Elk Complex Update 8.2.07
Incident: Elk Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 8/2/2007
ELK FIRE COMPLEX UPDATE
August 2, 2007
Total Complex Acreage: 16,449 acres Incident Resources: 805 personnel
Total Complex Containment: 80% Cost to Date: $17,400,000 Injuries to Date (minor): 15 Fatalities to Date: 1
Expected Full Containment: 8/05/2007
Siskiyou County Public Health Officer, Stephan Perlman, M.D. again wants to advise residents throughout Siskiyou County to be aware that air quality may be extremely poor in some areas due to severe smoke today. Residents in areas with poor air quality are advised to remain indoors and refrain from physical exertion. In areas with visibility less than 2 miles, drivers are cautioned to drive carefully and to turn their headlights on as they drive through the area.
Firefighters plan to continue to use aerial ignition to burn portions of the interior of the fire on the King Creek 2/Wingate/Titus Fires. This involves releasing ping pong ball size incendiaries (PSD's) as the helicopter flies over the area to be burned. As the fire slowly backs down towards the Klamath River the percentage of containment will rise. Crews are continuing to secure established firelines. Patrol and mop up the Little Grider Fire continues.
Complex Fire Details
Of the thirty identified fires in the Elk Complex, 25 are 100% contained. The contained fires will continue to be monitored, patrolled and staffed as necessary. The remaining five fires are as follows:
- Wingate/Titus/King Creek 2 Fires is 13,381 acres (increase in acreage due to limited burning of interior) and 76% contained. Firelines have been constructed and limited burning of interior areas will continue. A closure for campers and miners, from Five Mile Bridge to Norcross Campground on Elk Creek Road remains in place.
- Elk Fire (1,144 acres) 96% contained and remains in aerial patrol.
- Hummingbird Fire (80 acres) 0% contained. The fire remains in aerial patrol.
Sources of info include: http://www.inciweb.org/ (including other fires) or the incident information office at (530) 841-4451 or (530) 493 1519. Visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath/condition/ for information on fire restrictions and local closures.
The Forest Service, in cooperation with the Siskiyou County Air Pollution Control District, has installed an air quality monitoring station in Happy Camp. Real-time data may be viewed online at http://www.satguard.com/usfs/Chart new.asp Get=4&UnitID=36&CustID=2&sDate=7/29/2007.
