Single Publication

Location: Siskiyou County, CA

Size: 10,225 acres

 Cause: Under Investigation

Start Date: Wednesday July 3, 2023, at 1:27PM

Percent Contained:   1%      

Personnel: 2,752

A community meeting will be held tonight at 7:00 p.m. at the Etna High School Cafeteria, 

400 Howell Ave., Etna, CA 96027. The meeting will also be livestreamed on both the 

Klamath National Forest and CAL FIRE Siskiyou Unit Facebook pages.

CURRENT SITUATION:                                                                                                          

Last night, helicopters were utilized to support engines and hand crews in strengthening containment lines. Firefighting personnel continue their round-the-clock efforts to enhance containment lines and structure defense in local communities.

Yesterday firefighters successfully went direct on the Shelly Fire’s northeastern front, pushing from east to west between Mill Creek and Kidder Creek. Crews went direct in the Patterson Creek drainage area and west along Patterson Road, utilizing water and retardant drops from both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. In the southern and western fronts, the fire made some small runs near Shelly Lake along the Pacific Crest Trail, prompting a swift aerial response, consistent with the full-suppression strategy. 

Away from the fire’s immediate perimeter, crews persistently work to fortify secondary lines from Kidder Creek to Whisky Butte on the eastern front, and from Scott Bar Road to Sawyers Bar Road. Structure protection plans are in place with engines strategically placed to protect the communities.  

Evacuation orders or warnings remain in place for 4,200 people in the area, with over 3,800 residential and 300 commercial structures threatened.

WEATHER:

It will be slightly warmer today with breezy southwest winds in the afternoon. Minimum relative humidity will be in the lower teens with overnight recoveries around 25% along slopes and ridges and around 40% in valleys. Terrain-driven up-slope and up-canyon winds will continue, with northwest down-canyon winds of 14-18 mph gusting to 25 mph late afternoon into evening. Saturday and Sunday will bring potential isolated dry thunderstorm activity in the fire vicinity.

EVACUATIONS:

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

Additional evacuation information and a map can be found on the Genasys site at: https://protect.genasys.com/search?z=14&latlon=41.550694%2C-122.905589

EVACUATION SHELTERS:

Kahtishraam Wellness Center - Yreka

1403 Kahtishraam, Yreka, CA 96097

Showers and cots are available.

RV Dry Camping/Parking

West Webb St. and Hoag St. in Montague

Please note, at this time, there are no extra services (sewage/water/power hookups). This is currently set up for DRY camping.

ANIMAL SHELTERS:

Animal shelters are available at the following locations(s) for those who have pets and animals that been displaced due to the Shelly Fire:
 

Dog Evacuation Shelter: 

Rescue Ranch Yreka

2216 East Oberlin Road, Yreka CA 96097

Contact: John Golay 541-698-7526

Livestock Animal Evacuation Shelter (Horses, pigs, sheep, goats, birds): 

Siskiyou Golden Fair

1712 Fairlane Road, Yreka, CA 96097 

Contact: Tom Taylor 530-340-1038 

Cat Evacuation Shelter: 

Siskiyou Golden Fair - Armory Building

1712 Fairlane Road, Yreka, CA 96097

Contact: Becca 530-340-0656

CLOSURES: 

An official closure area around the Shelly Fire went into effect on July 4th. Hikers are not permitted in the area and will be asked to leave the area. For details and a map of the closure are, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1187463.pdf.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: 

Forest fire restrictions also went into effect on July 4th. Campfires and stove fires are restricted to those developed areas listed in the forest order located at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices/?aid=88596. Smoking, welding, and operating an internal combustion engine also has restrictions in place.

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