Klamath National Forest

Newsroom - Siskiyou Complex, Ukonom Complex, and Blue 2 Fire Update

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Contact Information:

Siskiyou, Ukonom Complex Information: (530) 627-3532 www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath
Blue 2 Information: (707) 457-3974 www.fs.fed.us/r5/sixrivers
Incident Command Post is located in Orleans, CA – E-mail: ukonom.incident@gmail.com

For immediate release.

Orleans, CA (August 15, 2008)

Overall Strategy: Indirect line is being constructed with low-intensity burnouts to connect lines around both the Blue 2 and Siskiyou fires and on the southeast side of the Ukonom. Fire activity within these lines 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 be patrolling burnout areas through the night on all three fires.

The fire 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.

Work has begun to repair areas disturbed during the suppression efforts on the Siskiyou and Ukonom Fires. This work includes water barring and scattering material on firelines, and other actions to prevent erosion.

Siskiyou and Blue 2 Complex 73,438 - 72% Combined containment

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, handline connects indirect firelines on both fires and burnout is being used to strengthen that line as conditions allow.

No line construction has been done in the Elk Valley area, fire activity is being monitored. No suppression action will be taken unless the fire becomes active and threatens to move over Sawtooth Mountain ridge. Handline southwest of Chimney Rock is also being monitored.

Crews are connecting the contingency line south of the Siskiyou Complex (near Bluff Creek) to a road system at Lookout Point. A slow, methodical burnout operation will be used to strengthen the handline.

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.

Ukonom Complex 50,721 acres - 89% contained

The entire west, south, and southeast sides of the fire are in monitor status. Burnout operations will continue between Crapo Mountain and the Uncles Fire area. The east side of the Ukonom Fire within the Marble Mountain Wilderness is burning naturally and will continue until it burns out or is extinguished by fall rains; no suppression actions are being taken along this portion of the fire.

Tomorrow morning, management of the northern portion of the Ukonom Complex Fire (north of Wooley Creek) will be transferred to the Great Basin Type 2 Team currently managing the Panther Fire. The Incident Commander for that team is Nick Harvey.

Fire Activity Table

*Acreage changes are based on the previous morning's information.

• Health Advisories: Area residents and visitors should be aware of very smoky conditions. Visit www.ncuaqmd.org for the latest information for your community.
• Safety Message:  Please drive carefully and help keep our firefighters and the public safe.  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 Siskiyou National Forests:
  • 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.
  • Ukonom Complex area:  Salmon River Road (Siskiyou Co.) near Forks of Salmon Dillon Creek, Oak Bottom & Nordheimer Flat Campgrounds, Medicine Mountain Trail (5820), Wooley Creek Trail (5820), Portuguese Peak Trail (5833), Bridge Creek Trail (5816), & all trails within the Ukonom RD Marble Mountain Wilderness, Norcross and Johnson Hunting Ground Trailheads.  Although Salmon River Road near Somes Bar to the Forks of the Salmon is closed to the general public, local residents only are allowed to travel this road with restrictions.
  • Blue 2 Fire area:  Roads: Forest Road 14N01 (Red Mountain Road) from Red Mountain Lookout NE to Intersection with Road 15N01 (GO 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

USDA Forest Service - Klamath National Forest
Last Modified: Monday, 18 August 2008 at 09:16:37 EDT