UPDATEÂ Aug. 8, 2022: Mckinney fire sitting at 60,044 acres with containment sitting at 30%.Â
Minimal forward fire progression is expected as the McKinney Fire continues to show patterns of backing alignment.
More containment line has been secured around the fire's perimeter as firefighters continue to make headway.
Crews tied in their fireline with adjacent crews along the eastern portion of the fire from the south fork of Humbug Creek to Dunn's Gulch, bringing containment to 30% across the fire. Mop-up operations are in effect where containment is established in order to solidify the control along the eastern portion of the fire.
Fire crews have successfully established line along the rugged terrain on the western edge of the fire.
Fire is backing down towards Mill Creek where the dozer line appears to be holding. Contingency groups are working to secure structures.
The northeastern section of the fire, just west of Skunk Creek, holds heavy fuel loads of dry fallen timber and snow brush. This area has potential to pose challenges for firefighters, so fire crews are bolstering resources in that area.
The Smokey Fire, near Beaver Creek, received rapid response from initial attack resources on the McKinney Fire. It has reached 50% containment in just one day. The 34-acre fire has been fully surrounded with handline and hose lays as firefighters continue to monitor and patrol the fire.
YREKA, Calif.-- According to U.S. Forest Service Officials in the Klamath National Forest, containment on the McKinney Fire has increase to 30% after sitting at 10% over the last few days.
We've also learned that the Smokey Fire is 34 acres and is 50% contained.
For the latest information on evacuations in Siskiyou County please visit this link.
SISKIYOU COUNTY, Ore. - Fire officials say they're making good headway against the McKinney fire and that fire behavior on the Yeti fire has slowed down.
McKinney fire: It now sits at 59,636 acres with a containment level of 10%. Officials say firefighters continue to make great progress around the perimeter of the fire with opportunities to go direct and put in aggressive handline while working to tie-in those lines with adjacent divisions. Crews continue to get depth on containment lines on the west side of the fire.
The main tactic remains the same as fire personnel work to secure direct and indirect line construction on all sections of the fire. Weather is playing a major role in this fire's behavior. Slope and terrain driven runs still influence rate of spread. Thunderstorms continue to creep into the forecast with isolated cells, potentially creating outflow winds that could produce erratic gusts up to 30 mph. Contingency lines from bulldozers are in place around much of the fire's perimeter should the firefighters' lines not hold, in order to protect the communities at risk. Flanking and backing continue with the weather and terrain driven fire behavior, especially in the Mill Creek area.
Mop-up operations have been initiated along Walker Bridge and other communities along Highway 96 from Highway 263 junction to Seiad, east towards Yreka, Scott Bar, and Horse Creek on the west. Protection of human life and the safety of the firefighters remains the main priority.
Yesterday in the early afternoon, the Smokey Fire ignited just north of the McKinney Fire, about 2 miles south of the Oregon border. With resources on the McKinney Fire so close by, firefighters were able to quickly respond for initial attack on the 34-acre spread. Firefighters have control line and hose-lays completely around it and aircraft continue to be utilized in the area as needed.
Yeti fire: It now sits at 6,436 acres. According to officials, fire behavior moderated overnight with cooler temperatures and little wind. While there is still a considerable area of the fire without completed containment lines, crews worked successfully on the fire's edge to hold it where they have been completed, including along the China Grade Road on the fire's southwest corner.
The fire had crossed over that intended containment line on Wednesday, but crews have been able to get dozers around that slopover and still consider that line viable. That containment is shaky, however, and secondary lies are being constructed on the Wolf Creek Ridge, south of the fire's active edge. To the east, crews have been able to pull fire all the way to their containment lines west of the Pacific Crest Trail and Grider Creek Road. They will continue to improve and mop up that line today. The fire was active along the Highway 96/ Klamath River corridor overnight as it backed down to the river. Engines monitored for spots and held the fire successfully there.
