U.S. Forest Service

The Forest Service is hiring! For all of the details about available positions on the Mendocino National Forest, please see: https://tinyurl.com/y6l9e69n. Candidates need to apply on usajobs.gov/

The power is back on at the Upper Lake Ranger District office.

As the BAER crews continue their work, a bobcat saunters by checking on their progress. Credit US Forest Service by Louis Browning

Mendocino National Forest Veteran’s day observance WILLOWS, Calif. Nov. 9, 2020 All Mendocino National Forest offices (virtual services), including the Chico Seed Orchard, will be closed on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11. Offices will resume virtual services at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12. Fire and law enforcement staff will be on duty to provide for public safety; our staffing includes many veterans who have chosen a Forest Service career following their military servi...ce. A big thank you to all Vets from your friends at the Mendocino National Forest. Remember that the August Complex fire area closure is still in effect and that Forest Highway 7 is not open to through traffic from Willows to Covelo. For information about the Mendocino National Forest, including current fire closure area, Christmas Tree Permits (mail only / no walk-ins) and firewood permits, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino/ and on Facebook: https:/www.facebook.com/MendocinoNF ###

#AugustComplexSouthZone update 11.8.2020 August Complex South Zone reaches 99% Containment WILLOWS, Calif. Nov. 8, 2020 Crews on the South Zone of the August Complex completed an additional 6.7 miles of fireline repair Saturday. This effort combined with recent precipitation contributed to an increase in containment to 99%. The South Zone remained at 499,827 acres. ... Crews continued fire suppression repair operations around the M4 and M2 roads, Gloyd Slide, Mill Creek and Mendocino Pass. Rehabilitation work included obliterating berms, providing drainage to prevent erosion, stabilizing landslide prone areas, and repairing roads damaged during suppression activities. In addition, crews completed repair of the Oak Flat Campground, which was used by crews as a spike camp, and it is re-opened to the public. The transition of command of the South Zone (Coots IMT) to the Mendocino National Forest district fire managers is scheduled for Monday. Fire suppression repair work is slated to continue until winter weather prevents operations. WEATHER: Cold conditions are expected to continue, with widespread sub-freezing temperatures expected across the fire area Sunday night. The daytime temperature will be 45 to 55 at lower elevations and 38 to 45 above 3000 feet, with humidity ranging from 25 to 35%. The wind will be 10 to 15 mph out of the north, gusting to 25 mph. CLOSURES: Forest Highway 7 remains closed to public traffic from Willows to Covelo. Also, Order No. 08-20-14 is in effect for the Mendocino National Forest. Private properties accessed via a Forest System road may require a permit from the USDA Forest Service. Please contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316 for more information. FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Although fire restrictions have expired on the Mendocino National Forest, officials urge everyone to be cautious with campfires. Never leave a fire unattended and ensure your campfire is dead out before departing the area. One less spark, One less wildfire. For more incident information please see InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6983 USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. Photo: Engine crews working to re-stabilize the Gloyd Slide Credit Matt Nourmohamadian US Forest Service

#AugustComplexSouthZone Suppression repair work continues and cold weather has come to higher elevations of the South Zone. Acreage is still at 499,826 and containment has increased to 98% Credit US Forest Service by Daron Jackson and Josh Tracy

Here is a new cement sack retaining wall to replace the M4 wooden retaining wall that burned in the August Complex. The cement bags have rebar pounded through them and then as they get wet, the cement sets and the bag deteriorates. The wall is one mile past the M4/M2 junction. Thank you OC crew and everybody else who worked on this great repair project! #BAER #AugustComplex Pretty cool

If you are planning to travel in the August Complex burned area, always maintain situational awareness for potential fire hazards such as fire weakened trees, falling limbs, stump holes, rolling rocks, etc. Also, if you are traveling on M2 and/or M4, please drive with caution and watch for logging trucks in this area.

An example of some of the fire suppression repair activities that have been taking place on the August Complex South Zone

#AugustComplexSouthZone update 11.6.2020 Cold weather impacts August Complex South Zone WILLOWS, Calif. Nov. 6, 2020 A new weather pattern has occurred on the South Zone of the August Complex after a month of unseasonably warm conditions. The temperature dropped 30 degrees overnight at Mendocino Pass with a dusting of snow. After Thursday’s shift, the South Zone remained at 499,826 acres and 97 percent containment. ... There are 260 personnel working on the August South Zone Complex. Crews are continuing to focus on fire suppression repair in priority areas around the Sanhedrin Wilderness, wild and scenic river corridors, Mill Creek, Eel River and in locations that are prone to landslides along key forest travel routes. Crews completed 6.5 miles of suppression repair Thursday. WEATHER: Cold conditions, gusty winds, and scatted showers are expected Friday. The temperature will be 45 to 55 at lower elevations and 40 to 50 above 3000 feet, with humidity ranging from 50 to 60%. The wind will be 12 to 18 mph out of the W, gusting to 30 mph. Precipitation will be up to 0.10. Colder weather with a chance of precipitation is likely to remain through the weekend. CLOSURES: Forest Highway 7 remains closed to public traffic from Willows to Covelo. Also, Order No. 08-20-14 is in effect for the Mendocino National Forest. Private properties accessed via a Forest System road may require a permit from the USDA Forest Service. Please contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316 for more information. FIRE RESTRICTIONS: In the interest of the safety of firefighters and visitors to the national forests in the Pacific Southwest Region, fire restrictions were extended to November 6 to prevent further fires from being started and overtaxing the resources of those fighting existing wildfires. Please be extra cautious with any activity that could spark a fire. One less spark, One less wildfire. For more incident information please see InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6983 Photo: Heavy equipment repair work on the South Zone, Credit US Forest Service by Ben McLane

