August Complex Fire grows to more than 970,000 acres, National Guard personnel assigned to incident

HUMBOLDT COUNTY, Calif. (KIEM)-The August Complex Fire has grown to more than 970,000 acres and is now 51% contained.

Resources are stretched thin, as a result, Cal Fire’s Incident Management Team requested the California National Guard to assist with fire suppression efforts- 138 National Guard personnel are now assigned to the incident.

Additionally, resources from across the State of California, as welL, as Montana, Texas, Washington and New Jersey have been assigned to assist on the August Complex-West Zone.

April Newman is a Public Information Officer for the August Complex Fire.

“To date, the fire has burned 970,563 acres, and is 51% contained, currently there are approximately 3,500 firefighters on the front lines,” said Newman. “This is the largest fire to date in California State history.”

Information Officer Will Powers is working the August Complex West Zone

“Our biggest challenge, has been limited access for ground personnel and smoky conditions has hampered air operations throughout the incident,” said Powers.   

Jennifer Berger is information with August Complex South Zone

“This is extremely rugged country, a lot of it with poor road access, which adds to the drive time as we are doing things like mopping up, patrolling and back hauling supplies, that are then redistributed to other parts of the fire,” she said.

Those who’d like to know more about the status of their property — the Trinity County Office of Emergency Services will be entering affected areas as soon as it’s safe, and will contact owners.