NorCal Fire Report – 7/6/2025

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Our 7/6/2025 NorCal Fire Report provided a detailed update on the Green Fire, Butler Fire, and Summit Fires in Northern California.
This episode was sponsored by QTAC, WATERAX Pumps, and FyreBx.

The Green Fire, located north of Redding, has grown from 96 acres on July 3 to 1,100 acres by July 6, doubling in size daily. The Butler Fire, in the Salmon River Country, is expected to double in size daily as well. The Summit Fire, in the Marble Mountain Wilderness, has been relatively stable but still has some potential to spread to adjacent drainages.

We talked about fire management and fire culture in the Klamath Mountains, and about the Forest Service’s perpetual challenges in messaging with the public about the ecological benefits of wildfire, and the reasons it is pretty much impossible in most of California for then to say they are going to let fires burn.

Watch the 7/6/2025 NorCal Fire Report, here.

Overview of Current Fires

  • Zeke provides a map showing the locations of the Green Fire, Butler Fire, and Summit Fire.
  • He updates the size of the Green Fire, which has been doubling in size daily, from 96 acres on July 3 to 1100 acres by July 6.
  • The Green Fire is expected to continue growing due to its location in continuous fuels and the potential for a slope reversal.
  • Zeke explains the challenges firefighters face in establishing anchor points and his use of LiDAR-derived terrain models to visualize the steep and rugged terrain.

Challenges and Strategies for the Green Fire

  • The Green Fire is burning in steep, rocky terrain with live oak, making it difficult for firefighters to establish control.
  • Firefighters initially tried to establish an anchor point but had to pull out due to the dangerous conditions.
  • An indirect control strategy is being developed, using a ridge system to implement a firing operation.
  • If the initial plan is successful, the fire will be between 15,000 and 24,000 acres.
  • The Forest Service struggles with messaging around the benefits of fire, emphasizing a full suppression strategy despite the potential benefits of beneficial fire effects.

Butler Fire and Its Historical Context

  • The Butler Fire is located in the Salmon River Country, a remote area with a history of frequent fires.
  • The area has seen multiple fires in recent years, including the Butler Fire in 2013 and the Boise Fire last year.
  • The Butler Fire is currently around a couple of hundred acres and is expected to continue growing.
  • The fire is beneficial for the ecosystem, cleaning up previous burns and maintaining forest health.
  • During the 2023 Pearch Fire, locals used prescribed fire (during the fire) to protect their homesites and villages.
  • The power of native aunties with shotguns is noted.
  • The Forest Service’s approach to fire management is influenced by political considerations and the need to balance ecological benefits with public safety.

Impact of Smoke and Fire Management

  • Smoke from the fires is affecting local communities, with significant smoke impact in Red Bluff.
  • The choice between ecological benefits and public health is a complex issue, with smoke being a major concern.
  • The Butler Fire is expected to continue its pattern of backing downhill and then running uphill, similar to the Green Fire.

Summit Fire and Wilderness Areas

  • The Summit Fire is located in the Marble Mountain Wilderness, a remote area with significant wilderness values.
  • The fire has been relatively stable over the past few days, with limited growth.
  • The concern is that the fire could eventually threaten communities in Greenview and Scott Valley.
  • The area has a history of frequent fires, with the Summit Fire burning in an area which last burned in 2014.

Conclusion and Additional Fires

  • Zeke briefly mentions the Madre Fire near Bakersfield, noting that it has not grown significantly in recent days.
  • The incredible effectiveness of initial attack in California means that large fires often start only when there are many other fires burning simultaneously.