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The U.S. Forest Service announced yesterday that it is closing all roads, trails and land on in the Six Rivers National Forest Lower Trinity Ranger District immediately and indefinitely in an effort to protect the public and firefighters responding to the Six Rivers Lightning Complex Fire.

"Extreme fire behavior and fire perimeter spread are unpredictable, and they pose a serious threat to individuals who are near an uncontrolled fire," states a press release from Six Rivers National Forest. "Aircraft fire suppression tactics such as retardant drops and water buckets also pose a safety risk to the public. The area closure will keep the public out of the fire’s potential pathway, reduce the risk of human-caused fire, allow unobstructed movement of fire suppression personnel, thereby reducing the risk of public injury or death and improving firefighter effectiveness."

Under the emergency closure, only fire personnel are allowed access within the area and forest visitors are encouraged to seek alternative destinations.

Comprised of an estimated 10 to 12 fires initially sparked from 150 lightning strikes in the area on Aug. 5, the Six Rivers Lightning Complex currently consists of five active fires burning to the east and south of Willow Creek. Burning in rugged terrain with deep fuels, the fires have spread to more than 12,000 acres with 0 percent containment, prompting a host of evacuation orders and warnings, and threatening numbs communities.

For a detailed map of the closure area, click here, and find the full press release from Six Rivers National Forest copied below.

Emergency closure on the Six Rivers National Forest

Eureka, California, August 10, 2022— For the purposes of public and firefighter safety, on August 10th, 2022, the Six Rivers National Forest implemented an emergency area closure area for all roads, trails, and land on the Lower Trinity Ranger District in response to the SRF Lightning Complex Fire. The fire closure is necessary to promote public safety in the area impacted by the SRF Lightning Complex Fire. Extreme fire behavior and fire perimeter spread are unpredictable, and they pose a serious threat to individuals who are near an uncontrolled fire. Aircraft fire suppression tactics such as retardant drops and water buckets also pose a safety risk to the public. The area closure will keep the public out of the Fire’s potential pathway, reduce the risk of human-caused fire, allow unobstructed movement of fire suppression personnel, thereby
reducing the risk of public injury or death and improving firefighter effectiveness.

This temporary closure is meant to protect the safety of both firefighters and the public during wildfire suppression and suppression repair efforts. It is unsafe to be near wildfires due to unpredictable changes in wind, rolling fire debris, poor visibility, and narrow roads busy with emergency vehicle traffic. Only fire personnel are allowed to go into or be upon National Forest land within the emergency closure area. Forest visitors are encouraged to seek alternative destinations. As conditions change, the Six Rivers National Forest will continue to update this closure area.

A map of the closure area and a signed copy of the closure area: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/srnf/alerts-notices