Panther Fire Update 8/14/08
Incident: Panther - Klamath Theater Wildland Fire
Released: 8/14/2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008 - 9:00am
Update: Yesterday the Panther Fire experienced active surface fire with isolated torching. Crews were successful in securing the northwest corner of the fire, cutting containment lines in the rugged Coon Hollow area. Helicopter bucket drops were used to support firefighting operations and help firefighters steer the fire into natural fuel breaks. Firefighters also strengthened their hold on the northeast perimeter, widening lines and beginning to mop-up hot spots. The fire continued to back down to the Klamath River which is acting as a natural line for the fire. Mop-up and monitoring continued through last night on the south and west boundaries as firefighters watched for rolling material from the fire on Highway 96.
Today, crews will continue to improve, hold, mop-up and control established lines on the fire. Highway 96 has been re-opened to two-way traffic. The area will continue to experience smoke as interior pockets of fuel continue to ignite and burn.
Location: 15 miles south of Happy Camp, California
Current Size: 22,385 acres
Jurisdiction: US Forest Service, Klamath National Forest
Containment: 45%
Estimated Containment Date: 8/28/2008
Cost to Date: $11,082,000
Cause: Lightning Injuries: 4 Fatalities: 1
Resources: 16 crews, 21 engines, 4 dozers, 14 water tenders Total Personnel: 601
Cooperating Agencies: US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Park Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service, Siskiyou County Sheriff, Cal-Trans
