A Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) drops retardant on the Klamath Hills Fire. (KCFD1, Facebook)

UPDATE 4:49pm 7/19/18

Investigators from ODF, KCFD1, and BLM look for clues regarding the fire's cause at a point of origin off Lower Klamath Lake Road. (Submitted Photo)

As of 4pm, the Klamath Hills Fire is still estimated at 75 acres. Although the heat is a concern for firefighter safety, ground crews, with support from air resources, are making good progress with containment, which has increased to 20%. Firefighters will conduct burnout operations in rocky terrain on the southern flank this afternoon to help strengthen and hold containment lines.

Responders will be actively working the fire for the rest of the day and into the evening. They are also still investigating the cause of the fire. Additional fire starts were reported late this morning along Tingley Lane, but were quickly suppressed; it is unclear if they are related.

Lower Klamath Lake Road remains closed for responder use only; no other closures or evacuations are necessary at this time. Responding agencies to the Klamath Hills Fire include

Oregon Department of Forestry, Klamath County Fire District 1, Fremont-Winema National Forest, BLM Lakeview District/Klamath Falls Resource Area, Kingsley Field Fire, Klamath County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management, Merrill Police Department, and Oregon State Police.

UPDATE 12:22pm 7/19/18

The fire on Lower Klamath Lake Road has been named the “Klamath Hills Fire”. It is estimated at 75 acres with 5% containment. Responders will likely be actively working the fire for the rest of the day and into the evening, and anticipate operating in the area for several days.

Original Story:

At approximately 0930 this morning agencies were dispatched to multiple fire starts along Lower Klamath Lake Road, just southeast of the intersection with Cross Road. One of the starts took off uphill across private lands and is burning in dry grass and light fuels in an easterly direction towards BLM lands.

No structures are threatened at this time, but Klamath County Sheriff’s Deputies have alerted six residences to be aware of the situation. The cause of the fire is under investigation by Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), with assistance from the Sheriff’s Office.

A Unified Command between Klamath County Fire District 1 and ODF has been established. Ground and air resources are actively attacking the fire, and therefore Lower Klamath Lake Road is closed to allow responders safe access to the scene.

Fire danger in our local region is rated High at this time – however, ODF will be categorizing fire danger as EXTREME starting tomorrow, July 20; other agencies may follow shortly thereafter.

Information provided by Klamath County Sheriff's Office, Klamath County Fire District 1 and Oregon Department of Forestry.

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