Month: August 2007

Fire Siege of 1987 Remembered

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Happy Camp “87 fire by Jim Waddell Happy Camp “87 Fire by Kerry Waddell

20th Anniversary of Fire Siege ’87

The above photos of Happy Camp during the ’87 fires are by Jim Waddell and Kerry Waddell respectively. Thank you for sharing the photos with Happy Camp News readers!

Just two days before Labor Day, 1987, after a summer of rainless heat had baked the woods to kindling, over 11,000 lightning strikes hit and the western states began to burn. During the following 8 weeks the worst fires in nearly 100 years devastated 9 states, including 1,300 square miles in California and Oregon. The wildfire devastation included 406 square miles of the Klamath National Forest and became known as “Fire Siege ’87”.

During the first week of the fires 1,274 people were involved with fighting 20,675 acres of wildfires on the Klamath National Forest. By the eighth week 75 wildfires had burned a total of 258,764 acres, or 15%, of the 1.7 million land base of the Klamath National Forest.

The lives of three firefighters were claimed by “Fire Siege ’87” on the Klamath National Forest. Heavy smoke trapped by temperature inversions plagued firefighters and rural residents for weeks on end. Firefighters from across the country, including U.S. military, federal,  state and county agencies, as well local residents joined forces to combat the fires. At the peak some 8,003 people battled the wildfires.

The parallels between “Fire Siege ’87” and the recent China-Back and Elk Complexes are impressive,  stated Forest Supervisor Peg Boland. “It takes all of us working together to manage a major fire suppression incident. The help we recently experienced is an excellent example of working together to successfully achieve a common goal that benefited the communities as well as National Forest natural resources.”

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Happy Camp’s
Bigfoot Jamboree
Coming to Town!

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by Judy Bushy

Friday night, August 31st  is the grand coronation of the Bigfoot Queen in Happy Camp. The event will take place in the River Park Pavilion at 6 PM in the evening. Following the presentation of the Queen and her court, the teen dance will begin.

Saturday will be a big day with food, crafts and other vendors all day at the park. The traditional Salmon BBQ with cook Bill Cook, will also be held.

Sunday is the “Wild West” parade at 11 o’clock beginning by the post office on Davis Road, down Highway 96 to Second Avenue where the parade turns down and over the bridge over Indian Creek. Kenny and Donna McCulley will be the Grand Marshalls of this years parade!

Come for fun and enjoy visiting with your neighbors along the banks of the wild Klamath River!

Bigfoot Jamboree

Seiad Day Fun 2007

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Bill and Peggy with the backcountry trail team at Seiad Day

By Judy Bushy

Seiad Day is a big event in the little town of Seiad Valley. Being one of those little places along Highway 96 where you might be missed if someone closed their eyes, they nonetheless are not lacking in community spirit. This is especially true when it comes to the local Seiad Valley Volunteer Firefighters!! The firefighters are greatly appreciated and supported by the community. One way is by the Seiad Day activities.

This year Seiad Day began with a Fun Run. You could Run (or walk) one mile or three and get your blood pumping for the rest of the day’s activities. Then it was time to line up for the Seiad Day parade. First came the sirens. The rescue vehicles came down the street and the crowd cheered their appreciation of them, although the kids scramble for candy. Mario Gomez was driving the Forest Service truck with Smokey Bear!

Connie, Rebecca, Gwen and Pat are the lady Miners from Mid River RV park and about the ‘best old crazy’ gold diggers call themselves. Mid-River Lady Miners.

River Valley 4H Club had Philomena, Rita, and Zoey Walsh, Jeffrey Kanawyer, Abigail Eadie, Natalie Driskell, Gabriella, Michael and Christopher Riehm, Nonna Simmons with their current year awards and projects. They gave special Thanks to Jennifer Johnson for her help with the Gardening project and Richard McLearan and Seiad Mini-Storage for donation of the quad for their float. The 4 H leaders are Danielle Riehm-Cruz and Rebecca Sehuh.

Chris and Max on bicycle and cart behind the bike represented River Connection Realty encouraging bystanders to see Mom, Carol Nelson at River Connection for all Realty needs.

Wes Timbrook was driving Brian Helsapple’s State of Jefferson tractor. Brian Helsapple was the man who started the Seiad Day and for many years was the announcer. Brian was also the ‘spark’ behind the Klamath River Chamber of Commerce and an active leader in not only birding and such, but also many community activities.

All the Way from Happy Camp were Gini, Ivan and Jerry in a balloon-covered car inviting one and all to come buy antiques at Siskiyou House! Ron Heatherington drove his Model A Ford from ’29.

Representing the Boy Scout Troop and Cub Scout Pack 52 was Vickie Simmons, Chairman and James Simmons, Jeffrey Kanawyer, and Michael Riehm. Some others who were in both 4H and Boy Scouts didn’t make the quick change to go around twice.

Then came the horsewomen, Sam O’Reilly rode Joey; Victoria Jones rode Sammy and Kelsea McLearan. Peggy Goshgarian came on Sunny and Hellsley while Bill had Freddy. Bill later introduced me to Johnny and Florence and some of the other mules who are so friendly and like big Labrador dogs who like to be petted and scratched and given some attention. These are some of the animals that help packing in work crews and supplies to accomplish work on the trails of the wilderness areas.

After the parade there were numerous games for the children, and a bounce house that looked like a clown that was particularly fun. Snow cones and popcorn were available thanks to teenage helpers. They also did the ping-pong ball toss, the shotgun (cork) duck targets, the twirling wheel of prizes and other games for the little tykes.

