Butler Fire Spreads to 15,663 Acres with 2% Containment

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

Butler Fire: 15,663 acres; 2% containment

Red Fire: 116 acres; 80% containment

Online Fire Information: www.linktr.ee/srffirepio

 

Operational Updates:

• Butler Fire: The Butler Fire remained active on both sides of the Salmon River July 19, continuing its progression south. The area’s complex pattern of ridgetops and drainages set the fire up for “leapfrog spotting” as afternoon winds picked up speed through the river corridor.

On the east side of Salmon River Road, firefighters were successful at holding the fire along its northern perimeter. Handline and dozer line were put along its eastern flank. The southern tip of the fire reached Sawyers Bar Road, about one and a half miles east of Forks of Salmon.

On the west side of Salmon River Road, the fire continued throwing embers that ignited smaller fires ahead of itself for a second day. In a pattern referred to as “leapfrog spotting,” fire slowly backs down to a drainage before accelerating up the adjacent slope. At the crest of the ridge, winds transport embers to the next drainage, restarting the sequence.

Three spot fires—one about 50 acres in size­—were caught by firefighters along High Point Road, about a mile from McNeal drainage, where fire had moved the night before.

Along its southwest flanks, the Butler Fire continued to converge along Hammel Creek and move closer to Orleans Mountain. The outer edges of the fire made contact with the footprints of the 2024 Boise Fire and 2023 Pearch Fire.

Salmon River Road along the fire’s northeast perimeter remains closed as firefighters extinguish isolated heat sources. Sections of the road continue to be impacted by falling logs and burning debris from higher up in the fire’s interior.

Firefighting priorities for today include containing the spread of the fire burning east of the Salmon River, protecting Forks of Salmon and surrounding communities, and keeping the main fire within the footprints of the Boise, Pearch, and Red Salmon fires.

Evacuations:

Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuation orders for the following zones: FRK-1709 (Forks of Salmon), SIS-1703, SIS-1704 (Butler Creek, Lewis Creek, Bloomer Mine residents and Nordheimer Campground), SIS-1707-A, SIS-1707-B, SIS-1708, SIS-1710, SIS-1803-A, SIS-1804, SIS-1805 and SIS-1808.

The Siskiyou Office of Emergency Services has established a dedicated phone number to assist people with their evacuation needs: 530-340-3539.

Zones SAW-1713, SIS-1705, SIS-1712, SIS-1802, SIS-1811 and SIS-1906 are under an evacuation warning, where residents are advised to be prepared to evacuate if conditions become more threatening. The latest evacuation information can be found at https://protect.genasys.com.

Closures:

• Butler Fire: Salmon River Road between Butler Flat and Nordheimer Campground remains closed as rocks and burning debris continued to fall onto the roadway.
• National Forests: The Six Rivers and Klamath National Forests issued a joint closure order
  July 16 within the vicinity of the Butler Fire. The closure includes Nordheimer and Oak Bottom campgrounds. The Pacific Crest Trail remains outside of the closure area, but hikers are advised to exercise caution.

Weather and Fire Behavior:

• Fire behavior is expected to remain active today with temperatures in the low 90s and winds out of the west up to 20 miles an hour. An marine layer is moving into the area today and Monday, bringing with it cooler temperatures and higher humidity levels. Monday temperatures are forecast in the low 80s.

Fire Safety and Prevention:

• Although temperatures are cooling, fuels will remain dry. Forest users are urged to remain vigilant in the prevention of wildfires: Make sure your campfire is DEAD OUT before leaving it, don’t park on dry grass, and be careful with anything else that can start a wildfire.