Wisps of smoke are visible within the footprint of the fire area, as the temperatures rise, and sheltered fuels continue to dry out. A final piece of line will be constructed today, reaching from the S Canal Rd to the fire’s edge. Crews are beginning to “time out”, reaching the end of their working days here and either returning home or being reassigned to other fires. With moderated fire activity, remaining crews have been busy with the start of suppression repair work. In the last two days, almost 10 miles of hose lay from S Canal Road and Agency Creek have been backhauled and crews have been busy rolling it to send back to the cache.
 

It’s not often realized how much work goes into this stage of a fire. In the coming weeks, dozer line will need to be naturalized and the rest of the equipment will be removed off the fire line. The objective is to leave it in as good condition, or better, than we found it.  

The Big Knife Fire is currently 1.25 miles north of the Rattlesnake Wilderness Boundary (Lolo National Forest) with no significant growth towards the Lolo National Forest in the last week. Smoke from the fire may impact the Snowbowl area, however the Lolo National Forest does not have any forest closures in place on the Missoula Ranger District.

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES: Several areas near the base of the mountains west of the Big Knife Fire remain in PRE-EVACUATION WARNING by order of the Lake County Sheriff. See the map for those locations in yellow (Jocko, Canal, Francis). The Tribal Primitive Area, Belmore Slough and Burnt Cabin Roads are closed.

A PRE-EVACUATION WARNING means you may remain in your home. Individuals in this status should not bring back evacuated livestock until this status is lifted. 

A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in effect around the fire area. Do not fly unmanned aircraft (drones) near the fire areas.

Weather: With the passage of a weak, dry cold front, cloud cover will increase. There is a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms, with wind gusts up to 40 mph off those storms. Otherwise, temperatures will remain in the upper 70s and winds will gust up to 22 mph.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Stage 1 fire restrictions are currently in place across the Flathead Indian Reservation and Lake County. Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in place in Granite County. In Stage 1 fire restrictions the following are prohibited until rescinded: Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire except within a developed recreation site or improved site. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials. On the Flathead Reservation, operating a motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails. Visit 

https://www.mtfireinfo.org/ for more fire restriction information across Montana.           

CURRENT SITUATION
The Deep Fire is currently 3,823 acres and 58% contained.

The Deep Fire again showed little growth, with the only remaining heat inside the current perimeter. Thunderstorms passed to the west and north of the fire yesterday, but outflow winds had no effect on the fire.

Crews made good progress yesterday on the line parallel to the southeastern edge of the fire to tie containment into the rocky outcroppings to the east. Hotshot crews will continue to work on that today, with the goal of completing that line in the next several days, if conditions permit.

The Stuart Fork drainage continues to hold well. Rollout from burning snags is still a threat to the line, and extra mitigation measures are being put in place to prevent anything from crossing containment lines.

The northern edge of the fire is still showing some scattered heat south of Little Salt Creek, but the fire has not moved in several days. Crews continue to look for places to cut off northern spread. To the east, the fire has run into rock and is showing little potential for growth.

WEATHER
The next few days are expected to trend warmer and drier, with light diurnal winds blowing up-slope, up-canyon in the afternoons, and downslope, down-canyon overnight. No thunderstorms are anticipated.

ROAD CLOSURES
There are currently no road closures associated with the Deep Fire. For information on roads in the area, visit https://dot.ca.gov/

FOREST CLOSURES
There is a forest closure associated with the Deep Fire. For current information on forest closures, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/stnf

EVACUATION UPDATES
For the latest evacuation information from the Trinity County Sheriff’s Department: https://www.facebook.com/people/Trinity-County-Sheriffs-Office/100064589806351/

For information on evacuation resources from the Trinity County Office of Emergency Services: https://www.trinitycounty.org/OES

To sign up for codeRED notifications: text “TrinityCA” to 99411.

The Shasta Trinity National Forest has issued a forest closure associated with the Deep Fire.

For current information on forest closures, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/stnf.

