CFN - CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS - CAL FIRE NEWS : InciWeb: Elk Complex Wildland Fire - 17,684 acres

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

InciWeb: Elk Complex Wildland Fire - 17,684 acres - 90%

Elk Complex Wildland Fire

INCIDENT UPDATED 16:00 hrs.

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Duane Lyon

August 9, 2007 4pm (530) 281 4485

Klamath National Forest Announces Reopening of Three Existing Klamath River Closures and Continuing One Closure

Yreka, CA--Klamath River access has been reopened for the following areas; Indian Creek Access, Curly Jack Day Use Access, and Chambers's Flat River Access. This is a result of increased containment of the Elk Complex wildfire and reduced conflict with helicopter operations. However, boaters need to avoid landing on the fire side of the Klamath River (east or south side depending on the orientation of the river segment). Hazards still exist in the fire area-including loose rocks and debris, as well as a high number of rattlesnakes.
Based on concern for the safety of the public and firefighters, the Wingate Bar River Access **area, located in the W ¼ of Section 5, T.15 N., R.7 E., HM, continues to be closed to launching of boats.**

Community Oveview 8/4/07
Credit: NorCal 1

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Summary

The Elk Complex is 90% contained. Crews continue to monitor. Check www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath/conditions/ or call the Fire Information Center at 530 841 4451 for current information on road, trail, and river access closures.

Basic Information

Incident Type	Wildland Fire
Cause	Lightning
Date of Origin	07/10/2007 at 2201 hrs.
Location	Happy Camp Ranger District
Incident Commander	Marcos Spivey

Current Situation

Total Personnel	114
Size	17,684 acres
Percent Contained	90%
Estimated Containment Date	10/30/2007 at 0700 hrs.
Fuels Involved	10 Timber (litter and understory). Mature heavy timber overstory with brush understory, large quantities of dead fuels and snags.
Fire Behavior	Slow moving surface fire in green pockets within fire prerimeter with isolated torching, creeping and roll-out on steep slopes.
Significant Events	Continued to secure line burned on previous days. Patrol, mop-up, and repair activities. Fire backed down to the Klamath River on the west.

Outlook

Planned Actions	Continue to secure the line burned on previous days. Continue to perform fireline repair.
Projected Movement	12 hours: Interior burning of unburn fuels. 24 hours: Potential for re-burn in areas wetted by previous rain event as drying continues. 48 hours: Potential for re-burn in areas wetted by previous rain event as drying continues. 72 hours: Potential for re-burn in areas wetted by previous rain event as drying continues.
Growth Potential	Low
Terrain Difficulty	Extreme
Containment Target	Likely to meet objectives based on current weather projections.
Remarks	Fire finished backing into the Klamath River. Portions of the Elk fire, Humming Bird fire and King Creek to / Titus / Wingate fires are in confinement status which accounts for the 90% continement. Plan to transition to a type 3 team on 08/05/07.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions	1 mph NW
Current Temperature	52 degrees
Current Humidity	75 %

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