Firefighters Battle Extreme Terrain to Contain Jacket Fire

KLAMATH NATIONAL FOREST — Firefighters are making significant progress against the Jacket Fire despite facing some of the most challenging terrain and vegetation conditions imaginable. The lightning-sparked blaze, which ignited July 3rd on Yellowjacket Ridge near Crapo Creek, has tested the limits of both equipment and crew endurance as they work in extraordinarily steep country blanketed by brush reaching 12 feet in height. Combined with the precipitous terrain and heavy loads of dead and down timber scattered throughout the area, crews face constant safety hazards while working to stop the fire’s advance.

Hand crews and dozers have employed direct attack tactics, working methodically around the fire’s perimeter despite the punishing conditions. The towering brush creates a nearly impenetrable wall of vegetation that firefighters must cut through to establish containment lines, while steep slopes make every movement treacherous and limit visibility, forcing crews to work in confined spaces with limited escape routes.

Throughout Saturday, firefighters achieved a major milestone by completing control lines and deploying hoselines around the entire perimeter of the fire. The coordinated effort involved the KNF Hotshots working alongside multiple hand crews, engines, and dozer operators, with crucial support from the Siskiyou Unit of CAL FIRE.

Air resources proved instrumental in slowing the fire’s growth, allowing ground crews to gain access to previously unreachable areas. The strategic use of fire retardant drops created opportunities for firefighters to establish anchor points and build containment lines in the challenging terrain.

“To have a fire start mid-canyon in Crapo Creek, and then catch it as quick as we did, and get a line around it, and that hose lay around that fire, just absolutely amazing work, and I’m pretty proud of that effort,” said Deputy District Ranger Danika Carlson of the Salmon/Scott River Ranger District. “So, we’re still watching it with the winds that are coming. We’re not getting complacent with keeping everything staffed, and keeping an eye on what’s going on, but that was a huge accomplishment.”

With forward spread now stopped, firefighters are transitioning to strengthening containment lines using natural terrain features. Priority work includes mopping up remaining hot spots and removing hazard trees and snags near containment lines to prevent potential rekindling.

The Jacket Fire, burning approximately four miles northeast of Forks of Salmon, has been merged with the Summit Fire under the unified command of the Marble Complex. A Complex Incident Management Team has assumed command to coordinate resources across multiple fires in our national forest, while crews remain vigilant as weather conditions continue to pose challenges in the coming weeks.