Hot weather, tough terrain hamper fire crews' efforts
CAROLINE LOBSINGER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 1 month AGO
A photo taken last week of the Trestle Creek Complex fires.
(Photo courtesy of MARY FRANZEL)
I grew up in the Tri-Cities, Wash., and have always loved to write. I attended the University of Washington, where I earned a double major in journalism and political science, with an area of emphasis in history. I am the fifth out of six kids — don't believe any of the stories that my siblings tell. To be able to tell others stories and take photos for a living is a dream come true — and I considered myself blessed to be a community journalist. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, hiking and spending time outdoors, genealogy, reading, and watching the UW Huskies and the Seattle Seahawks. I am a servant to my cat, Frankie, who yes, will eat anything and everything in sight … even wedding cookies. | July 14, 2021 1:00 AM
HOPE — Hot, dry weather combined with poor overnight recovering is continuing in the region.
Those conditions, as well as tough terrain, is complicating fire crews efforts on the Trestle Creek Complex fires.
Trestle Fire 6 has been backing down toward Lightning Creek and has the potential for growth to the top of Falls Creek, Dorothy Harvey, a public information officer for Battle Mountain District for the Bureau of Land Management in Nevada.
"Crews are being forced by heavy brush, understory and difficult terrain to mainly focus on indirectly combating [the] fire," she said.
Toward that, fire crews are working to contain the fire west of Lightning Creek.
However, Trestle fires 1 and 3 are being contained to the east of Trestle Ridge, Harvey said.
Trestle 1 has burned 27 acres and is 50% contained. Trestle 2 is about an acre in size and is 90% contained. The Trestle 3 has burned 8 acres and is 100% contained. The Trestle 5 fire is about a quarter-acre in size and is 20% contained.
The largest of the fires in the complex is the Trestle 6, which has burned 210 acres and is 0% contained due to its terrain making it difficult for firefighters to access.
The fire is being overseen by a Nevada Type 3 incident management team. There are five hand crews and one engine battling the fires, with a total of 88 personnel assigned to firefighting efforts.
Harvey said the fire is primarily burning in spruce and sub-alpine fir with heavy brush containing huckleberry, menzesia and alder. Limited, greener grass and huckleberry patches are slowing the surface spread.
To assist firefighters and to ensure both crews' and the public's safety, the Trestle Creek Road has been closed just above the Huckleberry Campground and Lightning Creek Road has been closed just above the junction of Rattle Creek and Lightning Creek roads.
"Safety of the public and firefighters is our first priority," Harvey said. "All members of the public are asked to drive with caution in the area, especially when encountering firefighting personnel, vehicles, or equipment. The public is also asked to stay out of fire areas until after all the fires are out and crews have left the area. Also, please review and obey the latest fire restrictions."
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