#AugustComplexSouthZone Oak regrowth on M1 north of Eel River. The land knows how to respond to fire. Credit US Forest Service by Ben McLane

#AugustComplexSouthZone Preparing for the rain post-fire Wildfire increases the potential for post fire flooding, soil erosion, and debris flows that could impact campgrounds, fishing areas, homes, structures, roads, and other infrastructure within, adjacent to, and downstream from the burned areas.... The public and communities adjacent to and downstream from burned areas should expect the potential for increased flooding and debris flows. See more

Incident Meteorologist Dan Harty gives an update about the weather affecting the South Zone of the August Complex

#AugustComplexSouthZone update 11.4.2020 Containment increases on August Complex South Zone WILLOWS, Calif. Nov. 4, 2020 Crews are making good progress on fire suppression repair across all areas of the South Zone of the August Complex. The hard work of fire personnel is paying off keeping the South Zone at 499,826 acres and increasing containment to 97%. The entire August Complex is estimated at 1,032,649 acres and 93% containment. ... As the August Complex nears full containment, incident management personnel are beginning to plan for a smooth transfer of responsibility back to local forest leadership. There are 273 personnel working on the South Zone. Crews are continuing to focus on fire suppression repair in priority areas around the Sanhedrin Wilderness, in wild and scenic river corridors in the Mill Creek area, and in locations that are prone to landslides along key forest travel routes such as the M1 and M6 roads. Additionally, progress is being made on opening roadways and removing hazard trees to allow for further suppression repair activity throughout the forest. WEATHER: Higher humidity will prevail Wednesday, but afternoon temperatures will continue to be well above normal. The temperature will be 76 to 84 at lower elevations and 65 to 74 above 3000 feet, with humidity ranging from 23 to 33%. Winds will increase to 7 to -12 mph out of the NW, gusting to 18 mph A low-pressure system will bring significantly colder temperatures and increased chance of precipitation beginning Friday and continuing through the weekend CLOSURES: Order No. 08-20-14 is in effect for the Mendocino National Forest. Private properties accessed via a Forest System road may require a permit from the USDA Forest Service. Please contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316 for more information. FIRE RESTRICTIONS: In the interest of the safety of firefighters and visitors to the national forests in the Pacific Southwest Region, fire restrictions were extended to November 6 to prevent further fires from being started and overtaxing the resources of those fighting existing wildfires. Please be extra cautious with any activity that could spark a fire. One less spark, One less wildfire. For more incident information please see InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6983 Photo: Completed repairs on dozer line in South Zone, Credit US Forest Service by Ben McLane.

#AugustComplexSouthZone Repair work continues on August Complex South Zone WILLOWS, Calif. Nov. 2, 2020 Crews are working against time and unseasonable conditions to complete fire suppression repair across the South Zone of the August Complex before winter weather sets in. The South Zone continues to hold at 499,826 acres and 90% containment. The entire August Complex is estimated at 1,032,649 acres and 93% containment. ... The August Complex is approximately 70 miles long by 45 miles wide, covering an area larger than the entire state of Rhode Island. That includes portions of seven counties across six different fire weather forecasting zones. There are 264 personnel working on the South Zone. Crews are focusing on fire suppression repair in priority areas such as dozer lines around wilderness, in wild and scenic river corridors and locations that are prone to landslides. Repair is nearly complete in the Gloyd Slide area where there was risk of severe erosion and possible collapse of a segment of the M6 Road and repair is complete in the Sanhedrin Wilderness. WEATHER: High pressure remains over the west coast producing very dry and warm conditions for the fire area. Afternoon temperatures will top out at 15 degrees above normal. The temperature will be 77 to 85 at the lower elevations and 69 to 77 at higher elevations, humidity from 9 to 15% and southwest wind 4 to 8 mph. A significant pattern change is expected by Friday with much cooler weather. CLOSURES: Order No. 08-20-14 is in effect for the Mendocino National Forest. Private properties accessed via a Forest System road may require a permit from the USDA Forest Service. Please contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316 for more information. FIRE RESTRICTIONS: In the interest of the safety of firefighters and visitors to the national forests in the Pacific Southwest Region, fire restrictions were extended to November 6 to prevent further fires from being started and overtaxing the resources of those fighting existing wildfires. Please be extra cautious with any activity that could spark a fire. One less spark, One less wildfire. For more incident information please see InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6983

#AugustComplexSouthZone incident map. 11.1.2020 There are 264 personnel assigned to the South Zone of the August Complex.

#AugustComplexSouthZone Work continues on the August Complex. Using a chipper to remove brush and debris near roads.

#AugustComplexSouthZone Please be advised, FH7 from Willows to Covelo is not open to through traffic.