Bonanza, Ore. Very warm temperatures and dry conditions continue over the Elk and Hagelstein fires. Strong wind gusts are expected to reach 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon, keeping firefighters on the lookout for falling snags and any changes in fire behavior.
On the Elk Fire crews continue to increase the mop-up depth of the fire’s perimeter using infrared (IR) flights and palm IR to identify and eliminate hot spots. Firefighter efforts have widened containment lines to a depth of 150 feet or more throughout the fire. Additionally, crews have begun suppression repair work to prevent erosion and runoff. Improvements in mapping data reduced the total acreage for the Elk Fire.
Yesterday on the east side of the Hagelstein Fire, the handline completed by night shift held strong preventing the fire from crossing the fireline. Operations continue to strengthen all fire control lines by increasing the depth of mop-up and removing snags that have the potential to fall or roll beyond the fire’s perimeter. Additionally, fire crews are performing fuel reduction and grading on roads to strengthen contingency lines and improve access for firefighters.
Oregon Department of Forestry’s Team 1 is grateful for the cooperation with the local communities, industrial timber owners, private businesses, Oregon Department of Transportation, public utilities, Klamath County Fire Districts 3 and 5, the Klamath County Sheriff, and local and federal government agencies that have been essential for the successes accomplished by this team.
Areas of smoke can be expected in the Klamath Basin from local and regional wildfires, air quality may be unhealthy for sensitive groups at times. Visit https://www.oregonsmoke.org/ for air quality information and ways to reduce impacts from wildfire smoke.
On Thursday the Klamath County Sheriff changed evacuation levels around the Elk Fire. For the latest evacuation information, please visit: https://protect.genasys.com/search
A temporary flight restriction remains in place Federal Aviation Administration – Graphic TFRs over both incidents.