Deadly McKinney Fire Still 0% Contained Even After Rain

The rain that residents of Siskiyou County prayed for fell hard over large portions of the McKinney Fire and even caused flooding but it and several other smaller but significant fires in the area still grew. The McKinney Fire is now 57,519 acres and is 0% contained. However, the rain calmed the fire’s explosive behavior and allowed firefighters to make progress. Miles of dozer line have been cut in and access has been made to critical areas for crews and their equipment.

https://www.facebook.com/SiskiyouCountySheriff/videos/771097327671561/

Yesterday, the death toll of the McKinney Fire rose. Two more deceased were located. “Both individuals were located at separate residences along SR 96,” the Siskiyou County Forest tweeted. “This brings the confirmed fatality number to 4.” 

A Flash Flood Watch was issued because of heavy rains yesterday. And there are multiple reports of at least one vehicle being swept off a bridge and an occupant needing to be rescued.

Below is a video of a mudflow outside of the McKinney Fire in Siskiyou County. Reportedly, areas inside the fire lines were experiencing worse conditions.

https://www.facebook.com/SiskiyouCountySheriff/posts/425949842906050

 

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

Stats:

The Plan:

The Weather:  

The National Weather Service is predicting today will be sunny and hot over the fire area. No rain is predicted for today. But the humidity is higher right now after the rains of the last few days.

The Roads:

According to Caltrans, “EB/WB SR 96 is closed from the Junction SR 263 to Scott River Rd (Siskiyou County) -due to a fire motorists are advised to use an alternate route.”

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.

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]
• Two Found Dead Fleeing the McKinney Fire; This Morning 0% Containment and Over 55,000 Acres
• Firefighters Dig In as Rain Held the McKinney Fire to Slow Growth