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Happy Camp Complex Incident Update August 30, 2023 Morning
2023 Happy Camp Complex Klamath NF
Publication Type: News 08/31/2023
VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING: A virtual public meeting for the Happy Camp Complex will be held tonight, August 30th, at 5:30 p.m. Fire personnel will provide an operational overview of the fire situation. The meeting will be live-streamed on Facebook (facebook.com/KlamathNF) and YouTube (youtube.com/@ciimt5). A Facebook account is not necessary to view the meeting.
WEATHER: Today will be the last dry day before moisture moves in on Thursday, bringing a chance of precipitation to the Happy Camp Complex.
WEST SIDE OVERVIEW (ACRES/CONTAINMENT): Elliot (9,915 acres, 21%), Malone (741 acres, 15%), Ufish (2,148 acres, 0%)
The main objective on the west side is to hold and secure the fire lines on all three fires. Firefighters worked throughout the night to secure containment lines and extinguish any hotspots on the east side of the Elliot Fire, along Highway 96. A strategic firing operation that was initiated last night in order to prevent the fire from spreading toward the north and west will be initiated again tonight if conditions allow.
Additionally, firefighters conducted a strategic firing operation towards the west on the Ufish Fire last night. They will continue with this operation tonight if conditions are favorable.
EAST SIDE OVERVIEW (ACRES/CONTAINMENT): Head (6,935 acres, 61%), Block (0.1 acres, 100%), Townsend (81 acres, 100%), Den (294 acres, 100%), Scott (1,886 acres, 70%), Lake (199, acres, 5%)
Firefighters made substantial progress on containing the Head Fire as they worked on its north and south flanks last night, ensuring the safety of the Hamburg community. The visibility conditions are now better, allowing air operations to make water drops over the fire, which will further help the firefighters on the ground today. The Scott and Lake fire crews continued their mop-up operation overnight, and those efforts will continue today.
EVACUATIONS: View current Siskiyou County evacuation orders and warnings by visiting: community.zonehaven.com. Siskiyou County residents are encouraged to sign up for rapid emergency notifications using the CodeRED emergency alert system at: 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 could be up to an hour or more. 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 Pacific Crest Trail is closed between the Shelly Fork Junction and Seiad as part of an area closure under Forest Order 05-05-23-07. It is suggested that northbound through-hikers exit the trail at Etna Summit and resume northward travel from Seiad.
AIR QUALITY: For information regarding smoke impacts and what you can do to protect yourself, visit: https://www.airnow.gov/