CALIFORNIA—Wildfires continue to plague California at its northern border near Oregon. Dry weather and high winds have been fueling fires, making them fast-forming and difficult to control. The uncontrolled burn has smoldered many structures in its path, and on Friday July 6, the wildfires claimed its first victim.
Details on the wildfire victim have not been disclosed to the public, but the death is attributed to the Klamathon Fire. The fire threatened the town of Holbrook, a small town less than 15 miles from the Oregon border.
The Klamathon Fire continues to blaze through private timber property, as well as the Klamath National Forest and the Horseshoe Ranch Wildlife Area. As of Tuesday, July 10, the fire was only 45 percent contained by the time it crossed the border into Oregon.
Conditions on the ground have improved. A spokeswoman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Cheryl Buliavac, said, “The conditions are a little less smoky and the sun is coming in a little more, but the downside to that is that the fire behavior is more active.”
“Having the visibility, we’re able to get aircraft in there,” Buliavac added.
By Sunday afternoon, over 2700 people were working on the Klamathon Fire. Three firefighters have been injured while battle the fire.
Evacuation orders were in effect for the communities of Hornbrook. Copco Lake Area: Areas east of Jenny/Fall Creek, south of the Oregon State Line, north of Copco Road and west of Topsey Grade.
Evacuation Warnings have been issues for the communities of Hornbrook, Hilt, Colestin, as well as the Iron Gate Reservoir. The Klamath River Estates – East of Black Mountain to Desavado Road and south of Copco Road to Ager Beswick Road. East Iron Gate Reservoir Estates areas south of Iron Gate Reservoir / Copco Road, North of Ager Beswick Road, West of Desavado Road and East of Snakenbury Creek.
An evacuation center is available to residents at the Jackson Street Elementary School located at 405 Jackson Street, Yreka, CA 96097. Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout both California and Oregon are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow.
Written By Candace Buford and Donald Roberts
