Crews make progress on TCC fires

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HOPE — Progress was made to reduce the threat on the south and east sides of Trestle Creek Complex Fire 6, fire officials said Friday.

"This was achieved by utilizing aircraft and crews," Dorothy Harvey, Nevada Incident Command Team 3 public information officer, said. In addition, a masticator — heavy equipment similar to a wood chipper but on a much larger scale — continues creating fuel breaks along the Lightning Creek Road.

Mastication is a fuel reduction treatment method typically used in forest management to reduce the risk of wildfire. In this case, it will be used to reduce the fuel source along the road to slow the ability of the fire from crossing the road and creek.

Trestle 1, 2, 3, and 5 are 100 percent contained. The Trestle 6 fire, which is expected to continue to back down into Lightning Creek and Falls Creek, has burned 400 acres and is 0% contained.

There are a total of 128 personnel assigned to the fire, including seven hand crews and three water tenders. Containment of the fire, which has burned just over 436 acres, is estimated at 31%, Harvey said.

Friday marked Nevada Type 3 Incident Command Team’s last day in charge of the fire and crews will be closing out with the Idaho Panhandle National Forest today, July 24. Oversight for the fire is being turned back to a Type 3 Incident Command team from the Idaho Panhandle National Forest.

Harvey praised the community's support for firefighters battling the fires.

"It has been a pleasure serving the communities around the Trestle Creek Complex," she added. "You have been hospitable to the extreme. The communities and the people in this area are outstanding."

The Trestle Creek Road has been closed just above the Huckleberry Campground and the Lightning Creek Road has been closed just above the junction of Rattle Creek and Lightning Creek roads. The public is reminded to please stay out of these areas and do not go past the closure barriers, Harvey said.