The Bagley Wildfire in Northern California has burned right up to the eastern edge of the Lower McCloud River, and the wildfire’s official incident page makes it clear that’s where firefighters are making their stand:
Crews were successful holding the fire within the containment line across the fire. Infra-red shows several areas of active fire along the western flank backing down towards McCloud River and on the eastern flank above Iron Reservoir. Burnout operations south of Claiborne Creek were successful. There is still work to be done north of Claiborne Creek.
Firefighters will continue patrolling around the entire perimeter today. They will increase the depth of fire line in their efforts to mop up. Burnout operations will continue near Beetle Butte as conditions permit.
Fire Behavior:
Moderated fire behavior is expected again today until the inversion lifts, early afternoon. Lower humidity and slightly higher temperatures are predicted in the fire area. Firefighters will look for any spot fires that could become active near or outside the containment line.
The Trout Underground reports on the Bagley Wildfire from the perspective of someone working it.
Meanwhile, fishermen will probably be most interested in hearing:
CalTrout is monitoring the fire, both for its immediate effects on the area and the long-term implications of increased sedimentation, loss of woody debris, other effects on fish and access, etc.
We’ll keep you updated on the progress of the fire, which hopefully won’t jump the river.
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Peter Moyle is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology and Associate Director of the Center for Watershed Sciences, at UC Davis. He is author or co-author of more than 240 publications, including the definitive Inland Fishes of California (2002). He is co-author of the 2017 book, Floodplains: Processes and Management for Ecosystem Services. His research interests include conservation of aquatic species, habitats, and ecosystems, including salmon; ecology of fishes of the San Francisco Estuary; ecology of California stream fishes; impact of introduced aquatic organisms; and use of floodplains by fish.
Robert Lusardi is the California Trout/UC Davis Wild and Coldwater Fish Researcher focused on establishing the basis for long-term science specific to California Trout’s wild and coldwater fish initiatives. His work bridges the widening gap between academic science and applied conservation policy, ensuring that rapidly developing science informs conservation projects throughout California. Dr. Lusardi resides at the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences and works closely with Dr. Peter Moyle on numerous projects to help inform California Trout conservation policy. His recent research interests include Coho salmon on the Shasta River, the ecology of volcanic spring-fed rivers, inland trout conservation and management, and policy implications of trap and haul programs for anadromous fishes in California.
Patrick Samuel is the Conservation Program Coordinator for California Trout, a position he has held for almost two years, where he coordinates special research projects for California Trout, including the State of the Salmonids report. Prior to joining CalTrout, he worked with the Fisheries Leadership & Sustainability Forum, a non-profit that supports the eight federal regional fishery management councils around the country. Patrick got his start in fisheries as an undergraduate intern with NOAA Fisheries Protected Resources Division in Sacramento, and in his first field job as a crew member of the California Department of Fish & Wildlife’s Wild and Heritage Trout Program.