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Updated 5:25 p.m. on August 9
Cal Fire posted on Twitter that a Red Flag Warning is in effect for parts of Siskiyou and Modoc counties from 2 – 11 p.m. Monday for strong gusty winds and low relative humidity. Gusty winds could contribute to fire spread. This is critical fire weather.
Containment on the McKinney Fire was at 60% on Tuesday evening, with fire crews keeping a close eye on changing weather conditions that could make it hard to control the 60,389-acre blaze in Siskiyou County.
The blaze has virtually wiped out the town of Klamath River. At least four people are confirmed dead. Initial damage assessments Friday showed 132 structures have been destroyed, including 87 homes. Around 4,500 structures remain threatened.
“Sunday, Monday this week, we have extremely unstable conditions in the atmosphere. Very hot, dry. Very similar to when this fire started,” Dennis Burnes, a fire behavior analyst with the California Interagency Incident Management said during a Saturday morning update on the McKinney Fire.
Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue echoed those concerns in a post on Twitter on Saturday morning.
“The next 2 days are expected to be nearly identical as to when the #McKinney Fire began. We will not get complacent. We’re asking you to have the same mindset. Please be ready to evacuate.”
Also on Saturday, evacuation orders were issued for the Six Rivers Lightning Complex fire in Humboldt County.
Fire officials identified 12 lightning caused fires on Friday. Crews were able to put out four of the blazes early on. That fire had more than doubled to 1,100 acres as of Sunday morning with no containment. Officials continued to describe it as a “very active emerging incident.”
Evacuation information is at the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services Facebook page and the Trinity County Office of Emergency Services Facebook page.
On Friday, evacuation warnings expanded for the Yeti and Alex Fire complex burning west of the McKinley Fire near the community of Happy Camp.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Siskiyou County over the weekend.
An evacuation map is available here, and resources for evacuees are listed on the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Facebook page.
In Mariposa County, firefighters continue to gain ground on the Oak Fire burning near Yosemite National Park, and all evacuation orders and advisements have been lifted in populated areas as of Aug. 2. The fire destroyed 193 structures, including 127 homes.
The Oak Fire was 92% contained as of Sunday morning and remained at about 19,000 acres burned.
Check airnow.gov for the latest air quality forecast in your area.
This post will be updated with the latest information on these fires when it is made available. Sign up for emergency alerts in your county to be notified of evacuation warnings and orders.
Here are the fires we’re following. Click to get more information:
Here are some resources on how to prepare for wildfire and follow fire information:
- Tracking Wildfires: Where To Find Information During California Fire Season
- How To Prepare For A Wildfire (including how to sign up for emergency alerts)
- Fire FAQ: How To Understand What You Hear About Wildfires
- What To Know About Air Quality During Fire Season
- The Air Is Full Of Dangerous Wildfire Smoke And Viral Particles. What’s The Best Protection For Your Health?
- Wildfire Particles Can Get Into Your House And Make You Cough. Here’s How To Keep Them Out.
- Wildfires In California Will ‘Continue To Get Worse,’ Climate Change Experts Explore Why
McKinney Fire
Counties: Siskiyou
Where to Get Information
- Inciweb incident page
- Siskiyou County Sheriff Twitter
- Siskiyou County Sheriff Facebook
- Cal Fire Siskiyou Twitter
- Cal Fire Siskiyou Facebook
- Klamath National Forest Twitter
- McKinney Fire YouTube channel
- Information lines: (530) 643-0279, (530) 289-8920.
Acreage and Containment
As of 5:34 p.m. on August 9, this fire was 60% contained and had burned 60,389 acres.
Evacuations
Here’s where you can find the latest information on evacuations:
Six Rivers Lightning Complex
Counties: Humboldt
Where to Get Information
- Inciweb incident page
- Humboldt County Sheriff website
- Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services Facebook
- Trinity County Office of Emergency Services Facebook
Acreage and Containment
As of 11:30 a.m. on August 9, this fire had burned 8,975 acres with no containment.
Evacuations
Here’s where you can find the latest information on evacuations:
Oak Fire
Counties: Mariposa
Where to Get Information
- Cal Fire incident page
- Cal Fire Madera-Mariposa-Merced Facebook
- Fire information line: (844) 668-3473
Acreage and Containment
As of 7:38 a.m. on August 9, this fire was 96% contained and had burned 19,244 acres.
Evacuations
Here’s where you can find the latest information on evacuations:
Washburn Fire
Counties: Mariposa (Yosemite National Park)
Where to Get Information
- U.S. Forest Service Incident Page
- Yosemite National Park Facebook
- Yosemite National Park Twitter
- Yosemite Fire and Aviation Facebook
- Yosemite Fire and Aviation Management Twitter
Acreage and Containment
As of Aug. 4, this fire was 100% contained and had burned 4,886 acres.
Evacuations
Here’s where you can find the latest information on evacuations:
Fully Contained Fires
- Dates: June 28 - July 11
- Total acreage: 904 acres
- Dates: June 30 - July 3
- Total acreage: 34 acres
- Dates: June 30 - July 1
- Total acreage: 250
- Dates: July 4 - July 28
- Total acreage: 4,478
- Dates: July 18- July 28
- Total acreage: 82
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