July 23, 2007

ELK FIRE COMPLEX UPDATE

July 23, 2007

Total Complex Acreage: 9,085 acres               

Incident Resources: 1,145 personnelTotal Complex Containment: 22%                 Expected Full Containment: 7/29/2007Cost to Date: $8,201,274                                           Injuries to Date (minor): 8Structures Threatened: 550 The top priority is the protection of the Happy Camp, Hamburg, and Elk Creek communities. Yesterday, crews made great progress constructing fireline (see list below).  The burnout on the Little Grider Fire began yesterday and initial results were positive. An increase in smoke is expected in the Happy Camp area. Additional fire activity was observed as a result of a warming trend.  

Complex Fire Details

Of the thirty identified fires in the Elk Complex, 24 fires are 100% contained. The fires will continue to be monitored, patrolled and staffed as resources allow. The remaining six fires are as follows:

• Little Grider Fire (1,952 acres) 50% contained.  The first stage of the Perkins Gulch burnout was conducted and yielded beneficial results.
• King Creek II Fire (2895 acres) 25 % contained.  Firefighters made significant progress on the fire’s southern and western perimeters.
• Wingate (916 acres) 5% contained.  Crews established a line from Titus Ridge west to the Klamath River.
• Elk Fire (1144 acres) 40% contained.  Crews are camped near the fire and continue containment efforts.

• Titus Fire (2026 acres) 5% contained.  A recommended evacuation for homeowners, and closure for campers and miners, from Five Mile Bridge to Norcross Campground on Elk Creek Road remains in place.  Firelines have been constructed around structures.

• Hummingbird Fire (80 acres) 0% contained.

 Evacuation Planning:

The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office has taken steps to locate an evacuation center at Seiad Elementary School in the event evacuation becomes necessary.  Individuals with special needs, such as those requiring mobility assistance, need to notify the Sheriff’s Office ahead of time.

In the event of an evacuation, small animals will be accepted at Seiad Elementary and large animals may be taken to the Karuk Ranch at China Grade Road at the two-mile marker.  All animal owners are asked to be responsible for the feeding and care of their pets at both locations.