REDDING, Calif. July 2, 2009 - Lightning storms that hit Northern California mid-week causing seven fires on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest are suspected to be the cause of five new fires discovered Thursday for a total of 12 since Wednesday. An additional three possible fires were also reported at sundown Thursday.
"The Trinity Fire is largest, reported to be 180 acres and located about seven miles north of Denny in the Trinity Alps Wilderness," said Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Fire Chief Arlen Cravens on Thursday evening. "All 12 fires are staffed and at first light Friday, smokejumpers are heading to the locations of the three fires reported this evening."
The Trinity Fire located in steep, rugged terrain with heavy fuels is in the area of the 1999 Megram Fire. The Trinity is staffed with 50 elite firefighters consisting of smokejumpers and hotshot crews. Aviation resources on the Trinity Fire Thursday included an air attack plane, helicopter, and two air tankers. On Thursday crews were successful in containing the western flank of the fire.
In order to quickly control and contain the fire, a Type-3 Incident Commander, additional aircraft and hotshot crews will be added Friday to the resources working to suppress the Trinity Fire. "This aggressive initial attack by fire managers and crews will minimize the long-term risk to firefighters and smoke exposure to nearby communities," said Shasta-Trinity National Forest spokesperson Kent Romney.
In addition to the Trinity Fire, four small fires are actively staffed in Trinity County with additional US Forest Service fire crews. The Index, Bird and Canyon Fires are in the vicinity of Denny. The 1/4 acre Murphy Fire is located north of Ruth, just east of Horse Ridge Lookout Road.
Declared "out" are the Buck, Little and Allen Fires which were discovered Wednesday. The Toad, Union, Thompson, and Memorial Fires are all contained.
Fire updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
