CA-KNF Gap Fire, Klamath National Forest, 33,867 acres and 85% #CAfire

Gap Fire Daily Update: September 13, 2016

Happy Camp, CA—The Gap Fire, on the Klamath National Forest, is 33,867 acres and 85 percent contained. The acreage increase is due to a change in mapping methods. The acreage figure includes all acres—burned and unburned—within the fire perimeter. Two community meetings are scheduled: one today, September 13, at 6 pm at Seiad Valley fire station and one tomorrow, September 14, at 6 pm at Horse Creek Community Church. Motorists might experience temporary closures on Highway 96 due to fire-suppression activity or crews moving equipment. Residents and visitors in the area are likely to see smoke and occasional fire as unburned vegetation continues to ignite inside the fire perimeter. During yesterday’s operational period a red-flag warning for gusty winds and low relative humidity began at 2 pm. Although the northwest firelines were tested, crews successfully kept the fire within containment lines. Elsewhere around the fire perimeter, firefighters mopped up containment lines, repaired contingency lines, and backhauled excess equipment and trash.  The red-flag warning has been lifted. Today, firefighters will concentrate on locating and extinguishing isolated heat sources along the western perimeter to keep the fire from spotting over the last remaining section of uncontained line. These heat sources range from smoldering tree stumps to burning interior islands of vegetation. Helicopters will be available for water drops. Additional firefighters and heavy equipment are on standby and will respond to new fire starts as needed. Crews will continue to backhaul, mop up, and patrol the firelines. South of the fire area, firefighters are repairing contingency lines—dozer and hand lines—constructed during the fire-suppression phase. A Forest Closure remains in effect for areas affected by the Gap Fire on the Klamath National Forest. The Beaver Creek Road is closed at the intersection with West Beaver Creek Road (47N01). Beaver Creek Road remains open to the east 2118(48N01). The cause of the Gap Fire is still under investigation. If you have information pertaining to the fire investigation, please contact the US Forest Service Tipline for the Klamath National Forest at 530-841-4474 For additional information on air quality, please visit http://californiasmokeinfo.blogspot.com/ andhttp://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/ For additional information and pictures, please visit http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4997/   Firefighting Resources on the Gap Fire     Crews 19 Engines 43 Heavy Equipment 11 dozers, 30 water tenders, 1 masticator, 5 chippers, 5 excavators Helicopters 3 Fixed Wing Aircraft Ordered as needed Total resources 1,082

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