Some evacuations were lifted in Butte County Wednesday for the North Complex of fires in Plumas and Butte Counties. The warnings were lifted for Paradise, Magalia, and Lower Pentz Road. Mandatory evacuations were issued late Sunday for the areas of Pulga, Concow, Big Bend, and Yankee Hill. 2,342 residential and commercial structures have been destroyed, mostly in Berry Creek, Feather Falls and other communities northeast of Lake Oroville. There have been 15 confirmed fatalities and 2 injuries. The 315,000 acre complex is 79% contained.
The north and south zones of the August Lightning Complex have merged together near the Mendocino/Trinity County line. The largest fire in California history now totals 949,100 acres with 47% overall containment. The fire continues to move to the north and to the west with hundreds of miles of fireline. Crews are working on structure protection for Post Mountain, Forest Glen, Ruth Valley and Mad River Valley. Highway 36 remains closed from the junction with Highway 3 on the east to South Fork Mountain Road at South Fork Mountain Summit on the west.
Crews fighting the Red Salmon Complex have battled hard for every inch of containment in the extremely steep and rugged terrain. The fire has been burning since July 27th in the Trinity Alps Wilderness about 8 miles northeast of Willow Creek and has burned 120,200 acres. Containment is estimated at 31%. The Klamath and Six Rivers National Forests are closed to all public use until further notice.
The Slater Fire that started September 8th in the Klamath National Forest is being managed along with the Devil’s Fire. It’s been holding at 154,100 acres, part of it in Oregon. It’s 45% contained. Hundreds of homes have been destroyed in the Happy Camp area, as well as Indian Creek. At least 2 civilians have died.