Incident Update Happy Camp Complex

Date:
08/19/2023
Time:
9:55 PM

Fire Information:: (530) 330-5441 Email: 2023.happycampcomplex@firenet.gov

Incident Facts

Name
Happy Camp Complex
Start Date/Time
2023-08-16
Incident Status
Active
Location
In Klamath National Forest, near Scott Bar in Siskiyou County.
Type
Wildfire
Cause
Under Investigation
Counties
Siskiyou
Administration Unit
In Unified Command with CAL FIRE Siskiyou Unit and Klamath National Forest Service
Unified Command Agency(s)
Klamath National Forest Service
Size
8,409
Containment
0%
Structures Threatened
643
Structures Destroyed
Structures Damaged
9
Civilian Injuries
Firefighter Injuries
Civilian Fatalities
Firefighter Fatalities

Current Situation

Situation Summary

As more resources arrived and began working on each of the fires in the Happy Camp Complex, firefighters made good progress toward the goal of full suppression. The inversion remained in place until around noon and fire activity remained moderate.

Late this afternoon, a thunderstorm cell moved over the area, creating strong winds near the Elliot, Canyon and Three Creeks Fires by Highway 96 and the Dillon Campground. Bulldozers building line around the fires had to be pulled back while firefighters concentrated on protecting structures along the highway corridor.

Due to the storm, incident resources also helped to support Klamath National Forest operations on a new fire in the Scott Valley and on the Swillup Fire. The Swillup Fire had been in patrol status. With strong winds from the storm, the fire is now actively burning.

This evening, storms continue to move through the area. Little to no precipitation is resulting from the storms, particularly in the Scott River area where the Head, Scott and Gold Fires continue to burn.

The Lake Fire was added to the Happy Camp Complex as of this morning and was estimated at 165 acres with 0% containment. Smoke Jumpers, Hotshot and Hand Crews are now on this fire, using trails and natural features for containment lines, monitoring and managing any slops over the lines.

A Damage Assessment Team is working to evaluate the damage sustained to structures within the fires. Their assessment is ongoing. As of this evening, there are nine damaged or destroyed structures.

  • Block - 1/100 acres
  • Canyon - 788 acres
  • Den Fire - 348 acres
  • Elliot - 531 acres
  • Gold - 62 acres
  • Head - 5,617 acres
  • Lake - 475 acres
  • Malone – 66 acres
  • Scott – 41 acres
  • Three Creeks – 158 acres
  • Townsend – 80 acres
  • Ufish – 243 acres

ROAD CLOSURES:

View road closures in the vicinity of the Happy Camp Complex on the Caltrans interactive map: quickmap.dot.ca.gov

AIR QUALITY:

For information smoke impacts and what you can do to protect yourself visit: https://www.airnow.gov/

Evacuation Zones

Evacuation Information:

EVACUATIONS:

View current Siskiyou County evacuation orders, warnings and evacuation center locations by visiting: community.zonehaven.com

Assigned Resources

Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the State are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow.

Engines
91
Water Tenders
16
Dozers
17
Hand Crews
30
Total Personnel
1261