NorCal Lightning Fires and Madre Fire – 7/3/2025

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7/3/2025 California Fire Report

Zeke Lunder discussed the current fire situation in Northern California, highlighting several active fires. The Green Fire near Round Mountain is 100 acres, the Horse Fire near Lake Shasta is 220 acres, and the Helena Fire near the North Fork of the Trinity River is in difficult terrain. The Madre Fire in Southern California has grown to 53,000 acres, driven by northwest winds. The Summit Fire in the Klamath region is also active, with limited access and steep terrain. Lunder emphasized the importance of fire management, the impact of past fires, and the challenges of fighting fires in remote areas with limited resources.

Overview of Fire Season in Northern California

  • Zeke Lunder starts the briefing by noting that today, July 3rd, feels like the first real day of fire season in Northern California.
  • He explains the typical pattern of summer storms bringing lightning, followed by settled weather and mild burning conditions.
  • Zeke mentions that current fires are not growing rapidly due to mild conditions, generally being located on ridgetops, and a lack of extreme winds.

Sponsors and Fire Overview

  • Zeke thanks sponsors Q Tech, Water Ax, and Firebox for their support.
  • He provides a map of Northern California, highlighting the main fires north of Redding.
  • The Green Fire is burning near Round Mountain, covering about 100 acres.
  • The Horse Fire is burning in logging slash and a clear cut, covering about 220 acres.
  • The Helena Fire is near the North Fork of the Trinity River, burning in difficult terrain.

Madre Fire Detail

  • Zeke discusses the Madre fire, which burned 35,000 acres in the first eight hours and has now grown to about 53,000 acres.
  • He explains that the fire is being driven by a northwest wind and is unlikely to cross Highway 166.
  • The fire’s perimeter has not moved significantly in the past eight hours, indicating controlled growth.
  • Zeke mentions the competition for aircraft due to multiple fires in Northern California.

Fire Management and Cal Topo

  • Zeke explains the concept of “building the box” to control fires by using roads and dozer lines.
  • He recommends Cal Topo as a useful mapping site for fire management.
  • Zeke calculates the potential size of the Madre fire, estimating it to be around 108,000 acres.
  • He discusses the challenges of managing fires in remote areas with limited access.

Green Fire and Helena Fire

  • Zeke provides details on the Green fire, which is burning in the Shasta Trinity National Forest and has been mapped at 100 acres.
  • He explains the challenges of managing fires near major rivers due to down-canyon night winds.
  • The Helena fire is burning between the North Fork of the Trinity and another creek, with a checkerboard ownership pattern.
  • Zeke mentions the historical context of the area, including past fires and logging activities.

Horse Fire and Mosquito Fire

  • Zeke discusses the Horse fire, which is burning between Lake Shasta and Trinity Lake, and has been mapped at 275 acres.
  • He explains the checkerboard ownership pattern and the distribution of salvage logging after the Carr fire.
  • The Mosquito fire is burning north of Coffee Creek, with limited growth today. The fire has road access.
  • Zeke mentions the challenges of managing fires in remote areas with limited resources.

Summit Fire and No Name Fire

  • The Summit Fire, which is burning in the Klamath region and has been growing slowly.
  • He explains the challenges of managing fires in steep, remote areas with limited access.
  • The No Name fire is burning in the Saiad Valley, with a history of high-grade logging and the subsequent plantations burning up in fires.
  • Zeke discusses the impact of past fires and logging activities on current fire behavior.

Weather and Fire Forecast

  • Zeke discusses the current weather conditions, including a front moving through California and increased humidity.
  • He explains how the marine layer is affecting fire behavior, particularly in grass fires.
  • The forecast for the next few days includes low risk for new fires and cooler temperatures.
  • Zeke mentions the potential for thunderstorms in the Modoc plateau and dry conditions in the coming week.

Live Fuel Moisture and Fire Behavior

  • Zeke explains the concept of live fuel moisture and its impact on fire behavior.
  • He discusses how moisture in green brush inhibits fire growth and the importance of wind and slope exposure in determining which areas will actually burn.
  • Zeke provides examples of fire behavior in different areas, including clear cuts and mid-slope locations.
  • He emphasizes the importance of understanding fire behavior and managing fires accordingly.