Update: Siskiyou and Blue 2 Fires

Siskiyou and Blue 2 Fires

Klamath and Six Rivers National Forests

Monday, August 18, 2008, 9:00 a.m. On the web at: http://www.inciweb.org/

Siskiyou Complex Information: (530) 627-3532 www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath

ICP is located in Orleans, CA http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sixriversIncid

E-mail: siskiyoucomplex@gmail.com

Transfer of Command: The Alaska Incident Management Team has begun the process of transferring management of the fires to other teams. A transition process will be followed to assure a smooth transfer of command and a thorough exchange of information before the Alaska Team leaves. Ukonom Complex FireAs of 7:00 am Saturday, August 16, the northern portion of Ukonom Complex is being managed by the Great Basin Type Two Incident Management Team led by Rich Harvey. See the Panther Fire Update for information on the Ukonom Complex Fire. They can be reached at 530.493.1571 or via e-mail at pantherfireinfo@gmail.com As of 7:00 am this morning, Monday, August 18, the southern portion is being managed by the Wildland Fire Use Team lead by Beckman; they are also managing other fires in the Bear Wallow Complex. See the Bear Wallow fire update for information on the southern portion of the Ukonom complex Fire. They can be reached at 530.468.1516 or via e-mail at rgbearwallowcomplex@gmail.com Blue 2 and Siskiyou Complex FiresAt 07:00 on Tuesday, August 19, management responsibility for the Blue 2 and Siskiyou Complex fires will be transferred to the Oregon/California (ORCA) Type 2 Team. The Incident Commander for the ORCA team is Ken Paul. Cooperation:The Alaska Incident Management Team is working closely with Karuk and Yurok tribal representatives and the Klamath and Six Rivers National Forests to contain the fires while protecting structures, infrastructure, cultural sites, ecological settings, and other areas of concern. Current Situation:

Both the Blue 2 and Siskiyou Complex Fires are in monitor status except for the area near the confluence of Blue Creek and Crescent City Fork. In this area, crews completed a fireline that now connects both fires. In the future, the line will help prevent the fire from spreading south if and when winds pick up, temperatures increase and/or relative humidity drops.

Fire activity within the Siskiyou Wilderness is expected to continue throughout the summer as the fires run their natural course and burn out or are extinguished by fall rains. Action will be taken to protect significant cultural and ecological sites if threatened. Night shifts will patrol burnout areas through the night.

The fire is still active in the Elk Valley area; however, no line construction has been done. To protect cultural resources, crews will continue to monitor fire activity in the Blue Creek drainage and will reduce fire intensity with aerial water applications if conditions warrant. Handline southwest of Chimney Rock is also being monitored.

Crews have connected the contingency line south of the Siskiyou Complex (near Bluff Creek) to a road system at Lookout Point.

Extra caution is being used in areas to the south of both fires where Port Orford Cedar trees are infected with a root fungus. Boot, tool, and vehicle washing stations are being used to prevent fungus spread to healthy stands.

Help for victims of the Iron Complex helicopter accident

The firefighters on these three fires have donated over $3,600 to help firefighters involved in the recent helicopter accident and their families. If you would like to help; please donate to the Wildland Firefighters Foundation. You can contact them by phone at 877-336-2950, via email at info@wffoundation.org or on the web at http://www.wffoundation.org/ . This organization does an outstanding job of supporting firefighters and the families of firefighters who are injured or killed.

• Health Advisories: Area residents and visitors will experience light to heavy smoky for some time. Visit http://www.ncuaqmd.org/ for the latest information for your community.
• Safety Message: Please drive carefully. Firefighting equipment and periods of heavy smoke may be present at times on Highways 96 and 93 and on other roads in the fire areas.
• Closures: To protect public safety and facilitate fire suppression efforts, the following closures are in effect for the Klamath and Six Rivers National Forests:

·o Siskiyou Complex area: Dillon Creek Campground, the GO Road north of Road 11N11, Dillon Creek Trails, and Roads 14N69, 13N35, 14N19, 14N38, 13N38, 11N11, 12N12, 15N38. Rafting access to the Klamath River in the fire area is restricted.

·o Blue 2 Fire area: Roads: Forest Road 14N01 (Red Mountain Road) from Red Mountain Lookout NE to Intersection with Road 15N01 (G-O Road). Road 15N01 from intersection of Road 14N01 east to its termination point. Forest Road 14N01 from intersection with Road 15N13, continuing NE to intersection with Road 15N01. Road 15N01, from intersection with Road 15N39, continuing south to its termination point. Road 15N39, from intersection with Road 15N01, continuing E to its termination point.

Trails: Summit Valley Trail-3E07; South Kelsey Trail-4E06; Gunbarrel Trail-3E01; Boundary Trail-4E50.

For detailed information on the closures contact Forest Service websites at: www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath/conditions/ or www.fs.fed.us/r5/sixrivers/conditions/ . For information on hunting tag refunds/exchanges, visit California Department of Fish and Game web site at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/deer/fire.html .