Single Publication

A community meeting will be held at 5:30 this evening at the Gail Zink Memorial Park in Happy Camp.

*Please note: a new phone line has been established for media inquiries.

A higher than predicted amount of rain fell overnight on the fires comprising the east side of the Happy Camp Complex. The Collins Baldy Lookout received nearly 2 ½ inches of rain over a three hour period. This impacted the east side of the Head Fire. The west side of the Head Fire and the fires to the south at lower elevations received less than ½ inch of precipitation. The rainfall totals on the west side of the complex were much less with the highest recorded total reaching only 1/10th of an inch.

The rain caused issues with slides and debris flow in the fire area. A slide on Highway 96 in the Oak Knoll area will force firefighters traveling from the base camp in Montague to use the Scott Bar Road to access the fire today. The public is reminded to maintain awareness of the presence of fire equipment and the potential for additional slides as they drive in the area.

The west side of the fire remained active last night and two spot fires were discovered near the Swillup Fire. The largest, at approximately 25 acres is located to the north of the Swillup Fire. The second, east of the Elliot Fire, is still being assessed. A drone flight is planned this afternoon to check for additional spot fires nearby.

On the west side, the Canyon, Three Creeks, Elliot and Swillup fires are being pushed by upslope winds and spreading slowly to the north. A plan has been developed to construct fireline to the north, west and east of these fires. The steep, rugged terrain presents a challenge as fire crews work to box in these fires.

Crews were able to construct containment lines on the north side of the Malone Fire yesterday and will now shift to the south and the west flanks. Boats will be used to transport fire crews across the river to access the Ufish Fire which had previously been unstaffed.

On the east side, the Den and the Townsend Fires have been lined and a number of the resources will be reassigned to higher priority fires in the complex.

Last night crews were able to work directly on the fire’s edge of the Gold and Scott Fires and tied contingency dozer line into Scott Creek. Structure preparation has been completed in the area.

Progress is also being made on the Lake Fire. Initial lines have been constructed on the north and south sides.

Firefighters will continue to take advantage of the weather and build line directly on the edges of the fires when terrain and other conditions allow. The steep terrain and weather increase the potential of heavier fuels such as snags and burning logs to roll down slope or fall unexpectedly. Crews will pay close attention to the conditions as they move forward.

CURRENT ACRES BURNED:

Canyon (1,108), Three Creeks (320), Elliot (669), Swillup (576), Ufish (583), Malone (129)

Head (6,419), Den (294), Townsend (81), Block (0.1), Gold (730), Scott (225), Lake (174)

EVACUATIONS:  View current Siskiyou County evacuation orders, warnings by visiting: community.zonehaven.com. Siskiyou County residents are encouraged to sign up for rapid emergency notifications using the CodeRED emergency alert system. https://www.co.siskiyou.ca.us/emergencyservices/page/codered-emergency-alert

An evacuation center has been established at the Kahtishraam Wellness Center, 1403 Kahtishraam, Yreka, CA 95097. Call (530) 340-3539 if you have questions regarding the shelter.

ROAD CLOSURES: Highway 96 is closed from Seiad Creek Road to two miles east of Horse Creek.  Scott River Road is closed at Kelsey Creek Road. Fire and debris flow will continue to impact the Highway 96 corridor. Please check the Cal Trans website prior to travel in the area, quickmap.dot.ca.gov.  County road closures will be listed on the Siskiyou County Public Works website, https://www.co.siskiyou.ca.us/publicworks/page/closures-and-delays . If you are traveling and encounter mud or debris flow across the roadway do not attempt to cross over the flow. Vehicles can easily be swept off the roadway.

FOREST CLOSURE: Two closure orders have been implemented; Happy Camp Complex Emergency Fire Closure, No.05-05-23-06; Happy Camp Complex Emergency Fire Closure, No. 05-05-23-07. Please refer to https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices to view the orders and maps.

TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTION (TFR): A TFR has been established over the fire area. Flight restrictions include the use of drones. Operation of drones under the TFR is prohibited.

PACIFIC CREST TRAIL: The Pacific Crest Trail has been impacted by the Happy Camp Complex and a portion of the trail is within an Emergency Closure Order on the Klamath National Forest. The trail is closed between Etna Summit and the Oregon border.

AIR QUALITY: For information smoke impacts and what you can do to protect yourself visit: https://www.airnow.gov/

• Fire Information:
• Public Phone: (530) 330-5441
• Media Phone: (530) 330-5452*
• Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily
• Email: 2023.happycampcomplex@firenet.gov
• Incident Website: inciweb.wildfire.gov