Slater Fire smaller than previously predicted; Infrared heat detection confirms footprint

COURTESY: U.S. FOREST SERVICE

HUMBOLDT COUNTY, Calif. (KIEM)-The Slater Fire continues to burn, up in Del Norte and Siskiyou counties, and has grown to more than 122,000 acres – the acreage appears to have shrunk. However, that’s not the case.  

After infrared heat detection flight last night – team 10 was able to confirm the total footprint of the fire is smaller than first estimated while using satellite and data from ground troops, both fires remain 0% contained.  

The Slater Fire has grown to 122,006 and the Devil Fire — discovered Wednesday — has grown to 3,888 acres.  

Crews remained on point protection Friday primarily along highway 199 from Gasquet to the Collier Tunnel.  

The fire is currently hung-up at the Oregon Mountain Road and backing into Knopki Creek – resulting in little movement along the south western edge in this area.  

The initial hot and fast- moving fire caused trees to weaken, as a result, falling snags along Highway 96 pose a danger to firefighters, and anyone else nearby.  

According to the Fire Service, the Slater burning fire to its west is expected to merge with the Devil Fire.  

Highway 199 remains closed from O’Brien South almost to Gasquet, and evacuation orders on the Elk Creek Road and Seiad were downgraded to warnings.

Happy Camp remains under a mandatory evacuation order, and near the Devils Fire. Evacuation orders along Highway 96 between Scott Bar road Portuguese Flat remain downgraded to warnings, according Duane Lyon with the US Forest Service Evacuation warnings remain in effect for Gasquet. 

The cause of both fires is under investigation. 

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