Panther Fire Update for 8/13/08
Incident: Panther - Klamath Theater Wildland Fire
Released: 8/13/2008
Panther Fire
August 13, 2008 - 9:00am
Update: Yesterday there was active surface fire with a short run in the Coon Hollow Drainage on the northwest portion of the Panther Fire. Crews worked to establish containment lines in this area to prevent future runs. The west perimeter of the fire continued to slowly back down toward the Klamath River, and has reached the river in some places. Firefighters worked with local river rafters to access portions of the fire due to the extremely steep terrain. Highway 96 remains limited to one lane through the fire, as debris continues to roll down onto the Highway. The night shift continued to mop up and monitor the west portion of the fire for roll out on Highway 96 and also mopped up in the Bishop Creek area.
Today higher temperatures and lower relative humidity is expected as a strong, high pressure builds over the area. Crews will continue to improve established line and mop-up on the south and west boundaries of the fire while monitoring the gradual progress of the fire to the Klamath River which is acting as a natural barrier. Highway 96 will continue to be impacted until the fire reaches the river.
Crews will also continue to construct line in the Coon Hollow drainage to seal off the fire and prevent the fire from spreading in that area.
Location: 15 miles south of Happy Camp, California
Current Size: 21,663 acres
Jurisdiction: US Forest Service, Klamath National Forest
Containment: 35%
Estimated Containment Date: 8/28/2008
Cost to Date: $10,500,000
Cause: Lightning Injuries: 4 Fatalities: 1
Resources: 16 crews, 21 engines, 4 dozers, 15 water tenders Total Personnel: 660
Cooperating Agencies: US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Park Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service, Siskiyou County Sheriff, Cal-Trans
