**** Siskiyou Sheriff Confirmed Two More Deaths on McKinney Fire, Total of Four
**** EXCLUSIVE: Fire Photo Collection by Publisher Jay Martin
**** McKinney Fire 56,165 acres and 0% contained; Yeti Fire Complex (China2 and Alex) 2,430 acres and 0% contained; Shackleford Fire 31 acres and 45% contained; Meamber Fire 63 acres and 35% contained.
**** Siskiyou Golden Fair Cancelled
**** California Interagency Incident Management Team 2 in unified command with CAL FIRE assumed command of the McKinney Fire at 6 a.m. this morning – Incident Command Center at Montague Elementary. California Interagency Incident Management Team 10 has assumed command of the China 2, Alex and surrounding lightning fires, now known as the Yeti Complex.
YREKA, Calif. – The Siskiyou County Sheriff confirmed that on Monday, August 1, search teams located two additional deceased individuals in the McKinney Fire perimeter. Both individuals were located at separate residences along State Route 96. This brings the confirmed fatality number to four.
"There will be no additional information pending positive identification and notifications to next-of-kin," the sheriff stated. "At this time there are no unaccounted for persons."
To report a loved one, someone you have regular contact with, who is unaccounted for please call (530) 842-8741.
McKinney 56,165 ; Yeti Complex 2,430
Number of Personnel Assigned: McKinney: 1,363; Yeti Complex: 450
Lower temperatures and higher relative humidity, including some rain over areas of the fire, moderated the fire burning and allowed firefighters to make progress yesterday. Unless explosive fire behavior is observed – as previously – firefighters were able to take a more directly engage on the McKinney, China 2, and Alex fires.
On the McKinney Fire west of Yreka, a direct line has been created along Humbug Ridge down to Baldy Gap. This area received significant rain Sunday night, and the wet fuels will allow line improvement to continue over the next few days. On the southeast portion of the fire, dozers are working east to open up access to the fireline from Scott Bar. This will allow crews and equipment to have better access to the fire. Crews are also working to protect structures in that area. Dozers are working the northwest corner while four hotshot crews build a direct line on the northern edge.
The China 2 and Alex fires are now being referred to as the Yeti Complex.
The China 2 fire has burned up to dozer lines on China Peak as well as to Highway 96. Firefighters will continue to work those lines to hold the fire. Engine crews are also working to protect structures south of Highway 96.
There was no significant movement on the Alex Fire. Helicopters assisted hand crews on the ground with water drops.
Today firefighters will continue to look for areas on the fires where they can have opportunities to directly attack and place contingency lines in areas where direct attack is not possible. Life, firefighter safety, and property remain the most significant priority to the incident.
The combination of moisture and thunderstorms in the forecast are creating an unstable atmosphere which may make firefighting conditions much more hazardous with wind speeds potentially reaching 50 mph during those storms.
California Interagency Incident Management Team 2 in unified command with CAL FIRE assumed command of the McKinney Fire at 6 a.m. this morning. California Interagency Incident Management Team 10 has assumed command of the China 2, Alex and surrounding lightning fires, now known as the Yeti Complex. Information for the Yeti Complex will continue to be posted on the Klamath NF, CALFIRE SKU sites, and will have its own Inciweb page set up for the incident.
Red Flag Fire Warning
The Red Flag Fire Warning, from the National Weather Service in Medford, Ore., for abundant lightning on dry fuels has been extended through Tuesday.
Shackleford Fire and Meamber Fire
Additionally, the #ShacklefordFire, off Shackleford Road and Big Meadows Creek, West of Fort Jones in Siskiyou County, is 31 acres and 45% contained. This fire is managed by CAL FIRE Siskiyou Unit.
The #MeamberFire, near Meamber Creek Road and Scott River Road, Northwest of Fort Jones in Siskiyou County, is 63 acres and 35% contained. Member is also managed by CAL FIRE Siskiyou Unit.
Evacuations
Multiple Evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect. For current updates on evacuations, visit https://www.facebook.com/SiskiyouCountySheriff and https://www.facebook.com/SiskiyouCountyOES Additional evacuation information and a map can be found on the Zonehaven site at: https://community.zonehaven.com/websiteA shelter has been established at the Weed Community Center, 161 E Lincoln Avenue, Weed, CA 96094. Highway 96 remains closed through the fire area.
Forest Closures
Fire restrictions are in effect on the Klamath National Forest. For more information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices/
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is closed through the fire area. Etna Police Department offered a bus on Monday to transport PCT hikers from Etna, Calif. to Ashland, Ore. Local "Trail Angels" are also taking hikers up from Siskiyou County to Ashland. PCT Information: https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/closures/
Be Careful of the Bad Air from Smoke
Yreka currently has Unhealthy Air Index. Checkout the current air quality at Siskiyou County Air Pollution Control District Webpage at https://www.co.siskiyou.ca.us/airpollution/page/air-quality or go to https://fire.airnow.gov/ for live air quality map.
During times of poor air quality, reduce exposure by:
• Limit exercise and outdoor activities
• Remain indoors with the windows and doors closed
• Turn on an air conditioner with a recirculation setting (such as in a vehicle)
State of Emergency causes Cancellation of 2022 Siskiyou Golden Fair
The annual Siskiyou Golden Fair has been canceled due to a state of emergency.
“We have all suffered through two full years of the pandemic and now the McKinney Fire and the unfavorable weather conditions have made the fairgrounds part of the equation to protect as much private property and human life as possible. In these situations the 10th DAA Board of Directors and Staff are not part of the equation” stated Fair CEO Cliff Munson, “In a state of emergency fairgrounds across the state are used to benefit the efforts to save life and property and while the timing is not the best, our fairgrounds has been added to the essential infrastructure needed to best serve our community at this time."
The 10th DAA Board of Directors and the 10th DAA non profit Junior Livestock Auction Committee met this evening and are working on a plan to support our junior livestock market animal exhibitors with a show and sale schedule that is being developed at this time.
