Fire Update 8/14/2008
Incident: Ukonom - South Complex Wildfire
Released: 8/14/2008
FIRE UPDATE
Ukonom, Siskiyou, and Blue 2 Fires
Klamath and Six Rivers National Forests
Thursday, August 14, 2008, 9:00 a.m. On the web at: http://www.inciweb.org/
Siskiyou and Ukonom Complex Information: (530) 627-3532 www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath
Blue 2 Information: (801) 326-0913 http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sixriversIncid
Incident Command Post is located in Orleans, CA E-mail: ukonom.incident@gmail.com
Overall Strategy: Indirect line with low-intensity burnouts is being constructed to connect lines around both the Blue 2 and Siskiyou fires. Indirect line is also being used on the southeast side of the Ukonom Fire which is being managed in a confinement strategy. Fire growth within these lines is expected to continue throughout the summer as the fires run their natural course and burn out or are extinguished by fall rains. Action will be taken to protect significant cultural and ecological sites if threatened. Night shifts will be patrolling burnout areas through the night on all three fires. The fire management team is working closely with Karuk and Yurok tribal representatives and the Klamath and Six Rivers National Forests to contain the fires while protecting structures, infrastructure, cultural sites, ecological settings, and other areas of concern. Work has begun to repair areas disturbed during the suppression efforts on the Siskiyou and Ukonom Fires. This work includes water barring and scattering material on firelines to prevent erosion.
Blue 2 and Siskiyou Complex: 72,571acres Containment: 72%
Both the Blue 2 and Siskiyou Complex Fires are in monitor status except for the area near the confluence of Blue Creek and Crescent City Fork. In this area, handline has been constructed to connect indirect firelines on both fires and burnout to strengthen that line will occur as conditions allow.
Crews have completed about half the line needed to connect the contingency line south of the Siskiyou Complex (near Bluff Creek) to a road system at Lookout Point. This work will continue today. A slow, methodical burnout operation will be used to strengthen the handline. Work by heavy equipment has been completed and they are being removed from this area.
The helibase near Siskiyou Complex Incident Command Post will be moved to an alternate location today. This is being done to accommodate Karuk Tribe ceremonial activities.
Extra caution is being used in areas to the south of both fires where Port Orford Cedar trees are infected with a root fungus. Boot, tool, and vehicle washing stations are being used to prevent fungus spread to healthy stands.
Ukonom Complex: 50,531 acres 89% contained
The entire west, south, and southeast sides of the fire are in monitor status. Burnout operations will continue between Crapo Mountain and Little North Fork of the Salmon. Burnout operations between Little North Fork and the Uncles Fire will take place as conditions allow. The east side of the Ukonom Fire within the Marble Mountain Wilderness is burning naturally and will continue until it burns out or is extinguished by fall rains; no suppression actions are being taken along this portion of the fire.
Fire Activity Table
Fire
Name
Total
Acres
Per cent Contained
Expected Contained
Injuries
Total Personnel
Crews
Helicopter
Engines
Dozers
Water tenders
Overhead
Acreage Change·
Siskiyou Complex & Blue 2
72,571
72%
8/30
15
1,190
27
10
29
4
21
363
48
Ukonom Complex
50,531
89%
9/15
7
188
3
0
3
3
12
60
106
TOTALS
123,102
22
1,378
30
10
32
7
33
423
154
·Acreage changes are based on the previous morning's information.- Meetings: A community meeting will be held in Somes Bar at 6:30 this evening to update residents on fire activity.
- Health Advisories: Area residents and visitors will experience light to heavy smoky for some time. Visit http://www.ncuaqmd.org/ for the latest information for your community.
- Safety Message: Please drive carefully. Firefighting equipment and periods of heavy smoke may be present at times on Highways 96 and 93 and on other roads in the fire areas.
- Closures: To protect public safety and facilitate fire suppression efforts, the following closures are in effect for the Klamath and Six Rivers National Forests:
·o Siskiyou Complex area: Dillon Creek Campground, the GO Road north of Road 11N11, Dillon Creek Trails, and Roads 14N69, 13N35, 14N19, 14N38, 13N38, 11N11, 12N12, 15N38. Rafting access to the Klamath River in the fire area is restricted.
·o Ukonom Complex area: Salmon River Road (Siskiyou Co.) near Forks of Salmon Dillon Creek, Oak Bottom & Nordheimer Flat Campgrounds, Medicine Mountain Trail (5820), Wooley Creek Trail (5820), Portuguese Peak Trail (5833), Bridge Creek Trail (5816), & all trails within the Ukonom RD Marble Mountain Wilderness, Norcross and Johnson Hunting Ground Trailheads. Although Salmon River Road near Somes Bar to the Forks of the Salmon is closed to the general public, local residents only are allowed to travel this road with restrictions
·o Blue 2 Fire area: Roads: Forest Road 14N01 (Red Mountain Road) from Red Mountain Lookout NE to Intersection with Road 15N01 (G-O Road). Road 15N01 from intersection of Road 14N01 east to its termination point. Forest Road 14N01 from intersection with Road 15N13, continuing NE to intersection with Road 15N01. Road 15N01, from intersection with Road 15N39, continuing south to its termination point. Road 15N39, from intersection with Road 15N01, continuing E to its termination point.
Trails: Summit Valley Trail-3E07; South Kelsey Trail-4E06; Gunbarrel Trail-3E01; Boundary Trail-4E50.
For detailed information on the closures contact Forest Service websites at: www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath/conditions/ or www.fs.fed.us/r5/sixrivers/conditions/ .
