Those “No Monument” Signs you see…

11monument1707purhome by Judy Bushy
With the Presidential election over next week, and a new president to take office in January there has been concern reviving about all the “No Monument” signs that you see up and down the River and Roads in our area. I really like the suggestion that someone made that we should add a not to the effect that PEOPLE ARE WELCOME to make the signs more friendly. However, there has been a great deal of concern in our area about the possibility that a presidential stroke of a pen could turn our whole area into a National Monument which was the reason for signs. We were asked to express our opinion on that proposed expansion to involve all of our area from Dillon Creek , north of Highway 96 and up to the Cascade National Monument by Ashland Oregon. This new area would be called the Siskiyou Crest National Monument, but there were suggestions that at the very least, the monument should not be expanded without a vote of Congress.11monument1686russ

The area around the Oregon Caves just north of us has recently been expanded, which makes more sense as the Caves area is very fragile and any effect on the watershed surrounding it has a n effect on the cave. The 480 acre Oregon Caves National Park will be increased 4,070 acres. That is quite difference from increasing the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument of 86,774 acres with the Siskiyou Crest National Monument to 686,774 acres. Even at that, the Mayor of Cave Junction didn’t expect any economic improvement from the change. In Oregon there is O & C Act that requires the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)to manage its lands for the benefit of the community which perhaps leads to more input of local residents.

With Southern Oregon and Northern California experiencing catastrophic wildfires, , federally-owned forests need more management, not less, in the opinion of many in our community.. To that end we have seen a great deal of Fire Safe Council work and input in the local Happy Camp District of the Klamath Forest and recent TREX efforts. With Happy Camp surrounded by Federal lands, the residents sporting “No Monument” signs usually believe that these lands should be available for hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation that is the hallmark of our community. When the Mill closed, promises of tourism improvements to our economy were presented. Many local businesses are dependant on tourist s, who need the forest to be accessible for recreational use., This leads to the belief that the forest should be actively managed for multiple benefits and values.

Expanding the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument ‘s management under the Antiquities Act would bring about just the opposite to those residents.
Of course Klamath Siskiyou Wilds who originally proposed the idea to the Interior Department, has a large membership who actively writes letters to support locking up the land. Our small population, who may not be as active presenting their view against the proposal except for local signs and meetings, feels greatly disadvantaged even though it is the home of generations of many families in Happy Camp. . In a way, the community’s lack of political action for what they see as the obvious best for the community, is in effect outnumbered by distant vocal strangers who want to see the area changed without concern over devastation of local economy. A www.healthy forest.com website invites participation.
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Fire Meeting Saturday Night & Wednesday

Fire Incident Command was handed over to Mike W after two weeks.

Fire Incident Command was handed over to Mike W after two weeks.


Size: 44,549 acres total for the complex
Containment: 15 percent for the complex
Date Started: August 11, 2014
Estimated Containment Date: September 8, 2014
Estimated Cost to Date: $29 million
Total Personnel: 1,972
Committed Resources: 48 crews, 11 helicopters, 131 engines, 18 dozers, 27 water tenders
First of all, for the most up to date news and opportunity to ask questions, there will be two community meetings tonight. The Seiad meeting will be at 6 p.m. at the Seiad Valley Fire Station.
In Happy Camp the meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at the Karuk Tribe Senior Nutrition Center (64101 Second Avenue). Team members and Klamath National Forest representatives will present information and answer questions about the Happy Camp Complex fires.

Mandatory Evacuation orders are in effect for the below areas. People in areas under mandatory evacuation should be aware they may not be able to reenter the evacuation area until fire danger has passed. The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Department will be patrolling 24 hours in the evacuated areas.

Due to increased fire activity of the Happy Camp Complex, the following evacuation orders are currently in effect:
Mandatory Evacuations: Scott River Road from Bridge Flat to the intersection of Hwy. 96 and all areas south of Hwy. 96 between Scott River Road down river to Cade Summit

Advisory Evacuation: All areas north of Hwy. 96 between Scott River Road and Grider Creek

An evacuation center is located at Winema Hall at the Siskiyou County Fairgrounds, 1712 Fairlane Road, Yreka. Both large and small animals will be accommodated at the Fairgrounds. Large animal transport can be arranged through the Sheriff’s Posse. Contact Jodi Aceves, (530) 340-2422 to arrange transport. For more information contact the Siskiyou County Sheriff Department at (530) 841-2900.

Fire Information: The Happy Camp Complex has grown over 13,000 acres on Friday to 57,722 acres and is 15-percent contained. The fires merged into one.

The Faulkstein Fire: Last evening fire activity was significant with fire spread to the north and east along Highway 96. A cold front passed through the area, and shifting winds with unstable air caused a smoke plume to develop leading to an abundance of embers spreading out from the main body of the fire. Communities that are threatened by the fire are Happy Camp, Elk Creek, Seiad, Hamburg, Kelsey Creek and Scott Bar. Structure protection groups composed of hand crews and engines are engaged and are placed in strategic locations to assist in protecting homes and property should the fire move into these areas.

