Significant Growth in the Butler Fire

Orleans Complex Press Release:

August 7, 2013, 8:00 p.m.

For Immediate Release 

Butler Fire Information (530) 618-2101 — Salmon River Complex Fire call (530) 841-4451

A public meeting is planned for tomorrow, August 7, 2013 at the Karuk DNR in Orleans California from 6-7pm. 

Health Advisory:

The North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District (NCUAQM) continues to extend their smoke advisory for Del Norte, Humboldt and Trinity Counties, noting that there are separate advisories for Forks of Salmon, Klamath Glen, Orleans and Weitchpec. For further information call the 24 hour Air Quality Advisory Information at 1-866-BURN-DAY or check the district’s website at www.ncuaqmd.org. 

Detected: Wednesday, July 31, 10:00 p.m.

Cause: Under Investigation

Fuels: Timber and Brush

Estimated Size: 5,112

Containment: 8%

Committed Resources: Approximately 898

Structures Damaged or Destroyed: 0 

Closures:

The following closures are in effect: 

1. Going into or being upon National Forest System lands in the area beginning at the intersection of Wooley creek and Highway 93 (county Road 2B01), then continuing northeast along Wooley creek to the intersection with Timothy Gulch, then continuing southeast along Timothy Gulch to the intersection with the Pacific Crest Trail, then continuing southeast along but not including the Pacific Crest Trail to the intersection with the Russian Wilderness boundary, then continuing south/southwest along the Russian Wilderness boundary to the intersection with Forest Route 39, then continuing west/northwest along but not including Forest Route 39 to the intersection with Highway 93 (county Road 2B01), then continuing northwest along Highway 93(county Road 2B01) to the starting point, as shown on the attached map.

2. Oak Bottom Campground

3. Highway 93 (Forks of Salmon Road) is closed at the Highway 96 intersection and above the Forks of Salmon store. No access to North Fork/Sawyers Bar Road is available at this time.

4. Nordheimer Campground is closed.

5. The land around the Salmon River is closed 300 feet from the high watermark between the confluence of Wooley Creek and the confluence of Nordheimer Creek. 

Summary:

The Butler Fire is located on the Klamath National Forest approximately 10 miles east of Somes Bar, California. Atmospheric instability associated with the incoming cooler weather, but also higher winds, resulted in increased fire activity. Significant growth was occurred along the western and southern flanks of the fire, and fire was observed in the Nordheimer Creek drainage. An additional spot fire was detected and contained over the eastern fire line (across the Salmon River from the current containment line). 

Residents of Orleans may notice increased traffic on the Pearch Creek Road as fire vehicles are using the road to access the western flank of the fire. Siskiyou County Roads Department is currently assessing damage to Highway 93 (Forks of Salmon Road). 

Please see http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3577/# for updates and a map of the Orleans Complex.

Previously:

• Sawyer’s Bar Residents [UPDATE–More Areas Included Now] Advised to Prepare to Evacuate
•  Butler Fire to Nearly 5,000 Acres, 8 Percent Containment; Thunderstorms Coming
•  Fire in the Orleans Complex—Photos
• Butler Fire—Crews and Residents Work to Save Structures
• Butler Fire Control Lines Being Established

• Residents of Butler Flat Wait as Fire Predicted to Reach Homes Tonight
• Butler Fire Up to 1,463 Acres; Still Burning Out of Control
• Fires and Smoke across Northern California
• Orleans Complex Map and Evening Update with Air Alert
• Butler Fire 0% Contained and 500 Acres Burning
• Butler Fire near Somes Bar Burns 400 Acres/Dance Fire 95% Contained 
• Thursday Update with Photos and Video of the Dance Fire
• Dance Fire 90 Percent Contained
• Dance Fire near Orleans up to 650 Acres
• Video of Orleans Fire
• First Photos and Report From Near the Orleans Fire
• Fire Closes Hwy 96 near Orleans-[Evacuations]