Lime Fire & Kidder 2 Fire Update – 9/13/2019

Yreka, CA. – The Lime and Kidder 2 Fires were started by lightning on September 5, 2019. The following are updates for each fire:

Lime Fire – is located south of Cottonwood Peak on the Happy Camp/Oak Knoll Ranger District.

This lightning-caused fire is currently at 1,872 acres at 45% containment.

Firefighters on Thursday made significant progress on the fire, increasing the containment percentage from 25 to 45%. Firefighters will continue mop up and strengthen firelines today.

Today’s weather forecast is a continuation of a warming and drying trend. Maximum temperatures are forecast between 82 and 90 degrees. Minimum humidity on the highest elevations of the fire are expected to be 15 to 25%. Forecasted wind speeds are 5 to 10 mph with gusts to 15 mph.

Information on the Klamath National Forest Lime Fire closure order, issued on September 11, can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices. The public is asked to remain away from closed areas, to allow the firefighters, engines, helicopters, and other equipment to work safely.

Effective Wednesday September 12 at 6:00 P.M., the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office lifted the evacuation warning that had been effect since September 7 for residences within and adjacent to the Lime Fire.

Forest Service and public safety officials would like to thank residents for their understanding of the situation and for being prepared.

The public is advised to continue to exercise extreme caution along Highway 96 when driving in the vicinity of the fire. To ensure public safety, the highway occasionally may be subject to temporary closure. Motorists are also encouraged to be aware of potentially distracted driving along Interstate 5, as the fire is visible from a number of vantage points north of Yreka.

Kidder 2 Fire – is located ten miles southwest of Fort Jones in the Marble Mountain Wilderness on the Salmon/Scott River Ranger District.

This lightning-caused fire is burning in remote and rugged terrain. The fire currently is 165 acres and 43% contained. On Thursday, firefighters continued constructing and securing fireline and will continue that work today.

The Pacific Crest Trail passes near the Kidder 2 Fire. For their safety, hikers are advised to avoid the fire area.

Information on the Klamath National Forest Kidder 2 Fire closure order, issued on September 11, can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices. Forest visitors can contact the Salmon/Scott River Ranger District Office at (530) 468-5351 for additional information or alternative recreational opportunities in the area.

Additional information and daily updates:

Lime Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6576/

Kidder 2 Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6584/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/KlamathNF

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Klamath_NF

Telephone: Joshua Veal (530) 841-4485

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Yreka, CA - The Lime fire, burning south of Cottonwood Peak on the Happy Camp/Oak Knoll Ranger

gusty cold front in the afternoon. Map of Evacuation Warning Area for Lime Fire 9/8/2019

Yreka, CA. – The Lime and Kidder 2 Fires were started by lightning on September 5, 2019. The following are updates for each fire:

Lime Fire – is located south of Cottonwood Peak on the Happy Camp/Oak Knoll Ranger District.

This lightning-caused fire is currently at 1,862 acres at 25% containment.

On Wednesday firefighters took advantage of the cooler weather to identify and extinguish hot spots within the fire perimeter. Ground forces were supported in this work by helicopter water bucket drops. Firefighters also improved and extended control lines around the fire’s perimeter, resulting in a higher percentage of containment.

Today’s forecast is for warmer and drier weather. Maximum temperatures are forecast between 81 to 87 degrees, with minimum humidity falling to 15 to 30%. Forecasted wind speeds are 5 to 10 mph with gusts to 15 mph.

Information on the Klamath National Forest Lime Fire closure order, issued on September 11, can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices. The public is asked to remain away from closed areas, to allow the firefighters, engines, helicopters, and other equipment to work safely.

The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office issued an evacuation warning for residences within and adjacent to the fire area on September 7 at 12:17 p.m. The evacuation warning will remain in effect until public safety officials determine conditions are safe to allow the warning to be lifted.

Motorists are advised to continue to exercise extreme caution along Highway 96 in the vicinity of the fire. To ensure public safety, the highway occasionally may be subject to temporary closure. Motorists are also encouraged to be aware of potentially distracted driving along Interstate 5, as the fire is visible from a number of vantage points north of Yreka.

Kidder 2 Fire – is located ten miles southwest of Fort Jones in the Marble Mountain Wilderness on the Salmon/Scott River Ranger District.

This lightning-caused fire is burning in remote and rugged terrain. The current fire size is 161 acres with 32% containment.

On Wednesday firefighters continued constructing and securing fireline. Today they will continue to work on suppressing the fire.

The Pacific Crest Trail passes near the fire, and hikers are advised to avoid the area, due to the possibility of smoke and fire spread.

Information on the Klamath National Forest Kidder 2 Fire closure order, issued on September 11, can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices. Forest visitors can contact the Salmon/Scott River Ranger District Office at (530) 468-5351 for additional information or alternative recreational opportunities in the area.

Additional information and daily updates:

Lime Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6576/

Kidder 2 Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6584/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/KlamathNF

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Klamath_NF

Telephone: Joshua Veal (530) 841-4485

# # #

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Lime Fire & Kidder 2 Fire Update for .9.11.2019

In recognition of the anniversary of the events of September 11, 2001, firefighters assigned to the Lime and Kidder 2 Fires observed a moment of silence during this morning’s operational briefing.

Lime Fire – Located south of Cottonwood Peak on the Happy Camp/Oak Knoll Ranger District.

This lightning caused fire is currently at 1911 acres at 20% containment

With a second day of cooler temperatures and higher humidities, firefighters made significant progress constructing fireline along the fire’s edge on Tuesday. Intermittent cloudiness limited opportunities for air operations.

Today’s forecast is for temperatures between 75 and 82 degrees, humidity ranging between 20-30% and light afternoon winds. A decrease in cloudiness should allow increased use of aircraft. Conditions will be favorable for building additional fire containment lines and improvement of existing firelines.

