Single Publication

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Weather: Soaking rain fell over the area yesterday and into this morning and was accompanied by a cooler temperatures and higher winds. The wind reached speeds of 6-9 mph with gusts up to 20mph on Monday. Significant rainfall was received from this system with 1.88- 1.91-inches recorded. Up to 2 inches is expected before the weather pattern moves out of the area.

FIRE BEHAVIOR:  Wind from this weather system is expected to have little impact over most of the fire area; there are a few areas of heat within the fire perimeter though the rain has cooled them down. Available fuels (typically larger fuels that take longer to be affected by moisture) will continue to be consumed within the perimeter before and during the rainfall. 

UFISH FIRE: 7,603 acres at 75% containment. 

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

Firefighters got a much-needed break yesterday as rain provided them a chance to evaluate the ability to access the remote areas of both fires.  Resources will continue to evaluate the at-risk cultural and natural resources, the community of Happy Camp, critical infrastructure that serves Happy Camp, Highway 96, the Klamath National Wild and Scenic River, and the Siskiyou Wilderness. Fire activity in the Titus Creek drainage remains a priority for the Ufish Fire. Open lines are being monitored by firefighters on the ground. Swillup Creek to Pony Peak and into Dillon Creek is a priority for the Elliot Fire. No significant movement or fire growth is anticipated for either fire. 

Hazard tree removal remains a priority throughout the complex. 

Weather and safety permitting, suppression repair will continue along multiple areas of the incident. Crews continue to backhaul equipment and pull hose off the line on the Ufish Fire. Patrolling and mop-up will also continue as conditions permit today.

SMOKE EFFECTS: The rain brought good air quality across the region yesterday and will continue for today. Smoldering is possible once the rain stops, however, today is too wet and any smoke tomorrow will head south out of our area. Later this week, if nearby fires still have activity, smoke production could work its way back up the Klamath River corridor and up towards Happy Camp. For more details on smoke status, go to Wildfire Smoke Update. 

EVACUATIONS: Please note that evacuation status may be changing in some zones.  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 Klamath River. https://roads.dot.ca.gov/