September 25, 2021 11:00 a.m.

The Devils Knob Complex grew by a little over 100 acres on Friday.

An update from Pacific Northwest Team 2 said higher temperatures and lower relative humidity increased fire activity on the Smith Fire Friday. The unburned “green’ islands on the interior of the fire north of Smith Ridge were more active. Smoke was visible from the surrounding areas. Heavy helicopters were called in to cool hot spots and moderate fire activity south of Hemlock Lake.

The Palomar Interagency Hotshot Crew also worked in the area, continuing to secure and monitor containment lines on several hot spots north of the Smith Fire area and east of the Jack Fire. On the eastern flank of the fire, the Smith Fire became active west of the Quartz Creek drainage adjacent to the Near Minky Fire. On the eastern flank of the fire, the Smith Fire became active west of the Quartz Creek drainage adjacent to the Near Minky Fire. While the fire was active in heavy timber, there was no active torching. Crews also continued suppression repair efforts around the perimeters of multiple fires.

Today is the last day of high temperatures and low humidity as a western flow begins to push the thermal trough east out of the fire area through Sunday. This flow is expected to bring gusts up to 20 miles per hour on the ridges and will continue to produce hot and dry conditions over fire areas. With rain in the forecast for Monday evening, crews are taking advantage of these dry conditions to continue fire suppression work on the Smith and Big Hamlin as well as the other 23 fires in the Devils Knob Complex.

The Big Hamlin Fire remains 100 percent contained and is at 19,377 acres. Containment on the Smith Fire is up to 36 percent. It has grown slightly and is now listed at 49,187 acres.