#HappyCampComplex Friday Evening Update August 29, 2014 Photos: Firefighters on the Frying Pan Fire and Faulkstein Fire Size: 44,549 acres total for the complex Containment: 15 percent for the complex Date Started: August 11, 2014 Estimated Containment Date: September 8, 2014 Estimated Cost to Date: $26.6 million Total Personnel: 1,972 Committed Resources: 48 crews, 11 helicopters, 131 engines, 18 dozers, 27 water tenders Mandatory Evacuation orders are in effect for the below areas. People in areas under mandatory evacuation should be aware they may not be able to reenter the evacuation area until fire danger has passed. The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Department will be patrolling 24 hours in the evacuated areas. Due to increased fire activity of the Happy Camp Complex, the following evacuation orders are currently in effect: Mandatory Evacuations Scott River Road from Bridge Flat to the intersection of Hwy. 96 All areas south of Hwy. 96 between Scott River Road down river to Cade Summit Advisory Evacuation All areas north of Hwy. 96 between Scott River Road and Grider Creek An evacuation center is located at Winema Hall at the Siskiyou County Fairgrounds, 1712 Fairlane Road, Yreka. Both large and small animals will be accommodated at the Fairgrounds. Large animal transport can be arranged through the Sheriff’s Posse. Contact Jodi Aceves, (530) 340-2422 to arrange transport. For more information contact the Siskiyou County Sheriff Department at (530) 841-2900. Fire Information: On the Faulkstein Fire, firefighters continued work along the south side of the fire improving line along Scott River Road and Forest Road 46N64. Fire activity has moved well into the Grider Creek and Kelsey Creek areas. Incident managers responsible for Zone 1 (west) and Zone 2 (east) are working in close coordination as the Frying Pan Fire and Faulkstein Fire have merged. Along the north side of the fire, where Scott River Road ties into Hwy 96, patrolling, monitoring and preparation for structure defense continues. This defense may not be necessary in some areas but must be planned. Structure protection has been established in the areas of Seiad Valley, Scott River Road and along Highway 96. Structure defense groups utilize hose and sprinkler systems to assist in fighting fire. Additional duties include locating water sources and clearing of combustibles around structures. In the Seiad Valley dozer lines continue to be developed to improve control lines. The predicted dry cold front has arrived and gusty northwest winds are present. This condition will prevail until 8 p.m. and then decline throughout the night. An active night of fire activity is expected on both zones of the Happy Camp Complex. Fire operations have increased traffic on Scott River Road. Traffic control has been implemented over a one-mile section of the road. Travelers should expect delays. The Frying Pan Fire grew 12,310 acres on Thursday to 38,989 acres and is 10-percent contained. Fire activity today over much of the Happy Camp Complex was a repeat of what took place yesterday. Once again large pyrocumulus smoke columns formed over the fire during the day and early evening. Containment lines near Happy Camp and on the west side of the fire continue to hold. Helicopters are working a single new half-acre spot fire on the fire’s west side. Today the Frying Pan Fire grew mostly to the east and northeast. The fire is threatening approximately 200-250 structures within evacuation areas. Completed and ongoing protective actions include limbing trees, clearing brush, removing yard debris and brushing roads. A total of 131 engines are supporting fire suppression and structure protection activities within both zones of the fire. A couple of spot fires were contained on the fire’s south end. Fire activity in this area has slowed as it moves into the 2008 Panther Fire perimeter. The north edge of the fire is holding, though the fire is pushing to the north and northeast in the Grider Creek area. A Community Meeting will be held on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 7 p.m. in Happy Camp at the Karuk Tribe Senior Nutrition Center (64101 Second Avenue). Team members and Klamath National Forest representatives will present information and answer questions about the Happy Camp Complex fires. Forest Closure Order No. 14-05-755 is in effect for Klamath National Forest lands affected by the Happy Camp Complex. For details on this closure and other fire area closures, please see fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices. Approximately 75 percent of the 1.7 million acre Klamath National Forest remains open to forest adventures. Weather and Fire Behavior: Tonight minimum temperature will be in the low to mid 50s with a weak to moderate inversion layer. Tomorrow should be partly cloudy with smoke and temperatures in the high 70s to low 80s with westerly ridge winds of 5-10 mph with gusts 12-15 mph. Fire will remain active into the night with primary fire spread from spot fires caused by rolling materials and tree torching. Safety: A Clean Air Respite Center is located at the Karuk Tribe Senior Nutrition Center in Happy Camp (64101 Second Avenue). The center is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily and will remain open longer if needed due to smoky conditions. Air quality: Tomorrow stronger northwesterly winds, cooler temperatures, and better smoke dispersion continue into the weekend. Conditions will still be smoky for communities southeast of the fires but better dispersion should provide a few hours of cleaner air. By Saturday evening smoke impacts could reach Weaverville and Redding. For air-quality details, visit californiasmokeinfo.blogspot/
Posted on: Sat, 30 Aug 2014 05:10:34 +0000
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