Incident Update McFarland Fire

Date:
08/23/2021
Time:
9:10 PM

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
118,090
Containment
68%
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 118,090 acres and 68% contained.  U.S. Forest Service - Shasta-Trinity National Forest and CAL FIRE Tehama-Glenn Unit remain in unified command of the fire.


Today, temperatures were in the low 80s and relative humidity dropped to the upper 20s. Winds developed out of the southeast with gusts in the upper teens this afternoon. Crews continued to work in north and northwestern perimeter performing back haul and adding water bars to help prevent erosion during the winter rain. In Beegum Gorge, crews continued careful burning operations to bring fire down from Noble Ridge toward Beegum Creek. Dozer line is in place at the ridgetop and plumbed with hose. 

The fire continues to back down toward Beegum Creek and helicopters were utilized today to keep the fire in check. All fire line along Highway 36 remains in mop up and patrol status. To the south there were some smokes in the interior, but all lines are holding. And in the wilderness area heat remains but not progressing. The fire on Tomhead Mountain is lined and mop up on the perimeter continues. Additional contingency dozer lines were constructed today north of Highway 36.

Road Closures

Hwy 36 is closed from Harrison Gulch to Vestal Road. For current road information visit quickmap.dot.ca.gov 

Tehama County Evacuations

EVACUATION ORDERS: The area west of Vestal and Weemasoul Roads to the Shasta/Tehama County line and south of Highway 36 in the fire area. EVACUATION WARNINGS: Hwy 36W from Bowman Road west to the county line and north to the Shasta County line (Zone 157). The area south of Hwy 36, east of Vestal and Weemasoul Roads, north of Pettyjohn, and west of Cottonwood Creek and Vestal Roads in the 4 corners area (Zones 158 and 169). Please click here to view the map for Tehama County: https://tinyurl.com/Evacuation-and-Road-Closure

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:

The USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region has announced a temporary closure of nine National Forests for public and firefighter safety. This includes the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. This closure will be effective through September 6, 2021 at 11:59 p.m., and may be reassessed as conditions change. The full closure order and closure map are available at https://go.usa.gov/xF7EM.

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
73
Water Tenders
20
Helicopters
7
Dozers
14
Hand Crews
13
Total Personnel
813

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