Single Publication

Happy Camp Complex Daily Update

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

WEATHER:  A warming and drying trend will continue today through Friday, with hot and dry conditions extending to the weekend. Winds will begin shifting to the northeast during Wednesday's early morning hours and stay breezy throughout the day. Morning winds will be more easterly before shifting to the north beginning on Thursday. This pattern will persist through Saturday. An inversion is causing smoke to move slowly out of the valley.

WEST SIDE OVERVIEW (ACRES/CONTAINMENT): Elliot (12,523 acres, 51%), Ufish (6,627 acres, 33%), Hancock (1,740 acres, 100%).

Current fire activity is mostly ground-based due to higher-than-typical live fuel moisture limiting fire spread into tree crowns. Today, work continues along the State Route 96 corridor. On the UFish Fire, tactical firing operations using Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS/drone technology) will be utilized as needed. The Elliot Fire remains the most active on the north side, primarily low-intensity burning. Fire areas are being monitored by air resources and will be ready to respond, if necessary. 

EAST SIDE OVERVIEW (ACRES/CONTAINMENT): Head (6,942 acres, 100%), Townsend (81 acres, 100%), Den (294 acres, 100%), Scott (1,886 acres, 100%), Lake (200, acres, 100%), King (2 acres, 100%)

Suppression repair work, patrolling, and hazard tree removal on several east-side fires are ongoing. All fires on the east side of the Complex will continue to be patrolled and observed daily by infrared flights to detect residual heat in the fire areas. Mop up is occurring on small areas where heat is detected on the Head Fire.

Due to fires on the Six Rivers Lighting Complex, the Happy Camp Complex, and additional fire activity occurring as far as the Canadian region, increased smoke can be expected in Happy Camp, Seiad Valley and surrounding communities. For more information on the Six Rivers Lightning Complex, go to http://www.linktr.ee/srffirepio. 

EVACUATIONS: View current Siskiyou County evacuation orders and warnings by visiting: https://community.zonehaven.com. Siskiyou County residents are encouraged to sign up for rapid emergency notifications using the CodeRED emergency alert system at: https://bit.ly/SiskiyouCodeRedEmergencyAlert.

CLOSURES AND DELAYS:

•            One-way traffic control is possible on Highway 96, 11.7 miles east of Scott River Rd to 13.7 miles east of Scott River Rd and from 0.4 miles west of Scott River Rd to 2.2 miles east of Scott River Rd. Motorists can expect delays in this area. For more information: https://roads.dot.ca.gov/. 

•            Two closure orders have been implemented in the Klamath National Forest:. Find more information at https://bit.ly/KlamathNFAlertsNotices. 

•            As hunting season begins, please be aware of area closures within national forests. Contact local Forest Service offices for specific information.