Klamath & Six Rivers N F Update 09 19 08
Incident: Siskiyou/ Blue 2 Complex-klamath Theater Wildland Fire
Released: 9/20/2008
Fire Update
USDA Forest Service Klamath and Six Rivers National Forests
(530) 842-6131 www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath or (707) 442-1721 www.fs.fed.us/r5/sixrivers
Friday, September 19, 2008 Contact: 530-841-4451 - Klamath NF Fire Info
707-441-3673 - Six Rivers NF Fire Info 208-559-5367 - Mike Ferris, NIMO PIO
Today will see another weather change. An upper level low and associated cold front will begin to move through the region today. Expect to see widespread showers develop late this morning in the west, moving east in the afternoon and evening. Precipitation amounts are expected to be fairly light with the greatest chance of measurable rain in Del Norte County and over the higher terrain.
Firefighters are making good progress on a new fire which started on Wednesday. The Empire fire has burned approximately 45 acres and is located in Devil's Gulch and Empire Creek, three miles north of State Highway 96. There are 125 firefighters and management personnel actively suppressing the fire. No structures are threatened.
Fireline suppression repair work continues on all the remaining lightning-caused fires on the Klamath and Six Rivers National Forests. Fire behavior has been minimal, however fuels remain dry and ready to burn under the right conditions. All current fire actitivy remains in the Marble Mountain and Siskiyou Wildernesses.
Firefighters will continue to patrol and monitor all fire areas until significant changes in the weather moderates the dry fuel conditions.
A portable retardant plant has been set up south of Sawyers Bar to support helicopter suppression efforts. Helicopter drops are continuing to be used to cool down hot spots and flair-ups. A fireline suppression repair group continues working in the Marble Mountain Wilderness west of the Stanshaw area to work on trail repair. Infrared flights continue to find heat sources in the Crapo Mountain area in Devils Canyon on the South Ukonom fire. Active burning also continues in the upper extents of Blue and Dillon Creeks on the Siskiyou/Blue 2 Complex. Fire has also moved beyond Chimney Rock into Eightmile Creek and crossed Dillon Divide into upper reaches of Dillon Creek.
The Incident Command Post is located at the Yreka Armory at the Siskiyou County Fairgrounds. Base camps are located at Whites Gulch, east of Sawyers Bar and at Orleans. The fires are under management of the Boise National Incident Management Organization (NIMO).
Current Fire Status
Panther & North Ukonom fires - 75% contained, 51,279 acres
Bear Wallow Complex (Anthony Milne, Caribou, & South Ukonom fires) - 75% contained, 50,112 acres
Siskiyou/Blue 2 Complex - 95% contained, 85,880 acres
Activities Today
Division U (South Ukonom fire) - 1 crews assigned. Patrol division and secure fire's edge.
Division VV (South Ukonom fire) - 2 crew assigned. Patrol and monitor fire activity in Devils Canyon.
Yellowjacket Repair Group - Repair road damage caused by fire suppression traffic on Caribou Fire.
Marble Mountain Repair Group - Continue trail repair work in the Marble Mountain Wilderness.
Panther Branch - 4 engines assigned. Patrol and monitor Panther and North Ukonom fire areas.
Siskiyou/Blue 2 Branch - 4 crews assigned in two divisions. Continue chipping operations and fireline suppression repair on the GO Road area and monitor and patrol fire area.
Total Resources
9 fire crews; 10 helicopters; 4 engines; 16 water tenders; 166 overhead; Total Personnel - 470
Additional Information and Forest Closures
There have been recent changes in Forest roads, trails, and area closures. For current information, visit the Klamath National Forest web site at www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath or the Six Rivers National Forest web site at www.fs.fed.us/r5/sixrivers. On the home page, click on "Current Conditions" in the upper right corner of the page. For current information call the Klamath NF at 530-841-4451 or the Six Rivers NF at 707-441-3673.
