Here’s The Latest Information on the Fires Burning in the Six Rivers National Forest

This is a press release from the U.S. Forest Service:

Photo of the Orleans Complex from InciWeb

EUREKA, California, August 30, 2017 – Current fires and fire complexes on the Six Rivers National Forest include the Orleans Complex, consisting of three active fires, and the Young Fire. The western side of the Oak Fire—part of the Klamath National Forest’s Eclipse Complex—is on the Six Rivers National Forest. Firefighter and public safety is the priority.

Orleans Complex—Six Rivers National Forest (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5430/): Three of the nineteen fires comprising the complex remain active: Ukonom (4,195 acres, 52 percent contained); Haypress (6,127 acres, 0 percent contained); and Burney (1,375 acres, 0 percent contained).Fire activity increased on both the Ukonom and Haypress Fires late yesterday afternoon as the persistent heavy smoke inversion finally lifted.

Afternoon winds on the Haypress Fire continued to push the fire north and east actively into the Marble Mountain Wilderness, both up the Haypress Creek drainage and east toward Round Meadow. Crews completed burning operations along Forest Road (FR) 12N02 early in yesterday’s shift, tying into FR 15N17 to contain the fire on the southwestern edge. The fire also spread actively to the south yesterday, toward Gates Creek and Steinacher Ridge. It has not moved out of the wilderness area, but firefighters will scout containment opportunities and assess structures south of the fire to ensure they are prepared should growth continue in that direction. Fire reached the historic cabins around Wooley Creek late in the day. Firefighters burned out around those cabins successfully. Today, firefighters will focus efforts on holding the fire at FR 15N17 and look for opportunities to suppress the fire to the south. They will remain in the area of the cabins to monitor any remaining fire activity and to mop up as necessary to keep the fire contained.

The Ukonom Fire continues to show only isolated heat, and has held well north of Lick Creek and east of the Klamath River for multiple days. Firefighters will patrol and mop up today, making sure that there is no heat detected close enough to the line to threaten containment. Infrared mapping does show some isolated heat sources inside the fire. Residents should expect to see smoke and occasional torching as unburned vegetation inside the perimeter continues to ignite and burn.

The Burney Fire grew slightly on the northwestern corner, but has largely remained inactive. Crews continue to monitor should activity pick up.

Eclipse Complex—Young and Oak Fires—Klamath and Six Rivers National Forests: (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5511/): Growth of the Young Fire, which was transferred to the Eclipse Complex, has been held in check on the west and south flanks by a 2015 burn scar. The Young fire was active on its east flank and continues to back into the Clear Creek Drainage. The fire—entirely within the Siskiyou Wilderness on the Six Rivers and Klamath National Forests—is burning in steep, rugged terrain that poses great risk to firefighters.

A portion of the 55,000-acre Oak Fire is on the Six Rivers National Forest south of Jedidiah Mountain and east of the South Fork of the Smith River in the Siskiyou Wilderness. The fire is established in the river drainage in places but has not spotted across the river, which is also the wilderness boundary in that area. Heavy equipment will begin indirect line construction along Blue Ridge, west of the Smith River, as a contingency line should the fire spot across the South Fork of the Smith River. Pushed by southwest winds the Oak Fire is expected to continue to move north up Clear and Preston Creek drainages.

A Community Meeting is scheduled for tonight August 30, 2017 at 6 p.m. in Happy Camp at the Karuk Gymnasium, 64236 Second Ave, Happy Camp, CA. A second community meeting is scheduled for Thursday August 31, 2017 at the Gasquet District Range Office at 6 p.m.

Closures—Orleans Complex: Two closure orders are in effect for national forest roads, trails, and lands in the vicinity of Orleans Complex fires (http://bit.ly/2xoqGQW). For the Haypress Fire, Closure Order No. 17-05-801 is in effect on the Ukonom Ranger District. For the Ukonom Fire, Closure Order No. 17-05-797 is in effect on the Ukonom and Happy Camp Ranger Districts.

Closures—Young and Oak Fires: Closure Order No. 10-17-09 (http://bit.ly/2wgo73d) closes national forest trails, roads, and lands around the Young Fire and the western side of the Oak Fire (formerly Prescott Fire). Closure Order No. 10-17-07 (http://bit.ly/2vAKQVP) closes two trails near the Young Fire: Doe Flat (Trail No. 4E04) and Young’s Valley (Trail. No. 5E02). Both closure orders remain in effect until the fires are suppressed and declared out.

Safety:

Motorists should use caution in areas with increased traffic due to fire-suppression activities.

Temporary flight restrictions (TFRs are in effect over the Orleans Complex and the Young Fire. Planes and drones not associated with fire operations are not allowed within the TFR. For a complete list of TFRs, go to http://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html.

Fire-use restrictions are in effect on the Six Rivers National Forest (http://bit.ly/2wfQ7Ed).

Smoke from several active fires on the Klamath, Rogue River-Siskiyou, and the Six Rivers National Forests will continue to affect the region. For up-to-date air quality advisories, call 866-BURN-DAY (1-866-287-6329) or go to www.ncuaqmd.org.

Prevention: The risk of starting a wildfire always exists. Remember: “One less spark, one less wildfire.” http://preventwildfireca.org/OneLessSpark/.

 

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Brian
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Brian
6 years ago

Did a big fire just start around 299 between junction city and willow creek?

Big plume taking over the view to that area in last 2 hours…

Brian
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Brian
6 years ago
Reply to  Brian

1 hour ago

Becky
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Becky
6 years ago

Hubby went eastbound by Helena exit just as fire crews arrived a few minutes after 5 pm. He had a pickup in Weaverville. He just texted my about 10 minutes ago, and is stuck on other side of fire – waiting for the boss to tell him – wait or come back another way …

Kym Kemp
Admin
6 years ago
Reply to  Becky

CHP is saying 299 may be closed overnight.

Michael
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Michael
6 years ago

People stuck in Weaver ille can take hwy 3 thru Hayfork to Hwy 36 and over.Road work but you can get thru at night…