A forest fire in Siskiyou County has grown quickly. The Gap Fire started on the Klamath National Forest 20 miles west of Yreka Saturday night from an unknown cause. After explosive growth Sunday night the fire slowed slightly as a cloud cover moved in and humidity increased, but it’s still spreading at frightening speed as it burns through very heavy timber. Nine houses have been destroyed, including 6 occupied homes and 3 vacation homes. Numerous mandatory evacuations are in place for Horse Creek and Hamburg, with an advisory for Scott Bar. Highway 96 is open, though traffic is being escorted through with a pilot car and drivers are warned that burning materials could roll down onto the road. The Forest Service, the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office and Cal-Fire would welcome any clue the public can provide as to the cause of the fire. The latest estimate is 8820 acres. There is no containment.
Tactical placement of fire lines has halted the growth of an arson fire near Hoopa in Humboldt County. The Tulley Fire was started intentionally around 4 O’clock last Monday afternoon off of Highway 169 northwest of Weitchpec. It’s burning on very steep and rugged terrain and crews have been trying to contain burning material that rolls down the steep hills out of the fire zone. The Tulley Fire has burned about 599 acres, with 70% containment. 3 structures have been destroyed, including at least one residence.
A fire near Yreka is all but defeated. The “Grade Fire” started last Wednesday afternoon about 2 miles north of Yreka off Highway 263. The fire burned 710 acres and 10 buildings, including 5 houses. It’s now fully contained and all evacuations have been lifted. When the fire was still raging, several people captured photos of “firenadoes”, or funnel clouds of fire.