Wildfire Update: Klamathon Fire Exceeds 30,000 Acres [VIDEO]

Klamathon Fire as seen overnight from the Mount Ashland Ski Road. Flames can be seen behind Pilot Rock on the left. July 8, 2018 (Image: Matthew Newman)

Klamathon Fire as seen overnight from the Mount Ashland Ski Road. Flames can be seen behind Pilot Rock on the left. July 8, 2018 (Image: Matthew Newman)

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Information current as of July 8, 2018 at 7:00am

Moderate fire behavior with uphill runs and short range spotting was observed overnight with good overnight humidity recovery. The fire continues to burn moderately to the southeast and continues to spread into the Klamath National Forest.

The fire is well-established in the Horseshoe Ranch Wildlife Area and private timber stands .

Klamathon Fire Public Information Map 

Klamathon Fire Public Information Map 

The south flank of the fire is threatening the Osburger Cabin Cultural Site, as well as the Verizon communication site on Horn Peak. The fire continues to threaten the communities of Hornbrook, CA, Hilt, CA, and Colestin, OR.

Approximately 600 homes in these areas remain threatened. The east flank is threatening two power plants at Iron Gate Reservoir and Copco Lake Reservoir.

Water systems for the communities of Yreka and Hornbrook are currently threatened. Endangered species habitats are threatened on the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument and Soda Mountain Wilderness. The Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad, Inc. is currently threatened.

 

Klamathon Fire as seen from the Mount Ashland Ski Road. These visible flames race up a hillside west of Interstate 5 near Hilt, California. (Image: Matthew Newman)

 
Incident Facts
Incident Start Date July 5, 2018
Incident Start Time 12:31pm
Incident Type Vegetation Fire
Cause Under Investigation
Incident Location Off Klamathon Road and Copco Road, near Hornbrook, Calif.
CAL FIRE Unit Siskiyou Unit
Unified Command Agencies CAL FIRE, Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office, Oregon Department of Forestry
Size 30,500 acres
Containment 25%
Expected Full Containment Unknown
Civilian Injuries 0
Civilian Fatalities 1
Firefighter Injuries 3
Firefighter Fatalities 0
Structures Threatened 810
Structures Destroyed 72
Structures Damaged 9
Assigned Resources
Engines 176
Water Tenders 12
Helicopters 14
Hand Crews 73
Dozers 18
Air Tankers Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the State are flying fire
suppression missions as conditions allow

Evacuations

The following evacuations have been issued.

CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS

Evacuation Orders:

  • The communities of Hornbrook, Hilt, Colestin and Irongate Reservoir.
  • Klamath River Community Estates: east of Black Mountain to Desavado
  • Road, south of Copco Road and Ager Beswick Road. East Iron Gate Reservoir
  • Estates: Areas south of Iron Gate Reservoir/Copco Road, north of Ager/Beswick Road, west of Desavato Road and east of Snackenbury Creek.
  • Copco Lake Area:
  • Areas east of Jenny/Fall Creek, south of the Oregon State Line, north of Copco Road and west of Topsey Grade

Evacuation Warnings:

  • East of the Yreka Western Railroad to Iron Gate Reservoir and South to Copco/Ager and North to the CA/OR State line.
  • Pheasant Valley area: East of Interstate 5, south of the summit of Black Mountain, west of Ager and north of Yreka Ager Road.
  • Airport Road area: Southwest of York
  • Road, west of Airport Road, north of Shelly Road and east of Ager Road.
  • Bogus Creek area: South of Ager Beswick Road, east of York Road and west of Bogus Creek. 

OREGON RESIDENTS

After an assessment was made this afternoon regarding the current Jackson
County, Oregon evacuation notifications in place, fire and law enforcement
managers have decided the evacuation levels will remain. As a reminder, the following areas in Jackson County are currently at a Level 3 (red) "Go" evacuation notice:

  • Colestin Road area from the Oregon-California border to the Mount Ashland Ski Road.
  • Highway 99 from the Oregon-California border to the Mount Ashland Ski Road.

In addition, the following areas will remain at a Level 2 (yellow) "Be Set" evacuation notice:

  • The Mount Ashland Ski Road from Mount Ashland down to Highway 99.
  • Old Highway 99 to just below Callahan's Lodge.

Evacuation Center:
Jackson Street Elementary School, 405 Jackson Street, Yreka, CA 96097. Ashland High School is currently closed but will reopen as an evacuation center if necessary. 

Animal Evacuation Centers

  • Small Animals can be taken to Jackson Street Elementary shelter
  • Large Animal Shelter: Siskiyou County Fairgrounds, 1712 Fairlane Rd, Yreka

Road Closures

  • Ager Rd at Klamathon Road
  • Ager Rd at Shelly
  • Copco Rd at Ager Road
  • Copco Rd at I5
  • Klamathon Road at I5
  • Hilt at I5
  • Ditch Creek Road at I5

Cooperating Agencies

Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office; CAL OES; California Highway Patrol; CALTRANS;
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; American Red Cross; Pacific Power & Light; National Weather Service; California Conservation Corps, Medford BLM, Redding BLM, Oregon Department of Transportation, Oregon State Police, Klamath National Forest, Rogue River - Siskiyou National Forest, Fruitgrowers Timberland Co-Op


Klamath Falls News coverage of the 2018 Wildfire Season is brought to you by Excel Auto Body.

We at Excel Auto Body appreciate the brave men and women wildland firefighters that put themselves in harms way to protect our greatest treasures. Thank you for all that you. 

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