Yesterday, fire behavior remained similar to the last few days, with areas of creeping and smoldering. Fuels on the ground are still damp due to heavy rain earlier in the week and minimal smoke was observed.

On Thursday, crews finished line construction on the western flank of the fire and will continue to mop up today. Mopping up describes the hard physical labor process of extinguishing burning material by mixing it with cool mineral soil and water when available, felling fire damaged trees, and cooling ash pits to make it less likely that the fire escapes the line or to reduce residual smoke. Today on the northern flank of the fire, crews will continue to construct line and a masticator will work to reduce fuels by chipping or grinding smaller trees and shrubs.

Aerial firefighting resources are assigned to the East Fire and are at the ready to provide water dropping missions should the need arise. An infrared mapping flight occurred Wednesday night and showed that there is still heat across the fire area, likely under the canopy in stumps or downed logs where rain did not saturate.

Values threatened include the East Mountain communications infrastructure, timber sales, trail systems, and private timber lands.

Weather: A weather disturbance moving in from the southwest will bring increasing monsoonal moisture and chances for scattered showers and thunderstorms today and into the weekend. High temperatures will be in the 60s to 70s and winds could be gusty and erratic near thunderstorms.  

Closure Area: In place for public safety and details including a map can be found on the East Fire InciWeb page.

 Air Quality: http://idsmoke.blogspot.com/

Web: https://www.fs.usda.gov/boise/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoiseNationalForest

InciWeb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/idbof-east.

An increase in fire activity indicated today that the fuels around the Happy Camp Complex are drying out. The temperature rose, and relative humidity dropped as the inversion lifted. Fire behavior transitioned from surface fire to single and multiple trees igniting. The Elliot, Ufish, and Swillup fires experienced short-range spotting and rolling material, which was the primary growth mechanism. Tonight, crews are watching these fires closely and will use tactical firing when necessary to protect the values at risk.

Progress continued on the Head fire, and direct line construction is going well. Fixed-wing aircraft were used to drop retardant on the east side of the Head fire, slowing the fire’s spread and helping crews on the ground. 

Thunderstorms have formed to the south and are moving northward toward the Elliot fire. The storms will bring abundant lightning and could challenge the fire lines with gusty outflow winds this evening. The storms may bring light to moderate rain. A Red Flag Warning will expire Friday morning at 5:00 a.m.

WEST SIDE OVERVIEW (ACRES/CONTAINMENT): Elliot (2,861 acres, 3%), Swillup (1,714 acres, 0%), Malone (276 acres, 7%), Ufish (1,161 acres, 0%)

*Though the Elliot fire did grow today, the majority of new acreage is due to adding in the acreage of the Three Creeks and Canyon fires. The three fires have grown together, now known as the Elliot fire.

EAST SIDE OVERVIEW (ACRES/CONTAINMENT): Head (6,648 acres, 19%), Block (0.1 acres, 100%), Townsend (81 acres, 100%), Den (294 acres, 95%), Gold (968 acres, 60%), Scott (367 acres, 45%), Lake (174 acres, 5%)

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 after closure due to the Happy Camp Complex. 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. 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 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 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

A virtual community meeting will be held Friday, August 25th, at 5:00 p.m. via Facebook Live on the Bedrock Fire 2023 page. There will be a live question-and-answer session following the presentations. For those who cannot attend, it will be recorded and available for viewing, and we will continue to answer any incoming questions.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced a closure of public lands south of O'Brien. These lands are closed to all forms of public access. This action is in response to large fires currently active in the area. The BLM is closing public lands in order to reduce conflicts with emergency crews and allow for fire suppression and burned area site recovery, as well as to ensure public safety, land health, and resource integrity.

This closure is effective immediately and will remain in effect until such time as conditions allow for safe use of the public lands.

See attached order and map for full details.

Klamath National Forest Fire Activity Update – August 24, 2023

Yreka, Calif. – Firefighters continue making progress on fire suppression efforts across the Klamath National Forest. Eight additional fires have been declared out since yesterday’s report, reducing the number of remaining fires down to five out of 23 total reported fires not associated with the Happy Camp Complex. These 23 additional fires have ranged in size from approximately 0.1 to 15 acres.

