Winds Create Another Active Day on the Happy Camp Complex

Sunday, 27 August 2023, 12:03 am Kym Kemp One comment

Firefighters work night and day to suppress the fires on the Happy Camp Complex. Here hoses are being added to bring water to control lines, helping to prevent fire from escaping on August 17, 2023 2:30 am. [Photo USDA Forest Service, courtesy Daniel Ramey]

The Happy Camp Complex, which is a group of wildfires ignited in the aftermath of thunderstorms on August 14, continues to cause problems in Siskiyou County, threatening homes, wildlife, and natural resources. The fire, which has already consumed a significant area and left one person dead, remains a challenge for firefighters as it stubbornly resists containment efforts.

Located in the Klamath National Forest and Happy Camp Ranger District near Scott Bar, the Complex has consumed 17,847 acres of land as of late Saturday. And, only 15% of the fire has been successfully contained, leaving the vast majority of the blaze unchecked and free to spread further. The firefighters are under the unified command of Cal Fire SKU and the Klamath National Forest Service, with both agencies pooling their resources and expertise to combat the flames.

Amid mostly dry weather conditions and easily combustible fuels, the Happy Camp Complex has exhibited extreme behavior, with active group torching, short-range spotting, and uphill runs being reported. The fire’s growth has been exacerbated by rising temperatures and lower relative humidity, especially affecting the western fires. Despite recent precipitation, the residual increases in humidity have proven inadequate in stopping the fire’s aggressive behavior.

In the face of these challenges, firefighting teams are working to gain control over the blaze. According to the Unified Command, one positive development has been the assistance provided by a southwest wind, which has blown the active fire front back into areas that have already been burned. This natural phenomenon has aided containment efforts by reducing the fire’s potential to spread into new areas. And smoke cleared in many areas allowing aircraft to fly and assist ground efforts.

Details from a press release sent out late Saturday:

WEST SIDE OVERVIEW (ACRES/CONTAINMENT): Elliot (4,967 acres, 3%), Swillup (1,895 acres, 0%), Malone (438 acres, 7%), Ufish (1,372 acres, 0%)

The southwest wind pushed the fire’s southern edge away from Dillon Creek and back into burned areas. Fire lines on the north edge held, where firefighters had completed a strategic firing operation. On the Swillup Fire, activity increased and crews conducted a strategic fire operation along the 24 Road. Efforts will continue tonight to secure the area along the 24 Road. Just to the east and across the river, the Ufish Fire activity increased. The fire backed toward the Klamath River to the west and Titus Creek to the southeast. Firefighters worked to strengthen the primary and contingency lines around the fire. Contingency lines are constructed beyond the primary line to provide an additional barrier if the primary fire lines do not hold. The Malone Fire remained inactive today.

EAST SIDE OVERVIEW (ACRES/CONTAINMENT): Head (6,739 acres, 29%), Block (0.1 acres, 100%), Townsend (81 acres, 100%), Den (294 acres, 95%), Scott (1,862 acres, 50%), Lake (199/ acres, 5%)

The southwest flank of the Head Fire became active as the wind fanned the flames today. Crews working at the fire’s edge were forced to withdraw due to increased activity. An unmanned aircraft system (drone) will fly the east side of the fire tonight checking for spot fires across the line.

A large pocket of vegetation burned in the interior of the Scott Fire. As the fuel was consumed, the fire backed down to the Scott River. CAL FIRE resources will continue through the night holding the fire at the Scott River and Scott Bar Road. To the south of the Scott Fire, a fire line has been completed around the Lake Fire. An additional crew hiked in to assist with mop-up operations, which are expected to take several days.

The Stats:

The fire: 17847 Acres with 15% containment.

The resources:

- 97 crews
- 5 helicopters
- 190 engines
- 34 dozers
- 40 water tenders
- 2 Pumpzillas
- 8 masticators
- 4 excavators
- 3,311 personnel

Images:

Sometimes we need to use different methods to access wildfires! Here we have CAL FIRE crews crossing the Klamath River to assist @Klamath_NF in fighting the Head Fire (near the Horse Creek side) within the Happy Camp Complex. pic.twitter.com/GtdWGTDDSI

— CAL FIRE SKU (@CALFIRESKU) August 27, 2023

The Plan:

The meeting begins about minute 3.

https://www.facebook.com/KlamathNF/videos/322861003442869

The Weather:

According to the Unified Command release, “Warm and dry air, with widespread relative humidity likely to drop below 20%, will remain in place through the remainder of the weekend. Expect high temperatures in the mid to upper 80s, and in low elevations exceeding 90 degrees. Winds will remain terrain-driven and relatively light at 5 – 10 miles per hour, gusting to near 15 mph.”

The Roads:

According to the Happy Camp Complex evening update, “State Route 96 is now open. One-way traffic control remains in place in several areas while crews work to repair damaged infrastructure, remove debris, and stabilize slopes. Delays at the locations with one-way traffic control will be up to 15 minutes. The road will be closed to the public east of Seiad daily from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to facilitate fire traffic. For the exact locations of where this work is taking place, please use quickmap.dot.ca.gov. County Road closures will be listed on the Siskiyou County Public Works website: https://www.co.siskiyou.ca.us/publicworks/page/closures-and-delays.QuickMap.dot.ca.gov.“