CFN - CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS - CAL FIRE NEWS : Inciweb update: Elk Complex Wildland Fire - Size 8,327 acres

Friday, July 20, 2007

Inciweb update: Elk Complex Wildland Fire - Size 8,327 acres - Percent Contained 18%

Crew keeping watch over Little Grider Fire.
Click photo to enlarge great wallpaper picture
Credit: Scott Swanson (USFWS)

Elk Complex Wildland Fire

INCIDENT UPDATED 1200 hrs.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Elk Fire Complex Community Meeting 7/20/07

There will be a community meeting regarding the Elk Fire Complex Friday July 20, 2007 at 7pm, held at the Happy Camp Grange Hall. Representatives from the fire management team, local ranger district and the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office will provide an overview of planned fire operations, forest closures and potential evacuation plans.

CA-KNF-Elk Complex Active Fires Overview map
Credit: USDA Forest Service

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Summary

The top priority is the protection of the Happy Camp, Hamburg, and Elk Creek communities. Yesterday, crews made great progress and constructed ten miles of fireline (see list below).

Moisture from the recent rain helped in the firefighting effort. However, the respite was short lived. As conditions dry, the fire is becoming noticeably more active and trees have started torching. Smoke from the fires will become more visible and health issues may again be of concern.

As conditions change, local communities will be updated regularly. The public is invited to attend another informational meeting at the Happy Camp Grange Friday at 7 p.m.

A new call center with the latest information has been established in the Klamath National Forest Supervisor's Office at (530) 841-4451.

For information on smoke or air quality, please call Siskiyou County Air Pollution Control District at (530) 841-4025 or visit them on the web at http://www.co.siskiyou.ca.us/agcomm/airpollution.htm

Complex Fire Details

Defensive lines around the following fires are being prepared for a burning operation when conditions become favorable:

Little Grider Fire (approx. 1298 acres)

King Creek II Fire (approx. 2779 acres): Firefighters are planning to work directly on the fire's edge.

Wingate (approx. 909 acres)

Elk Fire (approx. 1166 acres)

Titus Fire (approx. 2026 acres): There is also a recommended evacuation for homeowners, campers, and miners from Five Mile Bridge to Norcross Campground on the Elk Creek Road. Firelines have been constructed around structures.

The following smaller fires have been contained:

Tom Marten Fire (approx. 31 acres)

Clear Fire (approx. 38 acres)

The remaining small fires will continue to be monitored, patrolled and staffed as resources allow.

Evacuation Planning:

The Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office has taken steps to locate an evacuation center at Seiad Elementary School in the event evacuation becomes necessary. Individuals with special needs, such as those requiring mobility assistance, need to notify the Sheriff's Office ahead of time.

In the event of an evacuation, small animals will be accepted at Seiad Elementary and large animals may be taken to the Karuk Ranch at China Grade Road at the two-mile marker. All animal owners are asked to be responsible for the feeding and care of their pets at both locations.

Basic Information

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

Current Situation

Total Personnel	1,248
Size	8,327 acres
Percent Contained	18%
Estimated Containment Date	07/29/2007 at hrs.
Fuels Involved	Mature heavy timber overstory with brush understory, large quantities of dead fuels and snags.
Fire Behavior	Continued smoldering in heavy fuels and roll-out on steep slopes.
Significant Events	Completed 10 miles of fireline in Branches I and II. Continued firing plan development for coordinated backfire/burnout of Branches I and II.

Outlook

Planned Actions	Construction of fireline in Branch I. Preparation of control lines for firing in Branch II. Monitoring fuel conditions in anticipation of burning operations in Branch I and II. Re-initiate burnout operations as fuels conditions allow.
Projected Movement	12 hours: Minimal movement expected. 24 hours: Fine fuels becoming receptive to active fire. Limited spread expected. 48 hours: Potential to begin firing operations in addition to some movement of uncontrolled lines. 72 hours: Continued spread expected due to further drying of fuels and potential burnout/backfire operations.
Growth Potential	High
Terrain Difficulty	Extreme
Containment Target	Protection of Happy Camp is likely. Other areas of the fire will have limited success based on availability of resources.
Remarks	Fire Acreages and Containment: Clear - 38 acres, 100%; Elk - 1166 acres, 0%; Hummingbird - 80 acres, 0%; King Creek #2 - 2779 acres, 5%; Little Grider - 1298 acres, 10%; Titus - 2026 acres, 5%; Tom Marten - 31 acres, 100%; Wingate - 909 acres, 0%.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions	Not available
Current Temperature	52 degrees
Current Humidity	100 %

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