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 24, 2008)
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No significant increase in burnt acreage was reported yesterday. The fire grew an additional 1,000 acres despite the hot and dry conditions of late July. Fire crews continued to burn out along containment lines and roads northeast of Forks of Salmon in an effort to strengthen and secure the fire lines near that community. This fire has been burning for over one month and no structures have been lost. There are many homes located throughout the Klamath and Salmon River corridors and structural protection specialists have been busy assessing these properties and helping homeowners understand the risks of living within a fire-adapted ecosystem.
A public meeting was conducted in Somes Bar last night and widely attended by concerned citizens along the Klamath River. This was the eighth meeting held at the Junction School since the beginning of the lightning-caused fires. The Blue 2, Siskiyou, and Ukonom Complexes were discussed and citizens had the opportunity to talk with fire managers and share their concerns.
Crews are continuing to prepare fire lines along the northern boundary of the fire for possible burn out operations in the future. Fire crews are walking long distances into the Marble Mountain Wilderness to accomplish their daily assignments. Future spike camps in the Wilderness are being considered to minimize the vehicle travel to and from the incident command post and to reduce the distance crews must hike to begin their work.
A closure remains in effect for the Salmon River Road near Somes Bar to the Forks of Salmon to the general public. Local residents and firefighters will be allowed to travel this road with restrictions. Roads near the fire are extremely smoky. 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 on the Ukonom Ranger District within 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, 28 July 2008 at 06:03:03 EDT