Klamath National Forest
Klamath National Forest (530) 842-6131 |
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Newsroom - Ukonom Complex Fire Update
Contact: Tom Lavagnino - Incident Information Officer (530) 493-1518
For immediate release.
Orleans, CA (July 20, 2008)
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Yesterday, most of the fire area was relatively calm with a low intensity burn. The fire made small gains as it torched trees and made short uphill runs in some areas. The fire behavior was mitigated by heavy smoke shading the fuels and retaining some the moisture from the previous night’s humidity.
A base camp is set up at Forks of Salmon, which will reduce travel time and minimize traffic on the narrow and dangerous Salmon River Road.
Directly north of the community of Forks of Salmon, fire crews continued to improve a fire line on Yellowjacket Ridge. On the upper elevations of the ridge, burn out operations progressed approximately 3 miles to the southwest towards the Salmon River. By Wednesday, fire managers hope to better secure the fire line on Yellowjacket Ridge by completing the burnout and limiting the southern movement of the fire.
Firefighters continue to make progress on strengthening and securing containment lines along the west and northwest fire perimeter, east of Highway 96. Near Medicine Mountain, firefighters are brushing existing roads and wilderness trails in preparation for a burnout operation to halt or channel the fire’s movement further into the Wilderness.
A change in the wind pattern and speed is predicted for the next several days. Southwest winds should slow the fire’s southerly progress and push the smoke north, clearing the sky for more effective aircraft use. If the visibility improves today, helicopters and air tankers may be active over Yellowjacket Ridge in support of the burn out. Residents along the Salmon River should expect to see night time fire activity and increased fire vehicle traffic in the area.
A closure remains in effect for the Salmon River Road near Somes Bar to the general public. Local residents and firefighters will be allowed to travel this road with restrictions. Roads near the fire are extremely smoky and caution and common sense are urged when traveling near Somes Bar and Forks of the Salmon. Heavy equipment, fire engines, and firefighters are on or near the roads. All recreation trails within the Ukonom Ranger District part of the Marble Mountain Wilderness are closed, as well as the Norcross and Johnson Hunting Ground Trailheads until further notice. The Dillon Creek Campground is also closed until conditions change.
USDA Forest Service - Klamath National Forest
Last Modified: Monday, 21 July 2008 at 05:08:07 EDT