Higher temperatures and clear skies returned to Northern California yesterday, elevating the potential for increased fire activity. Additionally, a Red Flag Warning has been issued from 5:00 p.m. today through 8:00 a.m. Friday morning for thunderstorms and lightning, increasing the possibility for potential new starts.

Fire officials have declared the following fires out. They will no longer be reported on: Ball Fire, Boulder Fire, Box Fire, Devils Fire, Grizzly Fire, Picayune Fire, Titmouse Fire, and Whiskey Fire

Happy Camp/Oak Knoll District:

• The Berry Fire near Huckleberry Mountain is approximately 0.2 acres and has line around the perimeter. A reconnaissance flight will take place over this fire today.
• The Capitan Fire near Capitan Mountain is approximately 2 acres and has line around it. Crews are mopping up the remaining hotspots. 
• The Indy Fire along Independence Creek near the border of the Marble Mountain Wilderness. This fire resides in inaccessible terrain. Fire officials have been unable to locate the exact location due to weather and smoke. A reconnaissance flight will take place to locate this fire today.
• The Titus Fire in the Marble Mountain Wilderness south of Norcross Campground is approximately 15 acres. The fire received significant rain the past two days and is smoldering in difficult to reach terrain. A reconnaissance flight will take place over this fire today.

Salmon/Scott River Ranger District:

• The Uncle Fire near Uncles Lake in the Marble Mountain Wilderness. Fire officials have been unable to locate the fire and will continue to verify the accuracy of this report.

Goosenest Ranger District:

• No active fires to report.

Evacuation Orders and Warnings: Evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect. Monitor CodeRED and the Siskiyou County Sheriff Facebook Page for current information.

Forest Closures: The Klamath National Forest has issued an emergency closure order for two portions of the forest. The purpose of the closure is to provide for public safety in response to ongoing wildfire activity across the forest, including the Happy Camp Complex. The closure prohibits the public from entering portions of the forest in or near the vicinity of ongoing wildfire activity. The closure order also prohibits the use of roads, trails, and developed recreation sites within the closure.

• Happy Camp Ranger District Closure Location: The closure order extends from Happy Camp south to the Marble Mountain Wilderness boundary at Norcross Recreation Area. The closure continues west along the edge of the Marble Mountain Wilderness to the Siskiyou Wilderness boundary. From there, the closure runs north along the Siskiyou Wilderness, down Clear Creek to Highway 96, and then north back to Happy Camp near Curly Jack Campground.
• Oak Knoll and Scott River Ranger Districts Closure Area: The closure order is generally northwest of Scott Valley and includes some of the Marble Mountain Wilderness near Lover’s Camp. From the Wilderness boundary, the closure continues along Grider Creek north to Seiad Valley. The closure extends northeast of Seiad Valley to areas north of the Klamath River.
• A map of the closure order, including specific roads, trails, and recreation sites can be found on the Klamath National Forest Website:
  • Happy Camp District Closure: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1132183.pdf
  • Oak Knoll and Scott River Districts Closure: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1132187.pdf

The Pacific Crest Trail is closed from Etna Summit to the Oregon border.

Dillon Creek Campground is closed due to its proximity to the Elliot Creek Fire.

Highway 96 and the Scott River Road have hard closures.

Information on Klamath National Forest fires that are not part of the Happy Camp Complex can be found at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/caknf-2023-klamath-national-forest-august-lightning-fires

Information on the Happy Camp Complex can be found at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information//caknf-2023-happy-camp-complex-klamath-nf

Fire Restrictions:

Fire restrictions are in place on the Klamath National Forest. Campfires are only permitted in developed campgrounds and designated wilderness areas. Area closures are in place for the Happy Camp Complex, effective today. Full descriptions of restrictions and closures are available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices

*Please obey any evacuation Orders and Warnings that have been issued*

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