With drier and hotter weather in the forecast, increased fire activity is anticipated over the next few days. Yesterday's showers kept the fire from gaining significant growth. This allowed firefighters to move to an offensive approach where they can now focus on opportunities to go both direct and indirect on the fire. With the rainfall also comes hazardous debris, such as mud, downed trees, and rockfall; ultimately causing fire personnel to work more cautiously in these areas of the fire.

The one to three inches of rainfall last night over the eastern portion of the fire helped firefighters to gain ground on tying in handline throughout night operations. Crews are making good progress on the 200–300-acre spot fire from a few days ago on the northern edge of the fire.

Additional fireline has been constructed from Humbug Ridge to Baldy Gap aiding in securing the fire’s edge. The fire has progressed to Collins Baldy Lookout in the south and is backing towards Scott Bar and the Humbug Creek Drainage, where the fuel load is heavy with dead and down trees. Hand crews were able to cut handline along Scott Bar to get access on the western edge of the fire.

COMMUNITY MEETING:

A community meeting is scheduled for tonight, August 3, at the Scott Valley Junior High School starting at 7:00 p.m. The address is 237 Butte Street, Fort Jones, CA, 96032.

The meeting will also be livestreamed on https://bit.ly/McKinneyFireYouTube and the CAL FIRE Siskiyou Unit Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CALFIRESKU for those not able to attend in person.

Questions desired to be answered are appreciated in advance and can be sent to 2022.mckinney@firenet.gov

WEATHER:

Temperatures are forecasted in the low 90’s with low relative humidity and chances of thunderstorms in the afternoon just east of the fire. Gusty west winds are possible, ranging from 15-20 miles per hour in drainage areas.

EVACUATIONS:

Multiple Evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect. For current updates on evacuations, visit https://www.facebook.com/SiskiyouCountySheriff and https://www.facebook.com/SiskiyouCountyOES

Additional evacuation information and a map can be found on the Zonehaven site at: https://community.zonehaven.com/   

A shelter has been established at the Weed Community Center, 161 E Lincoln Avenue, Weed, CA 96094. Highway 96 remains closed through the fire area.

CURRENT FOREST ORDERS :

Fire restrictions are in effect on the Klamath National Forest. For more information, visit

https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices/

Pacific Crest Trail Information: https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/closures