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McKinney Fire Update - 8/4/22
McKinney Fire
Publication Type: News 08/04/2022
Location: Siskiyou County, CA
Size: 58,668 acres
Cause: Under Investigation
Start Date: Friday July 29, 2022 at 2:15pm
Percent Contained: 10%
Vegetation: Timber (Litter and Understory), Tall Grass, and Brush
Number of Personnel Assigned: 2,219
Tuesday’s thunderstorms dropped 1-3 inches of rain on the eastern flank of the McKinney Fire. The higher amounts fell on the eastern one third. Heavy debris flow occurred as a result in multiple drainages and blocked lower lying portions of Humbug Creek Rd. On Wednesday morning, heavy equipment was used to reestablish access into the area for the firefighters working that branch of the fire. Although a considerable amount of rain fell, many pockets of heat remain. As the area dries in the coming days, fire activity in the east is expected to pick up once again. The western half of the fire did not receive measurable precipitation.
Yesterday morning fire behavior was minimal over the entire incident with very little active burning. Pockets of heavy fuels continued to smoke throughout the morning and fire activity picked up on the western portion of the incident as fuels, heated by the afternoon sun, began to dry out. The fire was most active near Mill Creek Road in the southwest portion and Pipeline Gap in the northwest. Pipeline Gap is an area with high potential for fire spread. Helicopters and air tankers were used to support firefighters on the ground as they fought to limit spread in both areas. Aircraft dropped over 50,000 gallons of retardant during the operational period.
Progress in fireline construction has been steady but slow going along the fire’s edge. Difficult terrain and heavy fuels have been a challenge. However, dozer lines have been completed in multiple areas surrounding the fire. The fire is holding along the river’s edge east of Horse Creek along Highway 96.
An increase in fire behavior due to weather changing over the next several days will add to the challenge. Firefighters will keep a close eye on conditions today as they continue direct line construction wherever it is safe to do so. They will also evaluate options near Pipeline Gap, Bald Mountain and Baldy Gap where direct line construction may not be an option.
COMMUNITY MEETING:
A community meeting is being planned for tomorrow night in Yreka at the Siskiyou Golden Fairgrounds. Details on the time and specific meeting location will be announced shortly.
Questions desired to be answered are appreciated in advance and can be sent to 2022.mckinney@firenet.gov
WEATHER:
The fire area will be warmer and drier today. Humidity on peak and ridges started out lower today and winds will primarily out of the west this afternoon.
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