Fire scars visible from space. Image provided by NWS.

U.S. Forest Service:

ORLEANS, California, September 16, 2017: Hunting season is currently open.Firefighters are conducting suppression activities in hunting areas. Portions of the Six Rivers and Klamath National Forests are closed. Contact your local ranger station for current closure information.

Current Fire Situation: The most active fire on the Orleans Complex, continues to be the Haypress Fire at 20,948 acres. The Orleans Complex is currently at 27,097 acres and 53% complete, has been burning since mid-July due to multiple lightning strikes in the area at the time.

Smoke from fires north of the Orleans Complex have moderated fire behavior on the Haypress Fire over the last 24 hours. East winds are predicted at 6-10 mph for today, where south-southwest winds could push the fire further into the wilderness. The fire has hung up in the Wooley Creek area on the east flank, but continued spread further east is unlikely. East winds could test control lines over the next day. The southern portion of the fire could burn in Deer Lick Creek with movement south down Wooley Creek and the Salmon River.

Evacuations: An evacuation warning remains in effect for residents east of Highway 96 from Burns Creek south to Somes Bar, and along the Salmon River Road to Wooley Creek. Residents can stay informed of changing conditions by calling the fire information number (530-572-1129) or going to http://www.facebook.com/SixRiversNF  or https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5430/.

Air quality: Smoke from fires in the surrounding areas continues to cause moderate to unhealthy conditions. Smoke reports in the Lower Klamath River Drainage area near Weitchpec, have moved to a more “Moderate” category range then they were yesterday. Hoopa and Willow Creek are in a “Good” category range. The area nearest Orleans has now entered the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category range. Where air quality at the Salmon River Drainage area near Sawyers Bar remains in the “Moderate” category range. To view more on current categories and what they mean please visit https://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net/moniotoring/

Weather: Only subtle changes in temperature and relative humidity over the next couple of days as weak onshore flow will be observed. Winds will be generally light and from the west or terrain driven. Very light rain is possible Monday and Tuesday.