The nearby Hirz Fire has now been affecting all of us here now for almost a month. What began as a small fire at the north end of Shasta Lake has now grown into a beast and currently stands at 42,000 acres and 42% contained. Cal Fire and the Forest Service have assured the cities of Dunsmuir, Mt. Shasta and McCloud that we are not in imenent danger and no evacuations have been issued ... so far. There is currently a fire camp setup in McCloud now with approximately 2,500 personnel, more than the entire population of McCloud. I am including some link information for those of you to dive into further but rest assured both the Upper Sacramento River and McCloud River are currently open for fishing and access but be prepared for smoke depending on the wind direction. As a side note the Bollibokka Club dodged a bullet and is back in operation.

Current fire map .... https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/map/6116/0/

Daily status report .... https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6116/

Todays current situation..........

Firefighters worked yesterday and through the night along the west side of the fire from Pollard Flat north to Yellowjacket Mountain to connect all control lines. Crews completed the necessary tactical firing operations to further secure control lines and limit the fire’s westward spread. Firefighters also improved and strengthened the control line from Yellowjacket Mountain east to Squaw Valley Creek with tactical burning operations to hold the fire on the north side.

Warmer and drier conditions will continue today, which when paired with the predicted wind and dry vegetation, could increase fire behavior and activity. With warmer temperatures and cleaner low-lying air, air operations should be able to start early again today to assist with fire suppression efforts.

A priority for firefighters today will be to strengthen and improve control lines along Yellowjacket Mountain and along Squaw Valley Creek. They will focus on conducting firing operations from the northeast corner south to the McCloud River confluence. Crews will also continue holding and securing control lines along the western edge of the fire where successful firing operations to connect adjoining lines have taken place. Firefighters in this area will begin mopping up hot spots along the perimeter and removing hazard trees where possible. The southern and eastern edges of the fire that are contained remain secure, and crews continue to patrol this area to ensure that no hazards or threats exist to compromise containment.