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Klamath National Forest Fire Activity Update – August 21, 2023

by Jay A. Martin Views: 87

Forest Service News Release

Yreka, Calif., August 21, 2023— Lightning materialized again yesterday afternoon across the Klamath National Forest. The storms brought scattered rain across the forest. Some showers were heavy and slides again impacted areas of Highway 96.

New fires continue to be reported from yesterday’s lightning. Lookouts remain staffed across the forest and an aerial reconnaissance is planned for today to look for additional smokes. A moister air mass has moved over the much of the Klamath today which should moderate fire behavior on any new starts.

The forest continues to manage numerous fires on all ranger districts:

Happy Camp/Oak Knoll District:

  • The Swillup Fire, between Pony Peak and Bear Peak roads, continued to burn actively yesterday near the Happy Camp Complex’s Elliott, Canyon, and Three Creeks fires. Activity from those fires intermittently halted traffic flow on Highway 96. The Swillup Fire is estimated at 500-600 acres and was incorporated into the Happy Camp Complex this morning. 
  • The Devils Fire is 2.5 acres near Seiad Low Gap and is contained.
  • The Doe Fire, now mapped at 1.5 acres and located near Doe Peak, was called out yesterday.
  • The Berry Fire is .2 acre near Huckleberry Mountain has line around it.
  • The Indy Fire up Independence Creek is near the border of the Marble Mountain Wilderness in the 2021 McCash Fire footprint. It was reported as a small fire with low potential and has difficult access. Smokey conditions in the area have hampered aerial access.
  • The Brown Fire is .1 acres and out.
  • The Dutch Fire is .1 acres and is out.
  • The Intersection Fire is .1 acres and is out.
  • The Titus Fire is in the Marble Mountain Wilderness south of Norcross Campground. It remains at roughly 15 acres with some smoldering at the heel. It is within the 2021 McCash Fire footprint and received significant rain on Tuesday which moderated fire behavior. There are numerous snags, and the fire is in very steep country. It is being monitored by air to evaluate suppression needs.

Salmon/Scott River Ranger District: 

  • A new fire, called the Box Fire, was reported this morning near Box Camp Trailhead. It is estimated at 1 acre and resources are en route.
  • The Capitan Fire is near Capitan Mountain in the Siskiyou Wilderness. Smokejumpers are being inserted into this fire, which is reported to be approximately 1 acre.
  • The Picayune Fire was reported yesterday near Picayune Lake, east of Forks of Salmon. It is roughly 1 acre and has line around it. Resources remain on scene securing the fireline and mopping up.
  • Also reported yesterday, the Whisky Fire was called in as a small ground fire near Whisky Camp near Big Elk Lake in the Marble Mountain Wilderness. A helitack crew is being inserted today.
  • The Grizzly Fire in the Russian Wilderness on Grizzly Peak near Bingham Lake. It is 1.5 acres and contained. Resources remain on scene mopping up.
  • The Clear Fire is in the Marble Mountain Wilderness near Clear Lake. It is roughly .1 acre and is contained.
  • The Shadow Fire is 2 acres in the Marble Mountain Wilderness near Sky High Lakes. Firefighters are continuing mop up the fire and it is 100% contained.
  • The Boulder Fire is .1 acres near Indian Scotty Campground and is controlled and in patrol status.
  • The Henry Fire near Henry Gulch is .1 acre and is out.

Goosenest Ranger District:

  • A new fire was reported yesterday near Ball Mountain. The Ball Fire is .25 acres and contained. Resources will continue to mop up and secure the fireline today.

Yesterday, the Klamath National Forest issued an emergency closure order for two portions of the forest. The purpose of the closure is to provide for public safety in response to ongoing and increased wildfire activity across the forest, including the Happy Camp Complex. The closure prohibits the public from entering portions of the forest in or near the vicinity of ongoing wildfire activity. The closure order also prohibits the use of roads, trails, and developed recreation sites within the closure. Visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/klamath for information on these closures.

“We ask the public to comply with the closure Orders that are in place,” said Klamath National Forest Supervisor Rachel Smith. “Between the activity associated with the Happy Camp Complex and the lightning that continues to ignite new fires on the Klamath, it is important to stay out of the places that are within the Order areas.”

Fire restrictions are in place on the Klamath National Forest. Campfires are only permitted in developed campgrounds and designated wilderness areas. Area closures are in place for the Happy Camp Complex, effective today. Full descriptions of restrictions and closures are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices.

Evacuation Orders and Warnings remain in effect. Monitor CodeRED and the @SiskiyouCountySheriff for current information.

Closures: 

Area closures for the Happy Camp Complex are in place southwest of Happy Camp and northwest of Fort Jones.

Pacific Crest Trail is closed from Etna Summit to the Oregon Border. Hikers and all backpackers are asked to stay off the trail in that area.

Dillon Creek Campground is closed due to proximity to the Elliot Creek Fire.

Highway 96 and the Scott River Road have hard closures.

Information on the Happy Camp Complex can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information//caknf-2023-happy-camp-complex-klamath-nf

Information on Klamath National Forest fires that are not part of the Happy Camp Complex can be found here: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/caknf-2023-klamath-national-forest-august-lightning-fires

*Please obey any evacuation Orders and Warnings that have been issued*

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Author: Jay A. Martin"Never underestimate the impact of a single voice seeking the truth, sometimes you find the story, sometimes the story finds you...and occasionally, it trips you on the way out the door. - Jay Martin"

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