Bear Wallow Complex Fire Update - 10,775 Acres

Bear Wallow Complex Fire Update

Acres Burned: 10,775
Crews: 9
Engines: 14
Cause: Lightning
Helicopters: 3
Air Tankers: 0
Date Started: June 21, 2008
Dozers: 4
Water Tenders: 8
Percent Contained: 14 percent
Total Resources Assigned: 484
Expected Containment: 8/15/2008

Caribou Fire (9,133 ac.): The Caribou Fire is located about six miles southeast of Cecilville. On Thursday, firefighters continued burnout operations on the south and west flanks of the fire to consume forest fuels near containment lines. The fire is spreading west into the China Creek drainage and north toward the South Fork Salmon River.

Firefighters on the northwest flank of the fire burned forest fuels south of the river in anticipation of further spread in that direction. They have also laid hoses along the waterway to keep the fire south of the river as it approaches Summerville. Helicopters continue to support firefighters with water drops whenever smoke clears enough for safe flight.

Further burnout operations also occurred Thursday on the south flank of the fire on a containment line stretching from Grizzly Butte west to Rays Peak. Fire managers do not expect the fire to reach the western containment line for several days.

Anthony Milne Fire (1,642 ac.): The Anthony Milne Fire is deep within the Marble Mountain Wilderness, about 12 miles west of Etna. They will continue to monitor fire spread with helicopter flights during the day and infrared flights at night.

Area Closures: Effective July 23, 2008, the Trinity Alps Wilderness east of Cecil Lake within the Klamath National Forest is closed due to fire activity. Forest Road 38N01 is closed from its intersection with County Road 1C02 to its intersection with Forest Road 38N40. County Road 1E003 is also closed at the Petersburg Forest Service Guard Station.

About 16 miles of Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) remains closed on the Klamath National Forest to ensure the safety of hikers and equestrians during fire suppression activities. The PCT trail closure extends from Etna Summit to the intersection of the PCT with the Canyon Creek Trail (#5532). For more information about forest closures and recreational information on the Klamath National Forest, call 530-841-4451 or visit the Klamath National Forest web site at www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath.