Firefighters contain 29 lightning fires on the Klamath National Forest

Extended attack continues on the Blue, Garden, Murphy, and Log fires

YREKA, Calif., August 28, 2025 — After four consecutive days of widespread thunderstorms the Klamath National Forest has detected a total of 34 lightning fires. Thanks to the aggressive initial attack and excellent work by ground and aerial firefighters, 29 of these fires have been contained. Five fires remain uncontained, four of which continue to challenge suppression efforts: the Blue, Murphy, Garden, and Log fires. 

The Blue Fire is four miles south of Seiad, burning on the east side of Walker Ridge in brush and snags from in the 2014 Happy Camp Complex footprint. A midday flight mapped the fire at 49 acres and air resources kept additional growth of the fire largely in check today. A total of 170 people are on the fire, including two dozers, six engines, two falling modules, one hotshot crew, two type 2 IA hand crews, and two firefighter hand crews from CAL FIRE’s Siskiyou Unit. Resources are engaged in direct line construction on all sides of the fire today and it will be staffed with a contingent of resources overnight. The Bravo Fire is about one-half acre and directly adjacent to the Blue Fire. Resources from the Blue are also working on the Bravo Fire.

Air tankers and helicopters have also effectively stalled the movement of the Murphy Fire today to keep it boxed in while ground resources continue work to install a hoselay and construct containment line. Resources on scene include engines, a crew, and falling modules. The Murphy is about four miles southwest of Eddie Gulch Lookout near Murphy Rock and is roughly 7 to 10 acres. A spike camp is being set up to reduce travel time to and from the fire.

The Garden Fire is about four miles northwest of Sawyers Bar and seven miles northeast of Forks of Salmon, on the south side of Yellowjacket Ridge at the head of Kanaka Gulch. This fire is also being kept in check by air resources while four smokejumpers and a crew work to construct fireline in brush and snags on steep ground. The Garden Fire is roughly 14 acres in size.

The Log Fire is 5 to 10 acres burning on a steep and remote ridgetop between Salt Log and Lost creeks in the Marble Mountain Wilderness, about two miles northwest of English Peak. Six smokejumpers arrived on scene of the Log Fire on Thursday evening.

The chance for lightning is over for now, but the probability of holdover fires being discovered remains high as dry conditions return to the Klamath National Forest. Fire lookouts and air resources will continue to scan the landscape for any new lightning fires that materialize.

Weather Outlook

Dry weather will continue through early next week. Afternoon temperatures will be above normal and could heat up early next week. Expect the typical diurnal gusty afternoon and early evening breezes in the Shasta Valley each day through Monday. The threat for thunderstorms could enter the picture by next Tuesday.

Fire Restrictions       

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

Dillon Fire

The Dillon Fire is burning on the Six Rivers National Forest, very close to the border with the Klamath National Forest. A complex incident management team assumes command of the fire tomorrow. Information on the Dillon Fire can be found at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/casrf-dillon-fire.

KNF Press Release

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