UKIAH — Due to increased containment from firefighter efforts, evacuation statuses reduced across the southern half of the Battle Mountain Complex.

The Oregon Department of Forestry reported Saturday, morning, Aug. 10, firefighters have contained the entire southern half of the wildfire near Ukiah.

Firefighters on Aug. 9 added containment to the area southwest of Dale. Crews were backhauling equipment including hose, pumps and water tanks from the southwest side of the fire where it is no longer needed. There still are contained lines on the southern half that require evaluation for repairs. Once the repair plans are finalized, equipment will mobilize to do the work.

“Suppression repair often involves heavy equipment building water bars on dozer lines to prevent erosion and seeding or covering disturbed areas with brush,” according to ODF.

As the southern half of the fire looks toward backhaul of equipment and repair, most of the focus remains on the northern half of the fire. Large logs continue to produce smoke in Alder Creek, but they are far from containment lines. Crews will continue to monitor this area Aug. 10 and act if needed.

The forestry department also reported the fire is likely to continuing creeping through Potamus and Ellis Creek drainages as it did Aug. 9. Northwest of Dale, firefighters will inspect the perimeter and extinguish any hot spots they find.

“With increased containment on the southern side, some firefighters working night shift are being moved to day shift to assist where needed,” ODF reported.

Crews and heavy equipment are working on contingency lines around Penland Lake. If fire should cross the direct lines in the Potamus drainage and push north, these backup lines could be used. Heavy equipment is removing fuels along these contingency lines to be sure they are ready if needed.

Weather

Each afternoon cloud cover will gradually increase through early next week. A few showers and thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon through the weekend. Skies will clear overnight. Temperatures will range from upper 70s to lower 90s during the day. Lows will range from mid 40s to lower 60s with increased overnight humidity.

Smoke and more

Smoke has moderated but is expected to persist from regional fires in the area. Residents can expect to continue to see smoke from interior pockets of unburned fuel. Helicopters will patrol the fire and provide bucket-drop support if needed. To see a detailed smoke outlook, visit linktr.ee/battlemntcomplex2024.

That site also contains information on evacuation levels, public land closures, road closures and fire restrictions.

Total estimated complex size: 182,818 acres

Total containment: 68%

Cause: under investigation

Estimated cost: $55 million

All resources

Hand crews: 59

Engines: 71

Water tenders: 34

Dozers: 21

Helicopters: 6

Total personnel: 1,731

Mop-up consists of firefighters working around the perimeter of a fire and into the burn to extinguish lingering hot spots to create a cooled buffer so materials don’t reheat and cross control lines, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry.