Fire Update 08/13/2008
Incident: Siskiyou/ Blue 2 Complex-klamath Theater Wildland Fire
Released: 8/13/2008
FIRE UPDATE
Ukonom, Siskiyou, and Blue 2 Fires
Klamath and Six Rivers National Forests
Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 8:00 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: Direct and indirect line with low-intensity burnouts backed with contingency lines are designed to create a defensible line around both the Blue 2 and Siskiyou fires. These three approaches are also being used on the Ukonom Fire which has been connected to the Panther Fire to the north. Fire growth within the 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. The fire management team is working closely with Karuk, Yurok, and Hoopa 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. This work includes water barring and scattering material on firelines to prevent erosion.
Siskiyou Complex: 62,361 acres
Blue 2: 9,728 acres Combined containment: 69%
On the Siskiyou Fire, fire intensity in the Elk Valley area is low; it is being monitored and aerial suppression actions may be taken in this area as fire activity warrants. The north, east, and south side along Lonesome Ridge are in patrol status. Crews will continue to work on handline along the southwest corner connecting with the Blue 2 indirect line. While burnout will be used to strengthen the line, high humidity along Blue Creek has prevented this action. Crews will patrol the line and burnout as conditions allow.
On the Blue 2 Fire, firefighters continue to monitor the fire's natural progression on the west side down slope along Crescent City Fork. The fire in that area has reached the bottom of the slope in many areas and is going out on its own due to high humidity near the creek. Crews are monitoring the line on the northeast, along the G-O Road.
Some areas of the Siskiyou and the Blue 2 Fires within the Siskiyou Wilderness will be allowed to burn naturally; no suppression action will be taken at this time.
Crews continue to extend the contingency line to the south of the Siskiyou Complex (near Bluff Creek) using handline to connect to a road system at Lookout Point. Roads will be used as indirect line from that point on the west of the Blue 2 Fire. A slow, methodical burnout operation will be used to strengthen the handline.
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: 50,425 acres 89% contained
Crews will continue to monitor the entire west, south, and southeast sides of the fire. Line construction is complete along Yellow Jacket Ridge to the Uncles Fire. If conditions are right, burnout operations will begin along this portion of the line this afternoon. Crews will continue the burnout through the night. This section is being managed in a confinement strategy. The east side of the Ukonom Fire within the Marble 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
72,089
69%
8/30
15
1,218
27
11
36
4
23
373
879
Ukonom Complex
50,425
89%
9/15
7
235
5
0
3
3
13
67
242
TOTALS
122,514
22
1,453
32
11
39
7
36
440
1,121
·Acreage changes are based on the previous morning's information.- Meetings: A community meeting will be held in Somes Bar at 6:30 Thursday 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 (GO 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/ . For information on hunting tag refunds/exchanges, visit California Department of Fish and Game web site at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/deer/fire.html .
