Incident Update McFarland Fire

Date:
08/20/2021
Time:
8:41 AM

Incident Facts

Name
McFarland Fire
Start Date/Time
2021-07-30
Incident Status
Active
Location
McFarland Ridge and Baker Flat, west of Platina
Type
Fire
Cause
Counties
Shasta
Administration Unit
Unified Command: Shasta-Trinity National Forest, CAL FIRE Tehama-Glenn Unit
Unified Command Agency(s)
Size
115,996
Containment
52%
Structures Threatened
Structures Destroyed
Structures Damaged
Civilian Injuries
Firefighter Injuries
Civilian Fatalities
Firefighter Fatalities

Current Situation

Situation Summary

Current Situation:

The McFarland Fire is currently mapped at 115,996 acres and is 52% contained.

Winds picked up overnight pushing the fire in Beegum Gorge toward Highway 36 in a few places. Crews worked in that area to keep the fire south of the highway, but several spot fires were detected over the road. All spots were lined overnight, but crews today will watch carefully to ensure that no heat remains.

Today, crews will continue to prioritize structure protection in Beegum Gorge and Platina, and in keeping the fire on the south side of Highway 36. There will be continuing mop up on the eastern edge of the fire, where it is being held on the Vestal and Weemasoul Roads.

On the south end of the fire, crews will continue to work directly on the fire’s edge as possible where the fire has reached the boundary of the Yolla Bolly Wilderness, while also looking for opportunities to build indirect lines in that area.

The fire near Tomhead Mountain was determined to be a new fire, not a spot fire from the McFarland. Crews from the McFarland Fire will hold and improve line around that fire today.

The weather today is expected to be similar to yesterday, with light, terrain-driven winds pushing up canyon during the heat of the day. Gusty winds will likely surface again in the early evening, bringing with them the potential to push the fire to the southeast.

The U.S. Forest Service and CAL FIRE remain in unified command of the McFarland Fire.

Road Closures

Hwy 36 is closed from Hwy 3 to Bowman Road.
For current road information visit quickmap.dot.ca.gov

Tehama County Evacuations

North of Pettyjohn Road to Hwy 36W and west of the intersection of Hwy 36W and Bowman Road to the Tehama/Trinity County line is under evacuation ORDER. North of Bowman Road and Hwy 36W west of Luce Griswold to the Tehama/Trinity County line is under evacuation WARNING. https://www.facebook.com/tehamadsa

Shasta County Evacuations

The Shasta County Sheriff's Office has issued a mandatory evacuation ORDER for all residents within the township of Platina. The evacuation order includes all residences and roadways from the Trinity/Shasta County line east to the Shasta/Tehama County line. Residents are encouraged to use Platina Road as an evacuation route. There will be a temporary evacuation site at the Igo/Ono Elementary School. https://www.facebook.com/ShastaSheriff

FOREST CLOSURE IN EFFECT FOR MCFARLAND FIRE AREA:

All residents and visitors are reminded that the Shasta-Trinity National Forest has issued a closure order for the McFarland Fire, located in Trinity, Tehama and Shasta Counties. The order, Forest Order 14-21-22 (McFarland Fire Closure Order) was issued to protect public health and safety. Please check the Shasta Trinity National Forest Webpage under Alerts and Notices for the order and the map.

Forest visitors are reminded that fire restrictions remain in effect prohibit building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire.

For more information please visit:
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7746 
CAL FIRE: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/
Twitter: @ShastaTrinityNF/ @CALFIRETGU
Facebook: @ShastaTrinityNF/ CAL FIRE Tehama-Glenn Unit
Email: 2021.mcfarland@firenet.gov
Fire Information Line: (530) 330-4048 (8am-8pm daily) 

Assigned Resources

Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the State are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow.

Engines
57
Water Tenders
22
Helicopters
6
Dozers
15
Hand Crews
12
Total Personnel
728

Cooperating Agencies

Name Phone Address URL
Shasta-Trinity National Forest (530) 226-2500 https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7746/
CAL FIRE Tehama-Glen Unit https://twitter.com/CALFIRETGU