Incident Location on a Map

August Complex (includes Doe Fire)

938,044 Acres

43%

Contained

Active

Active for 43 days

7 Counties

Mendocino, Humboldt and Colusa

Last Updated09/29/20 9:05 AM
Date Started08/16/20 8:37 PM
Location Information Mendocino, Humboldt, Trinity, Tehama, Lake, & Glenn County
Lat/Long[39.776, -122.673]
Administrative UnitMendocino National Forest, CAL FIRE Mendocino Unit, and CAL FIRE Humboldt-Del Norte Unit
CauseLightning

Status Updates

(Redding, CA) – Wind gusts continue to push the fire west, prompting evacuation orders to the Trinity County line and evacuation warnings in Humboldt County. High winds are forecast throughout the day today, with gusts exceeding 30 miles per hour and potentially accelerating down the west slope of South Fork Mountain, threatening communities to the west and north. The Ruth Valley and Mad River Valley are aligned to funnel the forecast winds and encourage fire spread in these areas. Residents are urged to comply with evacuation orders and to stay out of the area. Many roads are impassable due to fire and fallen trees. The fire remains extremely active; winds are carrying embers well beyond containment lines, and there is high potential for the fire to develop an active plume.

As fire activity increases with the winds and the heat of the day, large smoke columns are expected to form. Like thunderheads, columns build and then collapse. Collapsing columns are extremely dangerous, violently forcing winds outward, carrying fire and live embers far and wide. Extreme conditions are forecast into the evening; the Red Flag Warning is expected to end by 9pm.

Live embers were documented landing 8 miles ahead of the active fire front on Sunday. Spot fires ignited beyond control lines east of Forest Glen, north of State Route 36, and west of South Fork Mountain. The fires advanced to Ruth Lake and to the west side of the lake by afternoon. Crews are responding to the spot fires as conditions permit, working through the night. Firefighters continue to focus on firefighter and public safety, as well as point protection for structures.

New closures include all roads in Van Duzen, Mad River, Ruth, and Hettenshaw areas. Ruth Zenia Road is closed east of the US Forest Service Zenia Guard Station. The closure for State Route 36 now extends from the Humboldt County line on the west to the junction with Bowman Road on the east. New evacuation orders include Mad River, Lower Mad River Road, Zenia, and Kettenpom.

Smoke will likely move back into the region in the next day or two, calming fire behavior. Hot, dry weather will persist with prime conditions for continued fire growth. The winds are presently aiding containment work on the east flank. Crews continue to hold and improve the fireline, preparing for the return of seasonal winds from the southwest.

Trinity County

Evacuation Orders:

  • Ruth and Ruth Lake
  • Forest Glen
  • Post Mountain/Trinity Pines
  • Three Forks
  • Lower Mad River Road
  • Hettenshaw Valley
  • Mad River
  • Zenia and Kettenpom

    • Humboldt County

    Evacuation Warning

    Areas east of Alderpoint Road to the Trinity County border and south of Showers Pass Road to Mountain Creek Humboldt County evacuation information is available online from the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services Facebook page

    Evacuation Information

    Residents are urged to evacuate to the north and west, away from the fire area. The Temporary Evacuation Point for Trinity County is Hayfork Fairgrounds. Evacuees can proceed there to receive hotel accommodation instructions and will be asked to proceed to a hotel for safe, non-congregate sheltering.

    Additional evacuation information for Trinity and Humboldt counties is available from the Red Cross at 530-276-8034

    Road Closures

    All roads on the east side of Ruth Lake and Ruth area roads are closed. All roads in Van Duzen, Mad River, Ruth, and Hettenshaw areas are closed. Ruth Zenia Road is closed east of Hettenshaw Valley. The closure for State Route 36 now extends from the Humboldt County line on the west to the junction with Bowman Road on the east. All Roads within the Trinity Pines/Post Mountain Subdivision remain closed, including Trinity Pines Drive, Rattlesnake Road, Post Mountain Road and all county and private roads within the subdivision.

    Forest Closures: Shasta-Trinity, Mendocino, and Six Rivers National Forests.

