Trestle Creek Complex fire activity increases
A plane drops water on the Trestle Creek Complex fires in mid-July-2021. The fire was one of more than hundreds reported throughout the region, and was one of 10 that required the assistance of an incident management team.
(File photo/DYLAN GREENE)
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HOPE — Rising temperatures and lower humidity are expected to cause an increase in fire activity on the Trestle Creek Complex, fire officials said Thursday.
In addition, the conditions are expected to lead to increased torching and short-range spotting on the fire, located about 4 miles north of Hope. The fire, which has burned 4,080 acres is at 0% containment. All fires in the complex, which were sparked by a July 7 lightning storm, had been contained with the exception of Trestle 6 until a windstorm earlier this month pushed that fire around the others in the complex, nullifying previous containment.
Wednesday's heat saw an increase in fire behavior and strong southwest winds — reaching 20 mph on a sustained level — in the evening further increased activity, said Jess Harvey, public information officer for the Nevada Type 3 Incident Management Team 3 in charge of operations
On the northwest, the majority of fire growth on the end of the Trestle Creek Road area near Quartz Creek was due to spotting.
"We currently have crews working above the Trout Creek Road just below the west side of the ridge fire," Harvey said. "Aircraft have been providing water drops to the spot fires in the southwest and other priority areas to help slow growth. We are continuing to build the fire break line along the western most side of the ridge fire."
Harvey said the northern end of the fire along Trestle Creek saw some spotting and crown runs, moving the fire a little further north. The mastication along the roads and previous preparations showed to be successful in helping slow the movement.
Crews are closely monitoring that and engaging where possible, he added.
Crews have been working the southern-most edge of the fire along Trestle Creek, Harvey said, noting the crews have also been checking the hose lays and pumping systems. Those test will continue in the coming days to ensure everything is ready in case they are needed in the coming days.
With the rough and steep terrain where the fire is located, Harvey said a direct attack is remains unattainable with the resources currently assigned to the fire.
"Therefore, crews are mainly using heavy equipment to construct a contingency line along the south and west sides of the fire and engines to directly attack where possible," he said.
At the request of fire officials, all homes in the current "Ready" evacuation status were moved to "Set" status early Thursday afternoon. The change in status was prompted by a forecast calling shifting winds creating potential for fire movement into those communities.
Affected roads are Rapid Lightning (from Wellington North), Wellington, Vandyke, Trapper Creek, Trapper Creek Spur, Stove, Box Canyon, High, and Rising Hawk Ridge roads, Dragon Drive, Moon Fire Road, Hidden Forest Way, Stellar Drive, Legacy Lane, Ice Creek Forest Lane, Early Breakfast Creek, Barbary Trail, Dads Garden Lane, Snowshoe Ridge, Laid Back Drive, Cross Mountain Road, Holly Berry, Flume Creek Road, Little Flume Creek Road, Dunn Creek Road, Out Of The Woods, Trout Creek Road, Trestle Creek Road, Winds Way, Lightning Ridge Road, Shady Acres Lane, Two Creeks Hollow, Trout Creek Ranch Road, Star Ridge Road, Trestle Creek Lane, Thunder Alley and Char Lane.
Smoky conditions which rolled into the area are due to a change in weather patterns with a majority of smoke coming from large fires west of the area. Residents can go online to fire.airnow.gov get the most up-to-date information on smoke levels in their area.