[env-trinity] Redding.com-Flat Fire in Trinity County grows to 1, 066 acres and 30 percent containment

[Tom Stokely]

http://www.redding.com/news/2012/jul/13/flat-fire-in-trinity-county-grows-to-1066-acres/ 
Flat Fire in Trinity County grows to 1,066 acres and 30 percent containment
By Sean Longoria, Joe Szydlowski

Friday, July 13, 2012

The Flat Fire, burning 30 miles west of Weaverville in Trinity County, had charred 1,066 acres of forest and was 30 percent contained as of 7 p.m. Friday, Shasta-Trinity National Forest officials said.

Crews don't expect to achieve full containment until July 21.

Meanwhile, crews in the Mendocino National Forest continue to battle the Mill Fire, which had grown to more than 23,000 acres Friday. That blaze was 50 percent contained, though officials don't expect full containment until next week.

The Flat Fire, which started Wednesday at the Hayden Flat campground inside Shasta-Trinity National Forest, has spread north and east along the north side of Highway 299.

The fire has not jumped Highway 299, nor has it jumped French Creek, which firefighters feared would allow it to spread even more.

"At this point I don't see that as a likely concern," said Jim Mackensen, public information officer for NorCal Team One, which is coordinating firefighting efforts.

Nearly 50 structures are threatened, though there are no evacuations orders. Mackensen said buildings in Del Loma and at other points on Highway 299 have protection surrounding them.

The fire spread at a moderate rate Friday after climbing to 640 acres Thursday night.

"We didn't even get winds coming up the canyons like we normally do," he said.

"Mother Nature's been giving us a hand."

The fire is around 30 percent contained, mainly near Highway 299, he said.

Dr. Ken Cutler, Trinity County's health officer, issued an alert Friday, advising people to limit outdoor activity because of wildfire smoke. Residents also shouldn't operate fans or air conditioners if they're bringing in smoke from outside, according to the advisory.

Some 159 firefighters had battled the blaze Thursday night, but that was increased to about 395 Friday, Mackensen said.

The fire has cost around $250,000 as of 9:15 p.m. Friday, although Mackensen said the cost is still rising.

On Wednesday evening, Highway 299 was closed because of the nearby wildfire. However, the highway has since come under one-way traffic control, said Denise Yergenson, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Transportation. Delays are expected to be about 30 minutes on Highway 299, Yergenson said. Go to dot.ca.gov/dist2/for updates on road closures in the area.

Mackensen said the highway could face sporadic closures due to mopping-up efforts and falling debris, such as trees and boulders, that's no longer held in place by vegetation.

"Things can come down at any time," he said.

The fire had grown to about 500 acres by 9 a.m. Thursday. The blaze was about 300 acres as of late Wednesday night.

One person suffered minor injuries Wednesday.

Steep terrain is confounding firefighting efforts, according to a Forest Service website.

South of Trinity County, the Mill Fire had consumed around 36 square miles of the Mendocino National Forest and destroyed five outbuildings. Three people suffered injuries, according to The Associated Press.

All roads and trails had been closed in the Stonyford area.

Evacuations were still in effect for Fouts Springs, Bonnie View and Board Camp Springs.

More than 1,500 people were battling that blaze, which broke out a week ago.

It's so far cost $6.1 million damage and suppression, officials said.

Firefighters have seen 40-foot flames as the blaze pushes uphill, according to the Forest Service.

The northern side of the fire has been mopped up, though firefighters are patrolling it.

More than 400 structures are threatened, mostly in Century Ranch. That community lies to the south of the East Park Reservoir, about 3 miles from the Mill Fire's eastern flank.

Drift smoke from the Mill Fire has surrounded Shasta County for about the past week, slightly lowering air quality in the area.

Reporter Sean Longoria contributed to this report.


  © 2012 Scripps Newspaper Group — Online
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