Structure defense groups utilize hose and sprinkler systems to assist in fighting fire. Additional duties include locating water sources and clearing of combustibles around structures. The fire is also established in Tyler Meadows and moving east toward Middle Creek Meadow’s.

The Frying Pan Fire: Friday’s fire activity over much of the Happy Camp Complex was a repeat of the previous day. The fire has reached the Klamath River just east of Grider Creek. Firefighters contained a spot fire that ignited across Highway 96 between Hamburg and Seiad. The north edge of the fire is holding west of Grider Creek, though east of Grider Creek the fire is moving to the east and northeast. Containment lines near Happy Camp and on the west side of the fire continue to hold. Air operations took advantage of the clear skies, using helicopters and air tankers to drop water and retardant on the north and south ends of the complex.
The fire is threatening approximately 200-250 structures within evacuation areas. Completed and ongoing protective actions include limbing trees, clearing brush, removing yard debris and brushing roads. A total of 131 engines are supporting fire suppression and structure protection activities within both zones of the fire.
Fire activity in the south end of the fire has slowed as it moves into the 2008 Panther Fire perimeter. Tactical ignitions took place along a dozer line in this section to strengthen and extend containment lines.

Forest Closure Order No. 14-05-755 is in effect for Klamath National Forest lands affected by the Happy Camp Complex. For details on this closure and other fire area closures, please see http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices.
Approximately 75 percent of the 1.7 million acre Klamath National Forest remains open to forest adventures.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Today there will be gusty northwest winds, with daytime temperatures in the mid-50s to mid-80s; nighttime temperatures will be in the 50s. Tonight minimum temperature will be in the low to mid 50s with a weak to moderate inversion layer. The fire remained active into the night with primary fire spread from spot fires caused by rolling materials and tree torching. This will continue to be the case today. Expect an acceleration of fire behavior when the inversion lifts.

Safety: A Clean Air Respite Center is located at the Karuk Tribe Senior Nutrition Center in Happy Camp (64101 Second Avenue). The center is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily and will remain open longer if needed due to smoky conditions.

Air quality: Today, stronger northwesterly winds, cooler temperatures, and better smoke dispersion continue into the weekend. Conditions will still be smoky for communities southeast of the fires but better dispersion should provide a few hours of cleaner air. By Saturday evening smoke impacts could reach Weaverville and Redding.

Elk Complex Fire’s New Team Updates Happy Camp Meeting

The crwods are thinning at the Happy Camp Town Meetings at the Grange. There was no one from the Sheriff’s Department to tell us about evacuations. There was no one from Emergency Services telling us where to go for emergency shelter if we had to leave our homes. There was not even anyone from Mike Dietrich’s Team 1 National Team as they completed their two weeks and went home, or are going home now. Yesterday Kent Swartzlander, who was the original Incident commander on this fire, took over again.

Phulis Swanson, with Park Service patch on her shoulder, introduced the speakers. Don Hall, Deputy District Ranger for the Happy Camp District had just returned from a few days off. We were glad to see Don back, and glad that he had some time off and time for photos and jazz and “non-fire” activities.

Kent Swarzlander showed how all the fire’s are contained. There is a little concern on the east side of the Wingate/King/Titus whjere the fire had been spotty and some fuels left. But all in all, it is under control at this time. Even the little 80 acre Hummingbird Fire, although it never had bulldozers working on it has remained right at 80 acres and isn’t going anywhere. They need to keep monitoring, patrolling and mopping up. But with due diligence, it is not expected that anything will get away with flaring up and causing more problems.

 Harold Tripp mentioned that all the smoke is down in Somes Bar. That’s not pleasant, but the smoke has to go somewhere. Harold mentioned that he used to be against the backburn but has seen how well it works and has won him over.

Staffing on the fires is down from about 1200 to 900 and will likely go down to 500 strong before next weekend.  There was concern about repair and restoration that will be discussed further at the next meeting. The most common comment was to thank the firefighters, for their work and skills and professionalism. We also appreciate their help in keeping us informed about what was happening.

ONE LAST THING, is the appreciation for our own Fire Safe Council. Without the work that they and the Forest Service have done in removing fuels for a perimeter around our community this story could have had a much more disastrous ending. Duane put up a sign to thank the Fire Fighters, but we need to thank Duane Armbruster, George Harper, Carol Sharpe and all the people working on the Fire Safe Council helping year round to have our community prepared in the case of (inevitably) a wildfire. Tell them, “Thanks” when you see them, and volunteer to help them.. Next time, you may be glad that you did!!

Your Input on Healthy Forests Needed!!!


Happy Camp District Ranger Tom Mutz at Meeting to Discuss Goff Fire

by Judy Bushy, Editor.

by Judy Gushy
Before Christmas there was a meeting to discuss the Goff Fire Healthy Forest Restoration Act Project. The Project deals with the area of last year’s Goff Fire near Seiad Valley.

The next meeting is Thursday at 6:00 pm at the Seiad Valley Fire Department located at 44601 Highway 96, Seiad Valley, CA. This is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to make recommendations and share relevant information with our.

