Monument Fire - Firefighters scratch line
Credit: USFS

Click here for: California Monument Fire Tuesday, August 17, 2021 Updates

August 17, 2021 - Monument Fire Afternoon Update.

Resources:  911 Total personnel, 12 hand crews, 77 engines, 6 helicopters, 13 dozers, 6 water tenders, 6 masticator

Current Situation:  The fire remained active throughout the night and significant growth occurred to the east and southeast flanks.  Crews were confronted with gusty, northwest winds that continued to transport firebrands ahead of the fire front which supported the increase to 119,280 acres.  The fire remains at 10% contained.  Firefighters combated the spot fires and took aggressive action to defend structures and provide point protection for Junction City and surrounding residences.  The fire spotted north of SR-299, however, crews were able to access the area and get line around the spot fire.

Firefighters continued to hold and patrol existing fire line on the western edge of the fire, continually mopping up smoldering hot spots.

Today, crews will focus their efforts on life safety, defending property and critical infrastructure in communities threatened by fire, specifically in and around Junction City as northwesterly winds are again forecast.  Firefighters will continue to bolster and strengthen new and existing contingency lines and engage in point protection of the values of risk.

Fire on the northwest side of the Trinity River will remain active today as it is expected to continue to back down drainages.  Crews are assessing the fire’s progress and contingency operations are taking place along the Denny Road.

Weather:  Northwest winds will develop over the fire, with gusts up to 35 mph along the ridge tops and up the Trinity River Canyon.  Overnight the winds decreased, but remained gusty along the ridge lines.  Starting at 1pm today, a Red Flag Warning will be in effect over the area and is expected to bring more northwest winds along with hot, dry conditions.

Evacuation Orders:

Oregon Summit west to Junction City is now under an evacuation order.  This includes La Grange Road, Castle Road and Slattery Gulch Road.  Evacuation Orders remain in effect for Sky Ranch Road in Junction City, Red Hill, Canyon Creek, Coopers Bar, Big Bar, Del Loma, Big Flat, Helena, Cedar Flat, Burnt Ranch and Barker Mountain and the areas northwest of Hayfork Summit.

Evacuation Warning: Areas north of SR 3, from Wildwood to Hayfork Summit.

For detailed evacuation information, visit Trinity County Office Sheriff Facebook:
Trinity County Sheriff's Office | Facebook

Evacuation Centers:  American Red Cross Shelters
Shasta College, 1555 Old Oregon Trail, Building 1900, Redding CA
Trinity Valley Elementary School, 730 California 96, Willow Creek, CA 95573

Road Closures:  SR-299 remains closed, from 1.7 miles east of Hawkins Bar at Ammon RD to 2.7 miles west of the west SR 3 junction at Oregon Mountain Summit.

Monitor Caltrans's District 2 website (https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-2)

Animal Evacuation:
Trinity County Animal Shelter, 563 Mountain View St, Weaverville (530- 623-1370) (Domestic)
Hoopa Rodeo Grounds, 1775 Pine Creek Road, Hoopa
Contact-Allie Hostler: 707-492-2851

Property Damage Assessment: Damage assessment teams have confirmed 32 structures have been destroyed. For questions or information regarding the status of your property, call Trinity County Office of Emergency Services (OES) at 530-623-1116.

Forest Closures:  Effective August 7, 2021 through October 31, 2021, the Shasta-Trinity Forest has issued Forest Order No. 14-21-21 Monument Fire Closure. Information on the forest order can be found on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest website.Shasta-Trinity NF