The fire remains squarely within the 2008 Buckhorn, Eagle, Miners and Cedar Fire footprints. Type converted brush and a heavy dead and down component dominate most areas. Fuels to the north of Hayfork are characterized as

widely spaced mixed conifer and grass. All live fuels are cured to levels normally seen in late September.

Fire is fuels driven resulting out of extended and extreme drought with influence of steep slopes and winds. Dry, breezy conditions from upper level winds from the Northeast brought active fire behavior to the incident. The northeast winds resulted in lower relative humidities, some areas of clear air with increased solar radiation, and new areas of the fire exposed to winds. Consistent fire spread was observed in all fuel types, but accelerated in lighter fuels with a southwest exposures. Limited overnight fire growth was observed as north winds provided mechanism for southward movement towards Hayfork. Elsewhere, fire progression was mostly seen in steeper terrain where backing fire and roll-out allowed the fire to make steady progress. Fire has been chunking away under a cap of smoke and concern exists for increased activity when the cap is removed.

Provide structure defense for the communities of Burnt Ranch, Friedrich Road, Cedar Flat and Underwood Mountain.

Patrol and mop-up previous firing operations from Highway 299 to DP 59. Patrol and mop-up previous firing operations from DP 59 south to the intersection of the 60 Road and the 47 Road. Defend structures along Corral Bottom Road/47 Road and prodigy site.

Monitor fire on north side of the Trinity River around Ironside Mountain. Patrol and secure current fire line around structures within the communities of Don Juan Point east through Big Flat along the Highway 299 corridor. Continue to keep Ironside Mountain Lookout Road open from Ironside Lookout

to Highway 299. Monitor the west side of the New River drainage for any spot fires. Scout for opportunities for indirect line north of the New River from Happy Camp Mountain to the confluence of the Trinity River. Prepare structures along the New River from Five Waters northward.

Provide structure defense for the communities from Helena east through Junction City and north along Canyon Creek and the East Fork of the North Fork Trinity River. Finish handline from Canyon Creek west to indirect dozer line along ridges around Helena. Continue to prep structures in Canyon Creek. Evaluate options for managing fire to keep from progressing east of the East Fork of the North Fork and impacting values at risk to the east.

Hold, mop-up, and patrol fire lines from the Trinity River south to Hocker Meadow. Prep and secure all structures west of Dutch Creek Road. Verify contingency lines north of Highway 3 from Jordan Road to Maxwell Creek Road. Continue firing operations as approved by Operations Section Chief.

Continue with direct, indirect, and contingency line construction and contingency planning. Continue structure protection and working with cooperators to ensure public safety.

12 hours: Expect active fire growth under the influence of critically dry fuels with influence of northwesterly flow. High resistance to control. Dry conditions will contribute to the potential for spotting and rapid, uphill runs. Predominant fire spread is anticipated in well aligned drainages on the north side of the Trinity River and from the eastern perimeter towards Junction City. Southern growth will threaten Hayfork, as western progression impacts Burnt Ranch and the New River drainage. Within the New River drainage there is potential for slope reversal and progression to the west.

24 hours: Active fire behavior with high resistance to control. Expect burn periods to expand with increased ventilation. Anticipate consistent, but lighter NW winds to develop during the entire burn period to steer established, deep seated fire mostly west along the 299 corridor towards Burnt Ranch and the New River drainage, and south towards Hayfork.

Increase in personnel is due to a more complete capture of CAL FIRE resources.

Observed Weather: Heavy smoke laid over the Monument fire for much of today's burn period as North winds brought smoke from the River Complex and McCash fires into the region. The smoke stabilized the fire environment,

keeping temperatures slightly cooler with higher humidity values where smoke prevailed through the afternoon. Highs mid 70s to mid 80s with afternoon humidity 20-30%. Northerly winds kept smoke plumes pushing southward while winds at the surface remained fairly light.

Forecast Weather: Smoke will lay over the fire again tonight with stable and quiet weather as winds ease. Humidity recovery will be moderate from 45-65% most locations with temperatures in the mid 50s to mid 60s overnight.

