Single Publication

Happy Camp Complex Daily Update 

September 24, 2023

WEATHER: The cooler, windier, and moister trend will continue through Monday. In the afternoon the wind will be 10-15 mph with gusts up to 25mph and up to 30mph on ridgetops through Monday. Significant rainfall is expected within this system with 0.50-0.75 inch likely, and up to 1.25 inches in isolated areas and in higher terrain. This rainfall is expected to begin Sunday afternoon and through Monday with the heaviest rainfall on Monday morning.

FIRE BEHAVIOR:  The wind from this weather system is expected to have little impact over most of the fire area. The fire will continue to consume available fuels from within the perimeter prior to the rainfall. 

UFISH FIRE: 7,603 acres at 70% containment. 

ELLIOT FIRE: 13,649 acres at 70% containment.  

Firefighters will assess the ability to access the fire line safely, considering the forecasted rain. Resources will also assess the at risk cultural and natural resources, the community of Happy Camp, critical infrastructure that serves Happy Camp, Highway 96, the Klamath and Scenic Rivers, and the Siskyou Wilderness. Priority for the Ufish Fire on the Happy Camp Complex remains in Titus Creek drainage. Open lines are being monitored by firefighters on the ground. Priority for the Elliot Fire is from Swillup Creek to Pony Peak and into Dillon Creek. No significant movement or fire growth is anticipated in this area. 

Hazard tree work is being performed in the area off Doolittle Creek and Indian Creek on the 11N12 road system. Crews will be moving resources to the Bear Creek area as equipment becomes available. 

Suppression repair is in progress along multiple areas of the incident and crews have begun to backhaul and pull hose off the line on the Ufish Fire. Creek bottom southeast continue to be monitored and patrolled. Due to the weather, crews will not be inserted into this area today.

SMOKE EFFECTS: More smoke inundated our area yesterday which didn't give the valleys a chance to clear out. The heavy smoke will remain in the Very Unhealthy to Hazardous range for much of the morning. Slight improvements are possible if winds can clear out the low lying smoke, or if light rain showers start earlier in the day. Happy Camp is seeing improvements from some rain this morning. Ultimately, it will take the approaching rain storm to wash out much of the smoke on Monday and give communities some relief after several days poor air quality.For more details on smoke movement, go to Wildfire Smoke Outlook

EVACUATIONS: View current Siskiyou County evacuation orders and warnings by visiting https://community.zonehaven.com. Siskiyou County residents, make sure you are signed up for the CodeRED emergency alert system at: https://bit.ly/SiskiyouCodeRedEmergencyAlert.

CLOSURES: A closure order has been implemented in the Klamath National Forest. Find more information at https://bit.ly/KlamathNFAlertsNotices. 

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

DELAYS: One-way traffic control is on Highway 96 at various locations, from 5 miles east of Seiad to the Klamath River. https://roads.dot.ca.gov/