Single Publication

Little Yamsay Fire Update - May 7, 2024

Fire Information: 971-978-7899

Email: 2024.littleyamsay@firenet.gov

Size: 2,009 acres  Location: 15 miles southeast of Chemult, OR near Klamath Marsh

Start Date: Detected April 20, 2024  Cause: Lightning  Total Personnel: 92

Crews: 2  Engines: 5  Heavy Equipment: 6  Water Tenders: 4

This lightning-caused fire is being systematically and carefully expanded to treat the landscape with low-intensity fire for forest health and fuels reduction. Some of the benefits include;

• Enhancing meadows by reducing conifer encroachment and increasing wildlife forage
• Minimizing the spread of disease and insects in the forest
• Reducing fuel loading by consuming dead and downed woody material
• Reducing ladder fuels and stand density by eliminating small-density trees

“There’s a right time and a right place to implement this fire,” said Type 3 Incident Commander Jeff Thumm. “I think this is a great opportunity. It’s the right time. The weather is here, so we can be successful. It’s the right place to take advantage of the work that’s been done on the District and the Forest over the last couple of years.”

For more information as to why fire managers are encouraged to increase naturally-caused wildfires when appropriate, read Confronting the Wildfire Crisis Strategy: https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/fs_media/fs_document/Confronting-the-Wildfire-Crisis.pdf

Line preparation continued during Monday’s operational shift with resources beginning work in the phase four block located on the west side of Silver Lake Highway. Heavy equipment cut and stacked fuels along roads systems that will serve as control lines. Hotshot crews felled standing dead trees close to roads on the phase 3 and phase 4 blocks.

Firefighters will implement firing operations when warm weather moves into the area and dries out fuels, which is expected to occur Wednesday or Thursday. Control line preparation will continue during Tuesday’s operational shift. Resources will also prepare the phase four block as a potential area to reintroduce fire into as conditions allow.

There are no closures or evacuations for the Little Yamsay Fire. Residents and visitors driving on Silver Lake Highway between Forest Roads 49 and 7645 are encouraged to drive responsibly and plan on delays as flaggers will be controlling traffic.

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