Two Found Dead Fleeing the McKinney Fire; This Morning 0% Containment and Over 55,000 Acres

Today, the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office released that two people have died in the McKinney Fire. “Sunday fire personnel located two deceased individuals inside a vehicle located in a driveway along Doggett Creek Rd, off HWY 96, W of Klamath River…,” they announced. The names have not been released at this time.

Yesterday, the McKinney Fire, which began last Friday afternoon, “only” grew about 4,000 acres to 55,493 as an inversion layer settled over the incident. Some rain fell and the humidity rose. However, a Red Flag warning is in effect from noon until 11 p.m. as thundershowers with possible lightning.

A number of other fires are burning (mostly uncontained) in Siskiyou County which is complicating operations:

• The China2 Fire at 1,989 acres 0% contained
• The Alex Fire at 140 acres 0% contained
• The Kelsey Fire at 75 acres 0% contained
• The Shackelford Fire 31 acres 20% contained
• The Meamber Fire at 40 acres 5% cont’d

According to a press release issued by the Klamath National Forest Service,*

The fire continues to actively back toward structures in the Walker Creek area, and night crews were on hand to do structure protection there. The southern and eastern edges of the fire, closest to Fort Jones and Yreka, showed very little growth. The China 2 Fire (west of Seiad Valley and south of Highway 96) did not receive any precipitation but showed only moderate growth due to the high humidity. To the north, the Alex Fire (at the summit above Doggett Creek) received heavy rain.

While last night’s weather mitigated fire spread, vegetation in the area is extremely dry and the continued threat of thunderstorms and the associated strong, erratic winds could result in increased fire behavior. Firefighters will take advantage of the moderated conditions to construct containment lines today, while staying aware of the continued threat for convective activity in the area.

There have been numerous lightning strikes in the area in the last 48 hours, and at least 12 holdover fires have been detected on the Klamath National Forest, in addition to the ones listed above. They range in size from less than 1/10th acre to several acres. All are being fully suppressed.

The Siskiyou County Sheriff has arrested two people for suspected looting. They stated, “Early Monday morning two people were arrested within the #McKinneyFire evacuation zone and booked into the Siskiyou County Jail. One suspect booked for possession of burglary tools and the other for burglary within an evacuation zone.”

We’ve gathered the most important information about the McKinney Fire and organized it below for our readers.

Stats:

Compelling Images:

NEW: @NOAA's #GOES17🛰️ was watching as California's #McKinneyFire showed explosive growth on Saturday. The #wildfire has become California's largest fire of 2022, scorching more than 50,000 acres as thousands of residents are forced to evacuate. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/RLGxjWu7vG

— NOAA Satellites – Public Affairs (@NOAASatellitePA) August 1, 2022

 

Neil Lareau, Professor of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University at Albany, tweeted,

3D NEXRAD radar reconstruction of the #McKinneyFire's impressive nocturnal #pyroCb early Sat AM. Image shows a deep, nearly vertical, pyrometeor laden updraft (deep reds) reaching to ~12 km as well as the descending "ashfall" region that extends downwind from the updraft core. pic.twitter.com/8SyNxOzjsp

— Neil Lareau (@nplareau) August 1, 2022

15 minute time lapse of the Herd Peak @AlertWildfire camera of an intense thunderstorm east of Yreka and the #McKinneyFire. Ton of lightning being generated as you can see. Not good for future possible holdover fires from downstrikes… #CAwx #wxtwitter #FireWX @RobMayeda pic.twitter.com/6j1E3P6lOO

— Michael Steinberg (@MichaelWX18) August 1, 2022

The Weather:  

The National Weather Service reports there will be a Red Flag Warning from noon til 11 p.m. today. There is a 20% chance of rain again today. However, thunderstorms could go along with the rain. Gusty and erratic winds could also come with the rain.

The Roads:

Caltrans reports, “State Route 96 remains closed from the junction with State Route 263 to Scott River Road due to the #McKinneyFire. For the most up-to-date roadway information, please use QuickMap.dot.ca.gov or download the free app onto your smart phone.”

The Maps:

• Operations Map –to see details either zoom or click on the map and download a pdf.
• KMZ Map–Zoom for detail or for 3D imagery, click on the map and download a file that connects with your Google Earth program.
  

  White lines show where clouds made accurate mapping difficult.

Evacuation and Help Information Including Community Meetings:

Multiple Evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect. For current updates on evacuations, visit the Facebook pages of the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office and Siskiyou County Office of Emergency Services. Additional evacuation information and map can be found on the Zonehaven website. A shelter has been established at the Weed Community Center, 161 E Lincoln Ave., Weed, CA 96094.

*This article has been updated since originally published with information from a Klamath National Forest Service press release.

Earlier:

• McKinney Fire West of Yreka Swallows Over 78 Square Miles, 400 Structures Threatened
• McKinney Fire Burns Multiple Homes and Vehicles [Photos of the Destruction Left Behind]