InciWeb: Elk Complex Update

Saturday, July 14, 2007

InciWeb: Elk Complex Update

Elk Complex Wildland Fire

INCIDENT UPDATED 7 MINUTES AGO

NEWS RELEASE

Elk Complex Update 7.14.07

Contact: Incident Information, Phyllis Swanson
Phone: (530) 493-1519
July 14, 2007
The Elk Complex in the Klamath National Forest is currently composed of 32 fires. Seven new fires were added yesterday. All fires are in areas with steep terrain. Some are inaccessible. Many remain unstaffed.
Happy Camp District:
Tom Martin Fire (approx. 40 acres): The community of Hamburg is still at risk. The fire is approximately one mile from town and approximately 100 structures threatened. Crews made significant progress yesterday lining the fire.
Little Grider Fire (approx. 30 acres): The fire burned actively around 5pm yesterday and continues to burn up the drainage.
King Creek II Fire (approx. 60 acres): A firing operation was conducted yesterday evening and line construction continues today.
Elk Fire (approx. 150 acres): This fire continues to be monitored.
Titus Fire (approx. 80 acres): Line construction efforts have began.
Clear Fire (approx. 10 acres): Good progress has been made and the fire is close to being lined.
The remaining fires are small. The fires will continue to be monitored, patrolled and staffed as resources allow.
Total Complex Acreage: 400 acres
Total Complex Containment: 10% Expected Full Containment: 7/22/2007
Cost to Date: $750,000 Injuries to Date: 5
Structures Threatened: 100
Committed Resources: 720 personnel
Additional fires on the Klamath National Forest:
Oak Knoll District: China Fire (approx. 600 acres)
Incident Management Team Southern California 1 (Walker) has been ordered.
Salmon District: zero fires
Scott River District:
Black Fire (approx. 15-20 acres)
Sky Fire (approx. 22 acres)
Goosenest District: zero
Cal Fire:
Secret Fire (approx.450 acres): containment date of Saturday, July 14, 2007
Shaft Fire (approx. 6 acres)
Additional Fire Information: http://www.inciweb.org/ (including other fires) or (530) 493-2243. Please go to the Klamath NF website for more information on restrictions and trail closures at www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath/conditions/.

Summary

Numerous lightning fires within the Happy Camp Ranger District boundaries that started Wednesday, July 11, 2007.

Basic Information

Incident Type	Wildland Fire
Cause	Lightning
Date of Origin	07/10/2007 at 00 hrs.
Location	Happy Camp Ranger District
Incident Commander	Kent Swartzlander

Current Situation

Total Personnel	720
Size	400 acres
Percent Contained	10%
Estimated Containment Date	07/22/2007 at hrs.
Fuels Involved	Mature heavy timber overstory with brush understory, large quantities of dead fuels and snags.
Fire Behavior	Moderate, but active fire behavior throughout the night.
Significant Events	Not available

Outlook

Planned Actions	Continue to prioritize the fires and staff as resources allow. Secure anchor points and continue line construction on the King Creek, Clear, Little Grider, Tom Martin, and Titus fires. Plan to staff 4 smaller fires with rapellars today.
Projected Movement	12 hours: Moderate fire spread is expected.
Growth Potential	High
Terrain Difficulty	Extreme
Containment Target	Unknown
Remarks	The complex is currently composed of 32 fires. Three new fires were added to the complex. The reported injuries consisted of 2 heat related and one ankle injury.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions	Not available
Current Temperature	57 degrees
Current Humidity	65 %

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Saturday, July 14, 2007