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 4, 2008)

News:

• Community Meetings:  Fire officials have scheduled community meetings to provide current fire information to the public.  A community meeting is scheduled at the Community Center in Forks of Salmon on Tuesday, August 5 at 4:30 PM, and in Somes Bar on Thursday, August 7 at 6:30 PM at Junction School.  
• Health Advisories: Area residents and visitors should be aware of very smoky conditions and low visibility throughout the area. Persons with asthma or other respiratory disease should avoid strenuous outdoor exercise or activity.
• Safety Message:  Travelers are asked to drive slowly and use caution while traveling along the Highway 96 and 93 corridors and other roads, as there will be fire fighting equipment and periods of heavy smoke in the fire areas.

Closures:  To protect public safety and facilitate fire suppression efforts, the following closures are in effect:

• 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.

Siskiyou Complex - 47,785 acres, 60% contained

Current Fire Situation:  Yesterday firefighters continued to control and hold firelines to the west along Lonesome Ridge on the southwest corner of the fire. Patrol, mop-up and monitoring activities continue on the eastern perimeter of the fire. Observed fire behavior was creeping, backing and isolated single tree torching.  Steep, inaccessible terrain and rolling material continue to hamper containment efforts. Smoke inversions limit air operations.

Today's Objectives: Firefighters will hold line and strengthen and widen a contingency line on the southwest portion of the fire. 

Blue 2 Fire Update 6,950 acres 60% contained

Current Fire Situation: Fire crews continue to hold firelines on the northeast portion of the fire. Due to important Native American cultural areas, strategies are being developed to mitigate impacts from fire suppression actions.

Today's Objectives: The fire continues to hold in the bottom of Crescent Creek Fork drainage. On the eastern perimeter crews continue to hold line on the northeast corner to Chimney Rock.  Aerial ignition is possible if weather permits along the southern portion of the fire. 

Ukonom Complex Update 43,390 acres 66% contained

Current Fire Situation:  The fire will continue to back downhill toward the Salmon River and into the Marble Mountain Wilderness. Fire behavior is moderate, with single tree torching with potential for spotting.

Today's Objectives:  Line construction continues to the north to potentially tie in with the Panther Fire.  Fire managers are closely coordinating operations with the Panther Fire managers. Firefighters will continue to mop-up and hold line in the Salmon River Road and Forks area and construct line on other portions of the fire.

Fire Activity Table

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

** Decrease due to better mapping.

USDA Forest Service - Klamath National Forest
Last Modified: Tuesday, 05 August 2008 at 09:24:12 EDT