The largest fire in California history is finally 100% contained. The August Lightning Complex burned 1,032,648 acres and hundreds of homes. As with all the large Northern California fires, crews are now in a race with the weather to repair as much damage as they can before rains cause widespread flooding and erosion problems. In many of the areas of very steep terrain in the burn areas, there’s danger of entire hillsides washing into rivers and streams.
Survivors who lost their homes in any of the large fires are encouraged to apply for federal assistance from FEMA and the S.B.A. The process can begin at disasterassistance.gov. Questions can always be directed to 1-800-621-3362.
As repairs continue on Highway 36, traffic is still being escorted through the damage zone. The closure for westbound traffic is about 5 miles west of the Highway 3 junction, and the eastbound closure is at South Fork Mountain Summit. The times for pilot car escorts are now the same every day of the week: 7AM, 10:30AM, 2PM and 5:30PM. Reversible one way traffic control is in effect overnight from 7PM to 7AM with up to a one hour delay.