UKIAH — County officials lifted all remaining evacuation statuses associated with the Battle Mountain Complex of wildfires near Ukiah, the Oregon Department of Forestry reported in an update Saturday morning, Aug. 17. But firefighters are at the ready to take on more fire activity as conditions dry and the wind increases during the day.

Rain across the northern half of the fire Aug. 15 took much of the heat out of the challenging areas of Swale, Ditch, Ellis and Potamus drainages. Firefighters and equipment operators will continue the repair work they have been doing the past several days, and they will continue the removal and processing of trees around Penland Lake.

“Their goal is still to leave areas fully repaired and follow through with the back-up fire lines started during the height of suppression around Penland Lake,” according to ODF.

The remaining work requires fewer firefighters and equipment. This means support services also are reducing. The incident management team will begin downsizing the fire camps in Long Creek and Ukiah. Residents may see increased traffic the next several days as equipment and trailers are packing up camps.

The public can expect to see increased fire vehicles on the road. The Oregon Department of Forestry urged drivers to use caution, especially on blind curves where lowboy trailers may be traveling.

Weather

Aug. 17 is expected to be mostly sunny with little chance of rain or thunderstorms. Winds will be from the southwest at 5 to 8 mph. They will increase in the afternoon up to 18 mph. A few clouds may develop Aug. 19. Highs around 80 to mid-90s.

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. To see a detailed smoke outlook, visit linktr.ee/battlemntcomplex2024.

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

Total estimated complex size: 183,026 acres

Total containment: 94%

Cause: under investigation

Estimated cost: $72 million

Resources

10 crews

15 engines

1 helicopter

21 water tenders

13 dozers

750 personnel