On Friday the forecast calls for some West winds in the afternoon that should start to clear the air across the West side of the fire in Division A and E. As the

inversion breaks Friday afternoon fire activity may increase but heavy smoke over the eastern portions of the fire will prevail. Highs in the mid 80s with minimum humidity 15-25%. West winds 5-10 mph gusts 15 mph.

The fire is burning in the 2008 Cedar Fire, Eagle Fire, Miner's Fire, and Buckhorn Fire burn scars. The predominant fuel type is converted brush. Heavy dead and downed components are dominant in most areas. All live fuels are cured to levels normally seen in late September. Fuels are extremely receptive to spotting.

Despite residual smoke shading and high clouds, a warm, dry, and windy air mass at the surface supported steady fire spread in all fuel types. Fire growth was primarily a function of aggressive surface fire, rapid uphill runs, and roll-out due to steep, complex terrain. Continued ventilation provided new growth opportunities along the Hayfork Divide towards Hayfork. Eastward expansion continued with strong winds from the NW during the day.

Provide structure defense for the communities of Burnt Ranch, Friedrich Road, Cedar Flat and Underwood Mountain. Patrol and mop-up previous firing operations from highway 299 to DP 59.

Patrol and mop-up previous firing operations from Highway 299 to DP 59. Patrol and mop-up previous firing operations from DP 59 south to the intersection of the 60 Road and the 47 Road. Defend structures along Corral Bottom Road/47 Road and prodigy site.

Monitor fire on north side of the

Trinity River around Ironside

Mountain.

Patrol and secure current fire line around structures within the communities of Don Juan Point east through Big Flat along the

Highway 299 corridor. Continue to

keep Ironsides Mountain Lookout

Road open from Ironsides Lookout

to Highway 299. Monitor the west side of the New River drainage for any spot fires. Provide structure defense for the communities from Helena east through Junction City and north along Canyon Creek and the East Fork of the North Fork River. Scout for opportunities for indirect line north of the New River from Happy Camp Mountain to the confluence of the Trinity River. Prepare structures along

the New River from Five Waters northward.

Provide structure defense for the communities from Helena east through Junction City and north along Canyon Creek and he

East Fork of the North Fork of the Trinity River. Finish handline from Canyon Creek west to indirect dozer line along ridges around Helena. Continue

to prep structures in Canyon Creek.

Hold, mop-up, and patrol fire lines from the Trinity River south to Hocker Meadow. Prep and secure all structures west of Dutch Creek Road. Verify contingency lines north of Highway 3 from Jordan Road to Maxwell Creek Road. Prep and secure all structures west of Dutch Creek Road. Continue

firing operations as approved by

Operations Section Chief.

South Zone Planned Operations: Continue with direct, indirect, and contingency line construction. Continue structure protection and working with cooperators to ensure public safety.

12 hours: With steady NW winds, fire behavior will remain active due to poor relative humidity recovery. The contribution of fine fuels to fire spread will remain throughout the burn period. Wind flow will steer established, deep-seated fire both west and south along the 299 corridor towards the New River drainage and Hayfork.

24 hours: Expect active burning as typical August heat maintains long burn periods and fully returns the contribution of fine fuels to fire spread. Returning NW wind flow will again steer established, deep seated fire mainly east and south along the

299 corridor towards Junction City and Hayfork. Expect spread towards Ironside Mountain towards the New River drainage into the overnight hours.

Red flag warning in effect until 8 pm, Wednesday, for shifting northeast winds strong gusts through sunset. High temperatures on the fire today remained in the upper 60s across southern divisions that were under heavy smoke as the main plume from the River Complex laid over the Monument Fire. Areas on the east side near Junction City that saw more sunshine warmed into the mid 80s with minimum humidity lowering into the mid teens.

Forecast: For Wednesday night the main forecast challenge will be continued northeast winds, especially on the ridges that will be adverse to the line in Division A and Z.

For Thursday the general wind flow will remain from the Northeast but wind speeds are forecast lighter than previous days. Smoke from the River Complex and McCash Fire will

likely continue to linger over the Monument Fire keeping interior portions of the fire

covered in smoke and stable. High temperatures upper 60s thick smoke to mid 80s elsewhere. Afternoon humidity 15-25%.