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 from extended and extreme/enhanced drought with influence of steep slopes and winds. Several small, short duration runs, exhibiting moderate fire behavior, occurred late in the burn period yesterday. Activity was associated with partial clearing of smoke and adequate ventilation to allow fire behavior to increase. Flanking and backing fires consumed all surface fuels with moderate flame lengths and rates of spread. Minimal surface wind allowed smoke to remain over the majority of the fire and created a cap which limited fire behavior. Poor overnight relative humidity recovery has been consistent for the past 2 nights.

The Shasta-Trinity National Forest has provided the following priorities: 1. Minimize eastern progression of fire towards Junction City and Weaverville, 2. Reduce impacts of southwestern progression to Hayfork and Hyampom while maintaining access to Hyampom, 3. Minimize impact for values at risk to the northwest side of the fire including Burnt Ranch, Hawkins Bar, Trinity Village, Bell Flat, Daily, and Denny.

Provide structure defense for the communities of Burnt Ranch, Friedrich Road, Hawkins Bar, Trinity Village, Cedar Flat, Underwood Mountain, 9- Mile Bridge, and Bar 717. In the southwest segment of the fire, patrol and mop-up along Corral Bottom Road/47 Road and Prodigy site. Continue direct handline down Haypress Road. Continue developing and improving primary indirect line along Pattison Road to Pattison Ridge, Pattison Peak Road, down through Halfway Ridge and east to Jud Creek tying in at 9- Mile Bridge to connect with the South Zone.

Monitor fire on north side of the Trinity River backing west off of Ironside Mountain. Fire is backing into the confluence of the New and Trinity Rivers. If fire were to become established to the west of the New River, access and resistance to control will be problematic. Spotting has occurred in this area. Patrol and activity within the Highway 299 and Trinity River corridor will be reduced, but resources available to respond if need arises from adjacent divisions.

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. Reinforce indirect line north of the New River from Happy Camp Mountain to the confluence of the Trinity River. Take action on any spots across and west of the New River. Prepare structures along the New River from Five Waters northward towards Denny.

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 of risk to the east. This may include options for direct line to burning out along the East Fork and Hobo Gulch Road and implementing dozer line along Backbone Ridge within the Trinity Alps Wilderness.

Continue building indirect line in the north portion of Division RR and monitor conditions for opportunities to implement firing operations to the east of Sims Gap. Continue mop up and patrol along the south portion of the fire in Divisions NN and RR, north of Hayfork. Continue surging resources to the North Zone as needed to assist with operations.

12 hours: Active fire growth will likely occur in areas where the smoke clears. All fuels remain critically dry and Energy Release Components have increased over the past few days as daytime clearing has allowed fuels to dry out more. High resistance to control is being observed on spot fires and slop-overs. Dry conditions will contribute to the potential for spotting and active surface fire. Moderate to high fire intensity is expected in the north flank of the fire near Big French Creek as light up-drainage winds align with steep slopes to increase fire that had been actively burning in surface fuels.

24 hours: Potential for active fire behavior with high resistance to control is likely in areas where the smoke clears. Predicted winds likely will clear out smoke from the River Complex and increase ventilation on the northern and eastern fringes of the fire. The possibility of clearing and ventilation is reduced from previous burn periods as a south southwest flow will likely push smoke out of drainages. Expect moderate to high fire behavior to develop in areas with established fire in areas that clear out by early afternoon, torching and spotting is expected on the northern flank, mainly the French Creek watershed.