    Due to the unprecedented wildfires in California, the Pacific Southwest Region has closed 18 National Forests. The closure has been extended until September 30th. Selected forests have increased access. Specific information is available online:

  • Shasta-Trinity National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/stnf/forestorders
  • Mendocino National Forest:https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mendocino/alerts-notices
  • Six Rivers National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/srnf/alerts-notices

    WEST ZONE ** 116,759 acres and 65% contained***

    CAL FIRE’s unified team and the U.S. Forest Service are engaged in a coordinated and collaborative response to take suppressive action on the August Complex, which has been split into three zones to effectively provide a response for the communities at risk. Due to resource draw down throughout the state, CAL FIRE’s Incident Management Team requested the California National Guard to assist with fire suppression efforts and as a result of CAL FIRE’s request, 138 National Guard personnel are assigned to the incident. Additionally, resources from across the state of California as well as Montana, Idaho, Texas, Washington and New Jersey have been assigned to assist on the August Complex-West Zone. The August ComplexWest Zone has burned 116,759 acres, spans approximately 195 miles of fire line and is 65% contained with more than 1,600 firefighters battling the fire from the air and the ground. Over the last several days, Incident Commanders have been monitoring weather reports and the fire burning in the Yolla-Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness which is part of the August Complex – North Zone. In preparation for the potential impact that the forecasted red flag wind event could have on the fire in the Yolla-Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness, firefighters are working diligently from the air and the ground to strengthen and reinforce containment and control lines. Strong winds pushed the fire from the Yolla-Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness west, southwest towards control lines. Yesterday, the fire continued to be wind driven to the west and southwest prompting evacuation orders and warnings being expanded in Trinity, Humboldt and Mendocino Counties. Firefighters worked in extremely difficult terrain, performing structure defense and constructing both indirect and direct containment line in the Travis Ranch area. Overnight, the fire was extremely active north of Travis Ranch and east of Zenia where firefighters were faced with the fire making uphill terrain driven runs.

    Evacuation Orders, Evacuation Warnings, and Road Closures:

    Humboldt County

    All road closures due to the August Complex West Zone Fire have been lifted. Please use caution when entering areas affected by fire.

    Evacuation Order: NONE

    Evacuation Warnings:

  • Zone HA: Areas east of Bell Springs Road, to Trinity County line and south of Pipe Creek to Mendocino County line.

    Trinity County

    Evacuation Orders:

  • Rural area in the vicinity of Hull Creek Road. Zenia and Kettenpom.
  • Zone TA: North of the Mendocino County line, east of the Humboldt County line, south of Kekawaka Road and west of Zenia Lake Mountain Road.

    • Evacuation Warnings:

    Road Closures: NONE

    Mendocino County

    For the latest road closures and evacuation information in Mendocino County please visit https://tinyurl.com/MendoEvac

    Evacuation Orders:

  • Zone E: South of the county line, east of the National Forest boundary, north of Forest Highway 7 and west of the county line near the M2.
  • Zone E1:North of Mendocino Pass Rd(FH7), east of the Middle Fork of the Eel River, south of Bar Creek, west of Nebo Rock.
  • Zone C: North of the M1, East of the National Forest Boundary, south of Forest Highway 7.
  • Zone B: West of Evacuation Zone A, North of Jack Hollow Creek and Thatcher Creek, East of the Middle Fork of the Eel River, South of Green Lambert Canyon through Bentley Basin to the M1 and South of the M1, to include Timber Ridge, and Bentley Ridge, and Hayshed Basin.
  • Zone A: West of the county line, south of Anthony Peak and North of Hull Mountain.
  • Zone F: East of the National Forest boundary near Garcia Creek, South of Thatcher Creek, west of the County Line and North of the County Line on Hull Mountain.
  • Zone I: West of Elk Creek, South of Deep Hole Creek, North of the National Forest Boundary.
  • Zone J: East of Elk River, north of Deep Hole Creek, east of Eden Valley, south of Thatcher Creek.
  • Zone R: West and south of Mina Road, south of the North Fork of the Eel River, east of the Eel River.
  • Zone P: South of the county line, east of Mina Road north of Hulls Valley Road and west of Hulls Creek.
  • Zone O: South of the county line, east of Hulls Creek, north of Mendocino Pass Road, and west of Williams Creek.
  • Zone Q: South of the County Line, West and North of the North Fork of the Eel River, North and East of Bald Mountain Road.
  • Zone S: South of the County Line, East of Bell Springs Rd, North of Bell Springs Creek and West of the North Fork of the Eel River.

