Smith River Complex Grows to 67,000 Acres With 0% Containment

Firefighters have been hard at work battling the Smith River Complex fires that ignited on August 15, 2023, in the rugged terrain of Six Rivers National Forest. The blaze, which was caused by a lightning strike, has consumed a staggering 67,009 acres, and containment remains at 0%. 2,354 personnel, including 9 Type-1 handcrews, are currently working the incident.

The recent thunderstorms that swept through the area provided a mixed blessing. While the lightning strikes sparked additional fires, the resulting deep marine layer contributed to overnight humidity recovery and a reduction in fire behavior. This was further aided by the consistent onshore wind, which created cooler and moister conditions, enabling firefighters to make headway against the inferno for most of the past day.

However, the location of the fire’s perimeter on steep and rugged terrain has presented significant challenges. The strategy to combat the blaze has evolved into an indirect suppression approach. Firefighters are working to construct control lines along roads and ridgelines in an attempt to contain the fire’s spread effectively. This approach, while challenging, has shown promise in previous fires in the area.

A pivotal part of the firefighting operation is the close collaboration with a National Weather Service Incident Meteorologist. Their expertise in providing short and long-term weather forecasts helps guide the timing of crucial burnout operations. One such operation involved the use of an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) equipped with a firing device. This method was employed to slowly bring the fire down from Elk Camp Ridge towards the Pacific Power corridor, strategically aiming to control the western section of the complex before adverse weather conditions potentially worsen in the coming week.

An important achievement was the completion of a fire line from French Hill Road north to Highway 199 by the handcrews. This new line acts as a buffer to protect residences on the south side of Highway 199, including those along French Hill Road, from the main fire’s path.

While progress has been made, challenges persist on the north side of the Smith River Complex. Afternoon winds and drought-stressed vegetation continue to contribute to the fire’s spread. Fire personnel are focusing their efforts on constructing direct and indirect fire lines south and west of Gilligan Butte, installing structure protection systems for local communities and infrastructure, and scouting contingency lines.

The battle against the blaze faces additional hurdles as new fire starts were ignited by Thursday’s thunderstorms. One such lightning-caused fire near the north side of the Smith River Complex was rapidly contained. The firefighting resources from this complex are also providing support for the Grayback Fire near Oregon Caves National Park.

In the days ahead, patchy morning fog and smoky conditions are expected to hinder visibility and limit air operations. However, a slight warming and drying trend, accompanied by moderate afternoon wind gusts, is anticipated to persist at least until Monday.

You can track these fires through our 2023 Wildfire Season partner’s Wildfire Aware app.