impacts today will remain similar to the last two days until the return of southerly winds expected Wednesday night into Thursday.  Smoke produced by the wildfires will begin to effect areas to the northeast, into the interior of Humboldt, Del Norte, and Trinity Counties.  The high temperatures and lower humidity over the next week will continue to increase fire activity, smoke production, and lead to poor smoke dispersion.  Smoke impacts from these fires are terrain, weather, and fire activity driven.    

Several USFS Air Resource Advisors (ARAs) are assigned to fires impacting our area.  These ARA reports provide daily smoke outlook forecasts, which include expected fire behavior and possible planned strategic firing operations in their air quality projections for their assigned fires.

The Red Salmon Complex in Trinity County’s wilderness area is now at 26,605 acres with 42% containment.  Increased fire activity is expected to continue due to weather conditions and strategic firing operations.  The warmer weather and wind direction will determine smoke travel and impacts from all wildfires.   Smoke is expected to linger over the fires and settle into the valleys and river drainages during midday and overnight.

The August Complex, North Complex, and LNU Complex and BTU/TGU Complex Fires in Lake/Sonoma/Mendocino/Tehama/Butte Counties remain active and are producing smoke that will make its’ way to the Northeast through the weekend and into next week.  Updates will be provided as conditions change.

•        Humboldt County - Coastal areas are expected to remain “Good” to “Moderate” with possible periods of “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” overnight.   Southern Humboldt County is expected to see “Good” to “Moderate” with possible periods of “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” possible depending on conditions.  Orleans, Hoopa, Weitchpec, and areas along the river drainages may experience “Good” to “Moderate” with afternoon and overnight periods of possible “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” to “Unhealthy” depending on conditions and proximity to the fire.

•        Trinity County – Weaverville and the surrounding communities are expected to be “Moderate” to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” with periods of “Unhealthy” possible depending on conditions.  Hayfork and surrounding communities are expected to be “Moderate” to “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” with periods of “Unhealthy” possible depending on conditions.

•        Del Norte County – Coastal areas are expected to remain “Good’ to “Moderate” depending on conditions.  The interior of Del Norte County is forecast to see “Good” to “Moderate” with periods of “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” possible depending on conditions and proximity to the fire.