Crews Hold Butler Fire in Steep Terrain as Lightning Sparks New Blazes on Klamath

YESTERDAY – Primary suppression activities of the Butler Fire occurred along the southern perimeter of the fire in the area of Lunch Creek, Horn Creek, and Nordheimer Creek. These areas are operationally complex due to near-vertical terrain. Crews have deployed hose lays as far as possible in these conditions and are applying water several hundred feet down toward Nordheimer Creek. Crews scouted and assessed secondary control lines south of the fire, in areas of the Red Salmon (2020) and Boise (2024) Fires. Interior pockets of unconsumed fuels along the Salmon River Road south of Butler burned slowly but posed minimal threat to the perimeter.

Widespread lightning occurred over the Klamath National Forest yesterday afternoon and evening, bringing scattered precipitation and igniting multiple fires. There is one confirmed fire on the Salmon/Scott River District. The Big Cliff Fire is three miles south-southeast of Idlewild Campground and is reported to be roughly three acres with fire crews on scene. The Orleans Complex is supporting the Forest in the form of resources.

[Click on photo to enlarge]TODAY – For a second day in a row, there is a Red Flag Warning from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. due to abundant lightning over dry fuels. Firefighters and aircraft stand ready to support new fire starts on both the Klamath and Six Rivers National Forests. Suppression activities will continue on the southern portion of the fire and crews will actively mop up around McNeal on the South Fork and west of Horn Creek Gap to fortify the containment lines. Night operations are planned, and crews will be patrolling and strengthening containment lines as needed. A significant effort is underway to backhaul pumps and hoses that were used around much of the fire. Firefighters and aircraft will continue to support the Forest on the Big Cliff Fire.

>WEATHER: The Red Flag Warning that is in effect today from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. today will most likely affect the area from Trinity Alps to Etna Summit. In addition to lightning, the concern will be gusty outflow winds of up to 40 mph arriving from the east. High atmospheric instability will continue through Saturday; however, Sunday will bring a big change as a cold front passes through the area, shifting strong winds to the northwest.

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EVACUATIONS: There are evacuation orders and warnings in the immediate vicinity of the fire. For current evacuation status, visit www.facebook.com/SiskiyouCountySheriff  and www.facebook.com/SiskiyouCountyOES. Additional evacuation information and a map can be found on the Genasys site at https://protect.genasys.com/search?z=14&latlon=41.550694%2C-122.905589 

CLOSURES: An official forest closure around the Orleans Complex went into effect on July 16. Hikers are not permitted and will be asked to leave the area. For details and a map of the closure area, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/nfs/files/r05/klamath/publication/alerts/SRF%2010-25-09%20KNF%2025-0510%20Butler%20Closure%20Order%20%28AC%29%20Memo.pdf

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Forest fire restrictions are currently in effect. Please visit the local forest pages for more information: Klamath National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/klamath/alerts and Six Rivers National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/sixrivers/alerts.