Firefighters continue to respond to new lightning fires on the Klamath National Forest

Slight chance for thunderstorms through Sunday

YREKA, Calif., August 2, 2025 — After five consecutive days of thunderstorms the Klamath National Forest has detected a total of 29 lightning fires. Of those, 19 have been contained. The largest fire, the Big Cliff just west of the Russian Wilderness, was transferred to the Orleans Complex to be managed by the incident management team. Of the 29 total fires, fourteen were detected on August 2, many of which were in the Highway 96 corridor. Crews engaged in aggressive initial attack, keeping the fires small.

August 2 fires by district:

Happy Camp-Oak Knoll Ranger District

• Peak Fire – On the north side of Tim’s Peak, about eight miles north-northeast of Happy Camp. It is 1/10 acre and staffed with smokejumpers.
• Mattern Fire – On Grider Ridge, about 2.5 miles southwest of Grider Creek Campground. This fire is 1/10 acre and has handline around it.
• Fork Fire – This 1/4-acre fire is also on Grider Ridge, about 2.5 miles south-southwest of Grider Creek Campground, and is contained.
• Lake Fire – Just north of Lake Mountain Lookout, this 1/10-acre fire is contained.
• White Fire – Roughly six miles north of Sarah Totten Campground, the White Fire is 1/10 acre on the east side of White Cloud Peak.
• Cloud Fire – Very close to the White Fire, the Cloud is 1/10 acre and staffed.
• Fish Fire – Up Horse Creek, the Fish Fire is five miles north of Sarah Totten Campground. The Fish is also 1/10 acre and staffed.
• Reeves Fire – The Reeves Fire is up the East Fork of Horse Creek, about two miles south of the Pacific Crest Trail. This fire is 1/10 acre and contained.
• Mole Fire – The Mole Fire is also 1/10 acre and contained. It is up Horse Creek on Middle Creek Ridge, about three miles north of the Horse Creek Bridge.
• Neil Fire – On Johnny O’Neil Ridge about three miles north of Sarah Totten Campground. It is 1/10 acre and staffed.

Salmon-Scott River Ranger District

• Wicks Fire – This fire was reported last night between Meeks and Ruffey Lakes 1.5 miles southeast of Etna Summit. The fire is 1/10 acre, controlled, and in patrol status.

• Blueberry Fire – The Blueberry Fire is in the Marble Mountain Wilderness about one mile west of Blueberry, Wooley, and Heather lakes. Smokejumpers are on scene this 1/10-acre fire.
• Tompkins Fire – Two miles south of Lake Mountain Lookout, the Tompkins is about 1/2 acre. Resources are on scene, including rappelers, an engine, a dozer and a crew from the Siskiyou Unit of CAL FIRE.
• Love Fire – Smokejumpers are on scene of this 1/10-acre fire, located in the Marble Mountain Wilderness about two miles west of Lovers Camp Trailhead.

One fire from the last few days remains uncontained. The Middle Fire, detected on July 31, is roughly six miles north of Sarah Totten Campground. The Middle is five acres with fireline around it. Resources remain on scene mopping up and strengthening fireline.

Weather Outlook

An upper-level trough will pass over the Klamath National Forest on Sunday, bringing cooler temperatures and periods of gusty winds. Another round of isolated afternoon and evening thunderstorms is possible. Warm and dry conditions are expected in the upcoming week.

Fire Restrictions 

The Klamath National Forest is in fire restrictions. This means that, among other things, campfires are only permitted in designated recreation areas. For a list of designated recreation areas and additional restricted activities, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/klamath/alerts/fire-restrictions.

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