In the meantime the Horseshoe tournament was getting started on the lawn. Smokey Bear was posing for pictures while his helpers handed out posters and goodies for the kids. There were beautiful wooden toys and objects for sale by a woodworker. The Klamath Valley Four H Club had a display of trophies, plaques and ribbons that they had won, some from the fair. Chicken poop bingo was also surrounded by crowd cheering the reluctant fowl on.

One of the big fundraisers is the auction of donated items. There were woodworking, sewing, ink stitches and paintings. Almost every imaginable craft has a craftsperson in Seiad Valley busy making something to auction at the Fire Hall. It was fun just to see all the items. A Care-bear Quilt and an old barn sketch were some of the items. White Elephant items, some really treasures, were offered at silent auction. The bidding was hearing up all morning to be the last to make the winning bid!

Hamburgers and snacks were also available at the Seiad Fire Hall. Later in the evening a big dinner would take place and the evening end with a community dance with Bluestews making music.

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7th Annual Kids Fair Saturday!

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By Judy Bushy

The 7th Annual Kids Fair was held last Saturday at the beautiful River Park in Happy Camp. There were games like Duck Duck, Goose with water balloons. Great fun for a hot day! Thanks to the CHP officers that were there, families were able to have free CHP car seats and installation. The officers kindly answered families’ questions on keeping children safe when traveling. They had video and a survey to fill out too.

Besides the games and prizes for the kids, they loved the dental booth. Vickie Waddell gave the children new toothbrushes, brushing timer, and even gum that is good for your teeth. One little gentleman must have reminded me a million times, that it was good for his teeth!! (Maybe a slight exaggeration!)

The fishing pond was one of the favorite games for the kids, and some even got big teddy bears. Sue Hillman helped children make puppets with glitter and markers and glue and all that fun stuff. There was a table to paint a hat.

There was a raffle for adults, too! Rita Manley, “Queen of the Universe” — well, I asked, so she jokingly told me I could call her that, was taking a survey on what services the Family Resrouce Center might provide to the community. Some of the suggested items were GED assistance and Seniors’ programs. They already do so many things that it is honestly difficult to think of anything not covered yet. They are always looking for ways to be of help in our isolated little town of Happy Camp.

Cliff Stockton cooked up the hotdogs for lunch. There were free hot dogs, sodas, and water which was welcome on that hot afternoon.  Sno cones were also a popular item.

There was a tortoise to talk to. His name is Barstow. And Smokey bear arrived with helpers to hand out stickers and things to the kids!

Kids books give away was from the First 4 program for preschool age children who will have a good start in school due to this boost to literacy. What a wonderful time under the shady trees in the grassy area at the right fork of the park drive. It was a pleasant afternoon to share with community members and visit with neighbors.

Thanks to Dorcas and all the sponsors and volunteers that helped make this a great day. It had to be moved from July due to the fire danger when it was initially scheduled. It ended up being a celebration that our town still stands together!

Sponsored by: HC Family Resource Center in partnership with Siskiyou First 5, Domestic Violence, CHP,Ca Office of Safety Health Childhood Injury Prevention Program, Parrys Market, Clinic Pharmacy, Pepsi Cola, Scott Valley Bank, Siskiyou Telephone, Crystal Geyser Bottle Water Co. & Others.

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Reminiscing the First Annual Karuk Reunion

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By Judy Bushy – copyright 1997 “From the River” column

Originally printed in the Siskiyou Daily News, Monday, December 1, 1997

The Karuk Tribe of California had its first Reunion recently. Tribal members and their families came from all directions, including some from Florida, Idaho and Alaska, Alvis (Bud) Johnson Tribal Chairman, flew back from Washington D.C. Where he had been working for the tribe.

One of the most popular spots was a collection of old photos. A case of photos of the elders was unlabeled the guessing was interesting to see who could name all of the people in the pictures.

Crafters had jewelry and etched glass to share, but most of the sharing was old friends, cousins, and family members meeting after many years. Some were meeting an extended family member for the first time.

Indian card games, played with sticks to the accompaniment of drumming were drawing a large crowd to cheer on the Happy Camp team or the Yreka team. Many of the booths were informative. One could have blood pressure or sugar level checked at booths by the Karuk health Services. Net door the Karuk Housing Authority had information on the housing developments for the tribe.

Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce, whose president is Harvey Shinar, had T-shirts available to commemorate the reunion. The black red and gray shirts had a single white feather pointing down, the symbol of a tribesperson traveling in peace.

To top off the day full of memories and reminiscences, some of the elders of full Karuk blood were presented on the stage by Bud Johnson: Fanny Fisher, Violet Super, Carolyn Brown, Francis Davis, Charles Robert Thom, Vera Vena Arwood, Lucille Albers, Louis Lloyd Jerry, Barbara King, Priscilla Dean Ainsworth, Nancy Lee Super, Lafayette Jerry, Deanna Rose Harris, Charron Davey Davis, Ida Jean Quimayosie, Shirley Jerry, and Margaret Vera Huston were honored. Vera Arwood gave a welcome in the Karuk language. Salmon had been prepared over the fire all day for the special Reunion Dinner.

Karuk Tribe

Some Closures Lifted on Klamath River Access

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The Klamath National Forest Announces the Reopening of Three Existing Klamath River Closures and Continuing One Closure

Yreka, CA–Klamath River access has been reopened for the following areas; Indian Creek Access, Curly Jack Day Use Access, and Chamber’s Flat River Access. This is a result of increased containment of the Elk Complex wildfire and reduced conflict with helicopter operations. However, boaters need to avoid landing on the fire side of the Klamath River (east or south side depending on the orientation of the river segment). Hazards still exist in the fire area including loose rocks and debris, as well as a high number of rattlesnakes.

Based on concern for the safety of the public and firefighters, the Wingate Bar River Access area, located in the W ¼ of Section 5, T.15 N., R.7 E., HM, continues to be closed to launching of boats.

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