Single Publication

NORTHERN ROCKIES INCIDENT MANGEMENT TEAM 2

Information Phone Lines:

Public Phone: (530) 330-5441

Media Phone: (530) 330-5452

Hours: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

Email: 2023.happycampcomplex@firenet.gov

Informational Websites:

https://bit.ly/FireInformationLinks

Air Quality: For information regarding smoke impacts and what you can do to protect yourself, visit the Siskiyou County Air Pollution Control District Fire and Smoke Information website at: https://bit.ly/Siskiyouairquality or https://AirNow.gov.

Fire Restrictions Fire restrictions remain in place to help minimize the chances of human-caused wildland fires. These restrictions prohibit campfires outside of established recreation areas and wilderness. https://bit.ly/KlamathNFAlertsNotices

Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR). There is a flight restriction over the fire area and drones are also prohibited.

PACIFIC CREST TRAIL: All Pacific Crest Trail closures within the Klamath National Forest have been reopened.

Happy Camp Complex Daily Update

Sunday, September 10, 2023

WEATHER:  The weather today remains warm and dry with mostly sunny skies. Temperatures will range from the low 70s on the ridges to the low 90s in the valleys, with a relative humidity of 15% to 30%. The winds were slope-driven for most of the day, but exposed locations saw general west to northwest winds gusting as high as 12 MPH. Exposed areas may see gusty winds in the afternoon. This warm, dry weather is expected to continue today. A weak cold front will move through to the north, and winds will increase from the northwest by Tuesday. It will start to warm up again on Wednesday and continue to get hotter and drier as the week goes on, potentially increasing fire behavior and smoke production.

WEST SIDE OVERVIEW (ACRES/CONTAINMENT): Elliot (12,273 acres, 51%), Ufish (5,631 acres, 33%), Hancock (1,738 acres, 100%).

Work continues along the State Route 96 corridor. On the UFish Fire, tactical firing operations using Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS/drone technology) is planned for mid-day, if conditions allow. These ignitions will work to secure the northern horseshoe area of unburned fuel to the fireline along 96 corridor. These activities may significantly increase smoke in surrounding communities and smoke columns may be present.

On the Elliot Fire, crews are continuing to patrol and mop up indirect containment lines between Pony Peak and Browns Creek to the east, and the Klamath River to the southeast. The fire is currently slowly backing down Pony Peak and being monitored by air resources. Aircraft will be ready to respond if necessary. Some spotting was detected in the northwest area and crews are griding the area, looking for additional heat.Yesterday, the Hancock Fire was fully contained, and personnel from both Hancock and King Fires are being extracted and reassigned to other priority areas on the Complex.

EAST SIDE OVERVIEW (ACRES/CONTAINMENT): Head (6,940 acres, 100%), Townsend (81 acres, 100%), Den (294 acres, 100%), Scott (1,886 acres, 100%), Lake (199, acres, 100%), King (2 acres, 100%)

Suppression repair work and patrol will continue on the east side of the Happy Camp Complex. Lingering smoke may still be present in some areas, but does not pose major threats to the containment. All fires on the east side of the complex will be patrolled and observed daily by infrared flights to detect residual heat on the land.

Due to the proximity of fires on the Six Rivers Lighting Complex, in combination with Happy Camp Complex fire activity, increased smoke can be expected in the 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. Find more information at 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 forest closures. Contact the local Forest Service office for specific information.