New Fire Just South of Weitchpec
Screenshot of the FrontLine wildfire app.
A new fire started south of Weitchpec near the intersection of Hwy 96 and and Hwy 169 this evening. The fire was reported to be burning along Hwy 96 about 7:30 p.m., according to the CHP Traffic Incident Information Page. The fire headed up the mountain on the northbound side.
As of 8:24 p.m., the fire is reported to be about seven acres according to an unofficial report on the FrontLine app.
The CHP page reports that the northbound lane is clogged with emergency personnel.
Please remember that information gathered from initial reports is subject to revision as more facts become available.
UPDATE 9:20 p.m.: Merv George, Jr., Forest Supervisor for the Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest, reported this fire. George wrote on his personal Facebook page and gave us permission to quote his thoughtful musings on this incident and fires in general. See below:
On my way home to Hoopa for the weekend and I stumble upon this. As if our valley doesn’t have enough smoke and fires as it is right now.Deerhorn Fire on Hwy 96. [Crop of a photo by Merv George, Jr.]
As soon as I got in to cell service I called this fire in. It was right near Deerhorn and Highway 96. Same spot that gets lit by arsonists every year. About a mile South of Weitchpec.
Mom says this was the first clear sky, clean air day all week. This prolonged smoke is really taking a toll on our elders and youth.
As I write I can hear a helicopter coming from the Willow Creek area. I also hear fire trucks en route. Hope they can catch it before it gets dark. Really sucks when the highway gets closed.
Prayers to all firefighters trying to keep themselves and communities safe this fire season. Really hits me hard to write that since we have had so many deaths this year due to wildfires.
I will also acknowledge that people’s patience in some communities is running thin and passions are extremely high right now about all things wildfire related. I have had many heartfelt conversations with folks who’s opinions are all over the map on the subject….more so than usual….in the last few weeks.
I will commit to do more education about all things fire from an agency administrator’s perspective when I get more time. For now……please know the ecological needs of the landscapes and how we got here is only one piece out of many that must be considered when navigating wildfires. Please know it is a wickedly complex social issue for sure. Not sure public consensus will ever be achieved.
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I think there is consensus on one thing – arsonists are the worst.
What a surprise
That hillside used to only get lit up in years where fires in the area were scarce and/or when there were no “money clouds”.
Seems the arsonists (f***in f***s) are upping their game.
That hillside is subject of one of the longest ongoing federal arson investigations in the country.
Thanks for the comments and insights, Merv. Beautiful, sweet rain is coming.
If that fire was set by an arsonist, I hope they are caught before setting a much larger fire!
Yes thank you for the lovely article you wrote it’s also true Yes Everyone be careful and safe
That looks like the ol throw the cigarette butt out the window trick. I’ve put out a couple of those by being in the right place at the right time.
It’s probably the same guy who smokes the same kind of cigarettes year after year.
I hope the arsonist gets caught soon and not just let out to do it again. And again and again. There needs to be some real consequences and time for people that do violent crimes like arson. Communities need to be kept safe.
Also, looks like there was another fire reported same day about 3 miles from there at 2:35 PM – Mill Creek fire. https://maps.nwcg.gov/sa/#/%3F/%3F/41.095/-123.6975/16