The Klamath National Forest today issued a closure order for the Lime Fire on the Happy Camp/Oak Knoll Ranger District. This closure includes several Klamath River access areas, the Tree of Heaven Campground, and forest roads and will be in effect until 11/30/2019. To read the full order and view a map of the closed area, click here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices.

Please remain away from these areas, allowing the firefighters, engines, helicopters and other equipment to work safely.

The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office issued an evacuation warning for residences within and adjacent to the fire area on September 7th at 12:17 p.m. This request was made out of concern for potential rapid-fire movement due to the anticipated passage of a dry and gusty cold front that occurred later in the day. The evacuation warning will remain in effect until public safety officials determine conditions are safe to allow the warning to be lifted.

Motorists are advised to exercise extreme caution along Highway 96 in the vicinity of the fire, due to increased fire equipment traffic. The highway may be subject to temporary closure today due to fire operations for public safety. Motorists are also encouraged to be aware of potentially distracted driving along Interstate 5, as the fire is visible from a number of vantage points north of Yreka.

Kidder 2 Fire – Located ten miles southwest of Fort Jones in the Marble Mountain Wilderness on the Salmon/Scott River Ranger District.

This lightning caused fire is currently at 158 acres at 27% containment.

The Kidder 2 Fire is located in the wilderness and the remote, rugged terrain continues to challenge firefighter access and fireline construction. Helicopters are supporting suppression efforts on the ground by performing bucket drops and supplying firefighters on the ground with critical equipment.

The Pacific Crest Trail passes near the fire, and hikers are advised to avoid the area, due to the possibility of smoke and fire spread.

An updated closure for the Kidder Creek Trail (#5545) and the Hayes Meadows Trail (#5546) was issued on 9/10/2019 and will remain in effect through 11/30/2019. To read the full order and view a map of the closed area, click here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices.

Forest visitors can contact the Salmon/Scott River Ranger District Office at (530) 468-5351 for additional information or alternative recreational opportunities in the area.

Additional information and daily updates:

Lime Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6576/

Kidder 2 Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6584/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/KlamathNF

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Klamath_NF

Telephone: Joshua Veal (530) 841-4485

# # #

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Lime Fire & Kidder 2 Fire Update

Lime Fire – Located south of Cottonwood Peak on the Happy Camp/Oak Knoll Ranger District.

This lightning caused fire is currently at 1620 acres at 0% containment

Monday’s favorable weather, with cloud cover and higher humidity, kept fire spread and smoke to a minimum allowing firefighters to construct direct fireline along the fire’s edge.

Weather forecast for today may include rain and thunderstorms. Temperatures will range from 75-82 degrees, humidity between 20-30% and winds will be breezy to gusty at times across the higher peaks in the afternoon.

The concern will be the chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms, which should diminish in the late evening. The thunderstorms present a lightning hazard and the potential for new fires. The Forest Service and local fire agencies are prepared to respond and suppress any new fires.

Firefighters supported by aircraft will continue to build and improve fire containment lines along the fire’s edge today as weather and conditions permit.

The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office issued an evacuation warning for residences within and adjacent to the fire area on September 7th at 12:17pm. This request was made out of concern for potential rapid-fire movement due to the anticipated passage of a dry and gusty cold front that occurred later in the day. The evacuation warning will remain in effect until public safety officials determine conditions are safe to allow the warning to be lifted.

Motorists are advised to exercise extreme caution along Highway 96 in the vicinity of the fire, in order to provide for firefighter safety and to accommodate increased fire equipment traffic. Motorists are also encouraged to be aware of potentially distracted driving along Interstate 5, as the fire is visible from a number of vantage points north of Yreka.

Kidder 2 Fire – Located ten miles southwest of Fort Jones in the Marble Mountain Wilderness on the Salmon/Scott River Ranger District.

This lightning caused fire is currently at 141 acres at 15% containment.

The Kidder 2 Fire is located in the wilderness and the remote, rugged terrain continues to challenge firefighter access and fireline construction. Helicopters are supporting suppression efforts on the ground by performing bucket drops and supplying firefighters on the ground with mission critical firefighting equipment.

The Pacific Crest Trail passes nearby, and hikers are advised to avoid the area, due to the smoke and the possibility of fire spread.

The 5545 and 5546 trails will be closed to public entry effective September 11, 2019. Closure order and maps are available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices

Forest visitors can contact the Salmon/Scott River Ranger District Office at (530) 468-5351 for additional information or alternative recreational opportunities in the area.

Additional information and daily updates:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/KlamathNF

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Klamath_NF

Telephone: Joshua Veal (530) 841-4485

# # #

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

ORDER NO. 19-05-006

FIRE RESTRICTIONS

KLAMATH NATIONAL FOREST

The Middle Fire was declared contained on October 5, 2019 at 4:25 p.m.

Final Update unless significant activity occurs

The Middle Fire is now 89% contained and is 1,335 acres in size. Except for the southwest corner, very little heat remains on this fire and management objectives are to keep the fire within the current footprint. Today crews will be working on securing the southwest corner of the fire in Canyon Creek where there is still heat and conducting suppression repair work. A total of 167 personnel are currently assigned to the Middle Fire.

In order to provide protection for the public and firefighters fighting the Middle Fire, a Closure Order has been issued for areas potentially affected by the Middle Fire, including Ripstein Campground, Canyon Creek Trailhead, Trail 10W03, Trail 10W06, and Trail 10W08 south of Canyon Creek Falls. The Middle Fire was started by lightning on September 5, 2019 and is located northeast of the Canyon Creek Trailhead in the Trinity Alps Wilderness.