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Above: Hoses are a vital tool for fighting wildfires.
Here, firefighters unload an order of hoses, nozzles and other
equipment that will be used today to battle the Naylox Fire.
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Containment lines around the Naylox Fire 11 miles north of Klamath Falls held overnight, and containment is now reported as 15 percent. The fire’s size is estimate at over 400 acres. The fire started near hay barns the afternoon of August 29. The cause is still under investigation.
The threat to structures in the area has been considerably reduced. Therefore the unified command between Oregon Department of Forestry and Klamath County Fire District 1 (KCFD1) will transition today solely to ODF, led by Incident Commander John Pellissier.
Crews overnight continued cleaning up dozer control lines, capitalizing on the good work performed yesterday by ODF’s two helicopters that were able to drop water on the fire most of the day. Day shift on the fire now numbers 70 firefighters and support personnel. Their main objectives are:
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find and neutralize hot spots around the perimeter of the fire
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continue tying in containment line
Evacuation levels along Algoma Road at the base of Naylox Mountain have been reduced to Level 1, Be Ready. Algoma Road remains closed for emergency personnel and local resident use only between Old Fort Road and Highway 97 North. The FS9718 Road is also still closed to allow firefighters safe access. Travelers along Highway 97 North are asked to be vigilant in watching for emergency vehicle traffic and to reduce speed as necessary.
Pacific Power will begin working on repairing the utility line that was damaged on Algoma Road so that electricity can be restored to the one residence that lost power due to the fire.
A temporary flight restriction is in place within a 3-mile radius of the fire for firefighter safety.
KCFD1 Fire Chief John Spradley attributes holding the Naylox Fire thus far to the partnership between local, state and federal fire agencies in Klamath County. “Our cooperation and strong relationships allowed us to work well together from the get go on Tuesday,” he said.