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.

Some heat remains in 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.

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. Dozer line along Backbone Ridge within the Trinity Alps Wilderness should be completed on Monday. Continue to prep structures in Canyon Creek and alternate line to be used should fire progress east of the East Fork and Hobo Gulch Road.

California Interagency IMT 5 returned and was inbriefed on Sunday. Monday will be a shadow day to develop greater situational awareness. Transfer of Command is scheduled for Tuesday at 0600.

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 constructions of contingency line to protect the community of Hayfork. 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 slop-overs and direct attack. Dry conditions will contribute to the potential for spotting and active surface fire. Moderate to high fire intensity is expected in the northern portion of the fire near Big French Creek watershed as light up-drainage winds align with steep slopes to increase fire activity in surface fuels that have already been actively burning.

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 throughout the fire. The possibility of clearing and ventilation is increased from previous burn periods as a south-southwest flow will likely push smoke out of drainages on the southern and western flank. 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 and west of Backbone Ridge.

Observed Weather: A ridge of high pressure across the eastern Pacific weakened across California as a trough of low pressure approached the Pacific northwest coast. This pattern change transitioned transport winds to the southwest through the day which ventilated smoke across Branch 40 by early afternoon and enhanced up-slope and up-canyon flow. Most of Branch 10 remained under smoke most of the day, with afternoon clearing from west to east up the Trinity River basin with the typical up-canyon push.

Ridge top humidity had very poor recovery this morning near 20% and a stronger thermal belt at 4,000 - 5,000 feet where low temperatures ranged in the upper 60s to near 70. Lower elevations had good humidity recovery and low temperatures in the 50s to mid 60s under light terrain driven winds. High temperatures today ranged in the 90s to the 80s in very sheltered drainages. Minimum humidity fell to near 10-25%.

Monday Outlook: Stronger westerly transport winds will bring more smoke ventilation Monday. Enhanced up-canyon flow develops by early afternoon, with stronger ridge gust potential into the evening. Temperatures trend a little cooler, but humidity will remain low. After midnight Monday night, downslope flow develops in sheltered drainages with light up-canyon flow through the Trinity River basin. Good to moderate humidity recovery is expected.