CA-KNF-Klamath Complex - 190,601 acres with 75%

Klamath Fire Theater

Location: Northern California, principally Klamath NF but also portions of the Six Rivers NF and Shasta-Trinity NF

Date of Origin: 06/21/2008
Cause: Lightning

Situation as of 09/21/2008 at 6:00 PM
Personnel: 422
Size: 190,601 acres
Percent contained: 75%

Costs to Date: $124,849,322 reported. Actual costs over $150 million.

Fire now officially 3 months old. Fire size increased 1,500 acres in the last 2 days. Fire spread near Medicine Mountain and Chimney Rock was monitored by air. The Blue 2 fire spread into Harrington Creek and Eightmile Creek. Backing, smoldering and creeping were observed in the areas of the Dillon Divide and Blue Creek (Blue 2/Siskiyou fire) as well as in the vicinity of Pleasant Lake (Panther fire) and into the Marble Mountain Wilderness (South Ukonom fire).

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Summary

Increase in relative humidity has helped to moderate spread on all the remaining lightning-caused fires on the Klamath and Six Rivers National Forests. A weak weather disturbance will move through the region today. The only affect this system will have on the fires is to bring some increased cloud cover and ridge top winds in the afternoon. The generally cool and moist air mass will remain in place, helping to moderate afternoon temperatures and humidity.

Firefighters will continue to patrol and mop-up any hot spots on the Siskiyou/Blue 2 Complex. They have nearly competed fire suppression repair on the western and southern perimeters. Fire spread near Medicine Mountain and Chimney Rock will be monitored by air. Crews on the South Ukonom fire continue to mop-up, hold, patrol and repair firelines in the Devils Canyon area. On the Panther fire, four engines continue to patrol the western fire perimeter. The Marble Mountain Repair Group will continue fire repair activities in the Marble Mountain Wilderness in the Stanshaw and Haypress Meadows areas. The portable retardant plant that was set-up south of Sawyers Bar will be demobed today.

All current fire activity remains in the Marble Mountain and Siskiyou Wildernesses. Fire behavior has been minimal, however fuels remain dry and ready to burn under the right conditions. Fire behavior over the next two days is best categorized as backing, creeping and smoldering. Occasional torching is to be expected where flames may hit pockets of fuels below tress with adequate ladder fuels. Increase in acerage on all fires is due to burning of interior islands of fuels. Firefighters will continue to patrol and monitor all fire areas until significant changes in the weather moderates the dry fuel conditions.

The Incident Command Post is located at the Yreka Armory at the Siskiyou County Fairgrounds. Base camps are located at Whites Gulch, east of Sawyers Bar and at Orleans. The fires are under management of the Boise National Incident Management Organization (NIMO).

Current Fire Status

• Panther & North Ukonom fires - 75% contained, 52,813 acres

• Bear Wallow Complex (Anthony Milne, Caribou, & South Ukonom fires) - 75% contained, 50,319 acres

• Siskiyou/Blue 2 Complex - 95% contained, 87,469 acres

Activities Today

• Division U (South Ukonom fire) - 3 crews assigned. Patrol division, mop-up, secure fire's edge and complete fireline suppression repair work.

• Road Repair Group - Repair road damage caused by fire suppression traffic on Caribou Fire.

• Aerial Monitoring - Air attack to monitor fire areas and keep operations updated on fire behavior.

• Marble Mountain Repair Group - Continue trail repair work in the Marble Mountain Wilderness.

• Panther Branch - 4 engines and heavy repair equipment assigned. Patrol and monitor fire area, and complete road repair on the Panther and North Ukonom fire areas.

• Siskiyou/Blue 2 Branch -4 crews assigned in two divisions. Continue fireline suppression repair on the GO Road area and monitor and patrol fire area.

Total Resources

7 fire crews; 10 helicopters; 4 engines; 1 dozer; 14 water tenders; 166 overhead; Total Personnel - 422

Additional Information and Forest Closures

There have been recent changes in Forest roads, trails, and area closures. For current information, visit the Klamath National Forest web site at www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath or the Six Rivers National Forest web site at www.fs.fed.us/r5/sixrivers. On the home page, click on "Current Conditions" in the upper right corner of the page. For current information call the Klamath NF at 530-841-4451 or the Six Rivers NF at 707-441-3673.