Orleans Complex Update: After a Lull in Fire Activity, Today’s Hot and Windy Weather Conditions Have Firefighters on Alert
Fire continues to burn in the Six Rivers National Forest. Photo provided by U.S. Forest Service. | Joe Mazzeo
The latest information form the U.S. Forest Service:
Nineteen fires comprise the Orleans Complex, thirteen of which have been contained. Six remain active: Ukonom (4,121 acres, 52 percent contained); Haypress (4,225 acres, 0 percent contained); Burney (1,342 acres, 0 percent contained); Forks (243 acres, 0 percent contained); Frank (27 acres, 0 percent contained); and Hooligan (0.1 acres, 0 percent contained). They are being managed using a combination of containment and confinement strategies.
Current Fire Situation: The fires showed little growth over the past 24 hours. However, firefighters will be on the lookout for increased fire activity today due to predicted rising temperatures and lower humidity. The southeast corner of the Ukonom Fire showed the most activity overnight. The Ukonom Fire is backing slowly east toward Lick Creek and Ukonom Creek, but has not yet crossed either.
The Haypress Fire was minimally active overnight. Firefighters conducted a successful burnout operation from Forest Road 13N04 to Forest Road 12N05. Structure protection is in place for four historical cabins near the Haypress Fire, and firefighters removed unburned vegetation near the cabins to reduce potential fire threat. The fire in the Wooley Creek area of the Marble Mountain Wilderness continued to show heat. Crews will continue to remove brush along Forest Road 15N17 to prepare for fire coming out of the wilderness by removing brush. Planning for tactical firing along Forest Road 15N17 will continue today.
Weather: Warming and drying is predicted today as a mid-level ridge to the southeast gradually expands over the region. Smoke will settle in the valleys in the morning, then clear mid- to late- afternoon as the inversion lifts. Winds are expected to increase; gusting to 18mph along ridgetops.
Air Quality: Many areas in the vicinity of the fires were impacted heavily by smoke yesterday. While smoke will continue to linger in local valleys and communities, the warmer, drier conditions and potential for increased winds are expected to bring some dispersal this afternoon and evening. Areas to the north and east of the fires are expected to experience the most smoke. Happy Camp, Seiad Valley, the Scott Valley, Yreka, and Sawyers Bar can expect conditions to be Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.. Air quality in locations to the south and west of the fires including Orleans, Weitchpec, and Hoopa Valley will likely experience smoke levels considered Unhealthy or Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. For more information on air quality, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/wildfires/smoke.html.
Safety: Bow hunting season is open. Firefighters may be conducting suppression activities in hunting areas. Portions of the Six Rivers National Forest are closed. Contact your local ranger station for current closure information. Motorists traveling on State Highway 96 are reminded that there will be numerous firefighting vehicles on the roadway. Please drive with caution.
Closures: There is a closure order in effect on the Six Rivers National Forest. The following are links to the Forest Order and the map of the closure.
Hikers wanting to access the wilderness should contact Orleans Complex Fire Information 619-359-3415 or Orleans District Office 530-627-3291 for information on affected trails.
A portion of the Happy Camp Ranger District near the Ukonom Fire is closed for the duration of the fire due to the risks associated with active wildfire. The closure extends from the bank of the Klamath River east to the Independence Creek Road and includes Ukonom Creek. Please review Klamath National Forest, Emergency Closure order number 17-05-797 for complete details at https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd554008.pdf.
Temporary Flight Restriction Area (TFR): A TFR is in effect over the fire area to provide a safe environment for firefighting aviation operations (http://bit.ly/2ws6uQq).
Burning Restrictions: The Six Rivers National Forest remains under fire restrictions to provide for public and resource safety. Details about these restrictions can be found on the forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/srnf.
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