    • Evacuation Warnings:

  • Zone D: South and East of the Eel river, North of Bentley Basin and West of the National Forest Boundary.
  • Zone N: North of the Middle Fork of the Eel River including the Eel River Ranger Station and Black Butte Store, West and South of the National Forest Boundary, East of Williams Creek.
  • Zone U: South of the County Line, east and north of the East Branch of the South Fork of the Eel River, west of Bell Springs Rd.
  • Zone T: South of Bell Springs, east of Bell Springs Rd, north of Iron Peak and Simmerly Rd, west of the Eel River.
  • Zone L: South and West of Mendocino Pass Rd, West of The Middle Fork of the Eel River, north of Eel River Ranch Rd, East of Hill Rd and Short Creek Rd.
  • Zone K: West and North of the Middle Fork of the Eel River, East of Redwine Spring, South of Hill Rd and Eel River Ranch Rd.
  • Zone X: North of Eden Creek, East of Hearst Willits Rd, South and West of the Eel River.
  • Zone G: West of the County Line, North of the Eel River and Van Aresdale Reservoir, East of the Eel River, South of the National Forest Boundary.
  • Zone H: West of the National Forest boundary, north of Thomas Creek and the Eel River, east of Twin Bridges Creek, south of Bald Mountain.
  • Zone W: West of the Eel River, north of Deep Hole Creek, east of Eden Valley including the entire valley floor, south of Eden Creek.
  • Zone AB: South of the Middle Fork of the Eel River, west of Eden Creek, north of Salt Flat and east of Salt Creek
  • Zone AC: East of Brushy Mountain, south of the fire road on Salt Flat, west of Eden Valley and north of Bald Mountain
  • Zone AD: South and west of the Eel River, north of Foster Mountain Road, east of the ridge west of Willits Road
  • Zone AE: North of Twin Bridges Creek, east of the Eel River, south of Brushy Creek and west of Brushy Mountain
  • Zone AN: South of Highway 162 and the Eel River, west of Salt Creek, north of Brushy Creek and the Eel River, east of Highway 162.
  • Zone AQ: North of the Eel River, south and east of Highway 162, west of Redwine Spring
  • Zone V:East of Eel river, south of East Fork of Asbill Creek, west of Tank Creek, north of the Covelo Valley Floor and Alder Creek and Tin Cabin Creek.

    • Road Closures:

  • Hearst Willits Road at the Eel River Bridge
  • Mendocino Pass Road at Murphy Creek (private road) (barricade only)
  • FH7 (Mendocino Pass Rd.) and M1 (Indian Dick Rd.) at the Eel River.

    • LAKE COUNTY

    Evacuation Order:

  • All areas north of Pack Saddle Creek, west of Lake County line and east of the Lake County line. Pillsbury Ranch Area, to include: North of M-1, south of Lake County line, west of Bloody Rock and east of the Lake County line.

    • Evacuation Warning: None

    Evacuation Centers:

    Mendocino County

    Covelo High School, 76280 High School Street, Covelo, Ca

    Trinity County

    Southern Trinity High School Located at 600 Van Duzen Road

    Humboldt County:

    Contact the Humboldt County Fire Information Line at 707-268-2500 to be connected with assistance related to wildfire displacement.

    Road Closures: For updated road closure information visit: https://humboldtgov.org/evacmap and https://tinyurl.com/MendoEvac

    Animal Evacuation Centers

    Small Animals: Ukiah Animal Shelter 298 Plant Rd. Ukiah, CA 95482

    Small and Large Animals: Round Valley Rodeo Grounds 22830 S. Airport Rd. Covelo, CA

    Damages and Losses

    Confirmed Damage to Property, Injuries, and Fatalities

    5 Structures Damaged

    Residential, Commercial and Other

    51 Structures Destroyed

    Residential, Commercial and Other

    Cooperators & Personnel

    CAL FIRE often partners with other agencies during extended emergency incidents.

    4 Agencies

    Partner Federal, State and Local Agencies

    1602 Personnel

    Total Fire Personnel Assigned

    30 Crews

    Number of Crews Assigned

    Contact Information

    West Zone - Information Line:
    (707)355-4926
    North Zone - Information Line:
    (530)628-0039
    South Zone - Information Line:
    (530)487-4602
    Incident Website:
    www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents
    Evacuation Map:
    https://tinyurl.com/MendoEvac
    Email Sign Up:
    https://tinyurl.com/calfire-signup

    Agency Information

    Mendocino National Forest
    825 N. Humboldt Ave. Willows, CA 95988
    530-640-1168
    CAL FIRE Mendocino Unit
    CAL FIRE Humboldt Del Norte Unit
    Inciweb Incident Map

    Resources Assigned

    CAL FIRE owns and operates over 3,000 fire and emergency response and resource protection vehicles. In support of its ground forces, the CAL FIRE emergency response air program includes 23 Grumman S-2T 1,200 gallon airtankers, 11 UH-1H Super Huey helicopters, and 14 OV-10A airtactical. From 13 air attack and nine helitack bases located statewide, aircraft can reach most fires within 20 minutes.

    17 Helicopters

    162 Engines

    28 Dozers

    37 Water Tenders