Forest Service workers who must plan and develop the purpose and propose actions for the project. The collaboration process is intended to be a problem-solving process in which a diverse group of interested parties work together early and throughout the planning process to develop widely supported solutions to questions of concern. Do some research on the Website under the Goff HFRA project where Public comments are available for viewing.For more information about this project and the collaboration meetings call Lisa Bousfield, (530) 493-1766, or email at lbousfield@fs.fed.us.

February Events

Another coming event is the Valentine’s Community Market on February 14th. Last year Kathy Harvey had flowers and plants as well as her beautiful photography and special Valentine treats for the Community Market by the Chamber office. Maria Straus had delicious cheesecakes also, yum! See the Chamber Office weekday afternoons if you have gift ideas for sweethearts on this special day that you’d like to put up a table for the Valentine’s Community Market.

Ruth Bain said that the Grange is also planning a dinner for that special day. So be sure and ask your Sweetheart out to dinner to celebrate Valentine’s day. It will be here before you know it!

See Also:

See also news of Rockin’ the Klamath on Art & Entertainment page (contents on left)

Sorry that the Calendar hasn’t been working but it will be updated by Groundhog Day!

Wildfire predominates during Rockin’ the Klamath

Cliff Mann

Happy Camp is grateful to FireFighters
Cliff Mann shared this sentiment Sunday!

Dillion Fire was the news in Happy Camp Friday.
Containment lines on the Dillon Fire held Saturday night despite strong winds causing a few flare ups inside the lines. So Dillon Fire was reported to be 80% contained and full containment was expected Monday. The Dillon Fire was ignited Friday alongside California Highway 96 approximately 15 miles southwest of Happy Camp. It involved many small roadside fires over a 20 mile stretch of highway that caused the closure of Highway 96 from Ti-Bar to Coon Creek so Rockin’ the Klamath concert goers coming up that stretch of road had to change their plans about coming to the concert. . They had 8 Type 1 crews, 3 Type 2 crews, 5 helicopters, 14 engines, 6 water tenders, and 1 bulldozer fighting the fire which is over 300 acres. Dry lightning was expected and crews were on standby should any new fires get started.

Sunday. Cliff Mann was standing outside the Forest Service on Highway 95 in Happy Camp holding a large sign saying “Thanks” to the Firefighters. That expressed the feelings of most of Happy Camp. Our firefighters and their support personnel do a great job keeping us safe from the possibility of dire results of wild fires in the forest. Thanks! And Thanks to Cliff for letting them know how much we appreciate them! Cliff is originally from the Salmon River area and has returned to the Klamath recently.

Next Saturday is the third Green Apple Putting Tournament under the giant Dream Catcher in Happy Camp. Tee Time is exactly 9:03 at the Giant Dram Catcher at the end of Davis Road. You bring your own natural branch putter, this naturally occurring putter is required. Entrance fee is a quarter at the registration desk. Dennis Day has announced that the winner will receive keys to a Buick.

For further information on the Rockin the Klamath go to the Community Page, please.

Ranger Harris Comes to the Happy Camp/Oak Knoll District

It was a pleasure to run into Ken Harris at
the Pizza House today!! We have enjoyed Alan Vandiver as our
District Ranger, and Don Hall as acting Deputy District Ranger. Don
Hall has planned to retire the end of the year and we will really
miss him a great deal. Alan has moved to the coast.

Now Ken Harris will take the helm as the new District Ranger on the
Happy Camp and Oak Knoll Ranger District. Ken was just on the
Salmon/Scott River Ranger District.
Ken’s a long-time resident of Siskiyou County, Etna precisely. His
career began as a firefighter on the Angeles National Forest and he
spent a year in Alaska before coming to the Klamath for the first
time in 1978. After earning a degree in Forest Management from
Humboldt State University in 1980, he worked on the Scott River,
Ukonom, Salmon River , and Oak Knoll Ranger Districts. Harris also
served on the Lassen National Forest before coming back to the
Klamath to work on the Goosenest Ranger District in 2006. That is
where our son Stephen has been working summers and met Ken Harris.

Ken even took a break in his Forest Service career, as my husband
Dan did, and also taught school during that time. Harris was a
consultant for private landowners as well as teaching. Theresa
teaches school at Scott River Junior High School in Fort Jones .
Together they have three children: Kari, a college student in San
Diego ; Staci, who lives and works in Etna; and Ashley, a college
student in Kansas.

As a District Ranger, Harris looks forward to working with all
interested publics and people who have different viewpoints. He
said, “The Happy Camp/Oak Knoll District has phenomenal resources.
It’s possible, and desirable, to bring differing interests together
to work toward solutions so we can manage these resources wisely.”
Harris has been a member of the Etna Lions Club, coached sports
teams, and officiated at high school and youth football in Siskiyou
County .

Personnel are changing all over the Klamath Forest . Patty Grantham,
Deputy Forest Supervisor since February 2007 and acting Forest
Supervisor for the past five months, has been named as the new
Forest Supervisor for the Klamath National Forest .

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