Panther Fire Update 8 / 18 / 08
Incident: Panther Wildland Fire
Released: 8/18/2008
Monday, August 18, 2008 - 9:00am
Update: Firefighters made good progress yesterday securing line and mopping up on the Panther Fire, which now consists of the original Panther Fire and the north portion of the Ukonom Fire. Fire continues to spread into the Marble Mountain Wilderness where firefighters are closely monitoring fire behavior, intensity and rate of spread.
A Repair Plan has been approved by the Klamath National Forest for the Panther Fire, and is being implemented by operations beginning on the north end of the fire. Repair activities consist of pulling soil back into lines, which had been displaced during line construction. Dead branches, which were thrown clear of the fire in efforts to reduce fuels, will be chipped to decrease fuel density.
Fire crews assigned to the Panther Fire are providing assistance to the Klamath National Forest for initial attack on new fire.
Today, temperatures are expected to be lower with a chance of thunderstorms. Firefighters will continue to mop up and repair fire lines while monitoring the fire as it burns in the wilderness. The fire is being allowed to burn there due to sparse fuels, higher fuel moisture content and the minimal values at risk.
Travelers are advised to use caution while driving along Highway 96 as smoke is impacting visibility along the Klamath River corridor.
Location: 15 miles south of Happy Camp, California
Current Size: 45,655 acres (Panther Fire 23,589 acres; Ukonom North Fire 22,066 acres)
Jurisdiction: US Forest Service, Klamath National Forest
Containment: 73%
Estimated Containment Date: 8/28/2008
Cost to Date: $13,242,678 for both the Panther and Ukonom North Fires.
Cause: Lightning Injuries: 4 Fatalities: 1
Resources: 6 crews, 8 engines, 1 helicopter, 11 water tenders, 1 dozer Total Personnel: 340
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
