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Another active day occurred on the Happy Camp Complex, as weather conditions remained dry and fuels burned easily. A southwest wind aided firefighters by blowing the active fire front back into the area already burned. On the Head Fire, water-dropping helicopters were used on the north flank to support the firefighters on the ground.

WEST SIDE OVERVIEW (ACRES/CONTAINMENT): Elliot (4,967 acres, 3%), Swillup (1,895 acres, 0%), Malone (438 acres, 7%), Ufish (1,372 acres, 0%)

The southwest wind pushed the fire’s southern edge away from Dillon Creek and back into burned areas. Fire lines on the north edge held, where firefighters had completed a strategic firing operation. On the Swillup Fire, activity increased and crews conducted a strategic fire operation along the 24 Road. Efforts will continue tonight to secure the area along the 24 Road. Just to the east and across the river, the Ufish Fire activity increased. The fire backed toward the Klamath River to the west and Titus Creek to the southeast. Firefighters worked to strengthen the primary and contingency lines around the fire. Contingency lines are constructed beyond the primary line to provide an additional barrier if the primary fire lines do not hold. The Malone Fire remained inactive today.

EAST SIDE OVERVIEW (ACRES/CONTAINMENT): Head (6,739 acres, 29%), Block (0.1 acres, 100%), Townsend (81 acres, 100%), Den (294 acres, 95%), Scott (1,862 acres, 50%), Lake (199/ acres, 5%)

The southwest flank of the Head Fire became active as the wind fanned the flames today. Crews working at the fire’s edge were forced to withdraw due to increased activity. An unmanned aircraft system (drone) will fly the east side of the fire tonight checking for spot fires across the line.

A large pocket of vegetation burned in the interior of the Scott Fire. As the fuel was consumed, the fire backed down to the Scott River. CAL FIRE resources will continue through the night holding the fire at the Scott River and Scott Bar Road. To the south of the Scott Fire, a fire line has been completed around the Lake Fire. An additional crew hiked in to assist with mop-up operations, which are expected to take several days.

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 CONDITIONS: State Route 96 is now open. One-way traffic control remains in place in several areas while crews work to repair damaged infrastructure, remove debris, and stabilize slopes. Delays at the locations with one-way traffic control will be up to 15 minutes. The road will be closed to the public east of Seiad daily from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to facilitate fire traffic. For the exact locations of where this work is taking place, please use 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.

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. The operation of drones under the TFR is prohibited.

PACIFIC CREST TRAIL: The area within the Forest Orders, including the PCT from the Shelly Fork junction to Seiad Valley, is a hard closure. The PCT from Etna Summit to the Oregon border is a soft closure intended to prevent long-distance hikers from entering the official closure area.  Incidental PCT use outside the Forest Closure area is not officially prohibited. Visitors should be aware that conditions can change rapidly regardless of where they are recreating on the Forest.

AIR QUALITY: For information regarding 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