Antelope Fire update for September 13, 2021

Photo taken from the Timber Mountain Lookout on September 9, 2021. On the Modoc National Forest (Image: Inciweb)

ANTELOPE FIRE DETAILS

Cause: Lightning
Size: 145,025 Acres
Containment: 63%

Location:
Klamath National Forest

Personnel: 755

Start Date:
August 1, 2021

Last Update:
September 13, 2021

Coverage of the 2021 Wildfire Season is brought to you by Ace Towing.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA - The Antelope fire was slightly more active than previous nights as vegetation continues to dry out from last week’s rain. Crews are actively patrolling lines and extinguishing any remaining heat during night shift. Some heat was detected in dry fuels near Tamarack yesterday, and additional resources arrived late yesterday to help access and suppress that heat overnight. Activity increased in Lava Beds National Park overnight as well, as was expected with the drier conditions.

The south/southwestern area of the fire remains relatively cold, with only isolated interior heat showing. Firefighters are continuing mop up as those heat sources are identified.

Today, emergency soil stabilization and hazard tree removal will continue in that area. Crews will mop up the area around Tamarack today, assuring that no heat escapes containment lines. Line improvement continues on Forest Road 77 east of the Three Sisters area, and on the finger west of Sheepy Ridge.

Good work by firefighters in the last few days has resulted in less heat in that area, but crews will continue to patrol and make sure no heat is detectable that could threaten containment.

Crews are stationed currently at Lava Beds National Monument, and the park largely remains closed to visitors. The eastern entrance and northern road to Gillem Bluff and Captain Jack’s Stronghold is open, but there is no public access past that point.

The southeastern area of the fire, especially along Forest Road 77, is the priority for day shift crews because of the potential for northwest winds. Crews will continue to prepare the road, clearing vegetation and bettering the chance for containment in the thick mixed conifer forest there. They are also working on several contingency lines to be used if winds make primary lines unviable. The biggest area of concern is between Fourmile Creek and Crater Glass Flow, and crews will focus there.

Antelope Fire Infrared Map for September 13, 2021. Click to enlarge.

Evacuations
There are currently evacuation warnings in Siskiyou County. For the most current and accurate evacuation information for Siskiyou County, please visit: https://www.211disasterupdate.com/2021-siskiyou-fires or facebook.com/SiskiyouCountySheriff. Residents should stay alert for changes in evacuation status and sign up for emergency alerts using CodeRED at: https://www.co.siskiyou.ca.us/emergencyservices/page/codered-emergency-alert.

There are currently no evacuation warnings or orders for Modoc County.

Weather & Fire Activity
The weather today is expected to be similar to yesterday, with light and variable winds this morning turning to the northwest in the afternoon. Temperatures are predicted to increase slightly through Wednesday, bringing poor overnight humidity recovery and dry afternoons.

Near-critical conditions are expected Tuesday and Wednesday as another trough approaches the fire area. A low-pressure system is expected to enter the area later in the week, bringing first gusty winds with the potential for wetting rain over the weekend.

Restrictions
To better provide public and firefighter safety due to the ongoing California wildfires, the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region has issued a temporary closure of all National Forests in California. This closure will be in effect through September 17, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. For more information, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r5/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD949139

Smoke
A Smoke Outlook for the Antelope Fire is available at https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/NECalifornia. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease should take precautionary measures.

Klamath Falls News & Cascade Firewatch’s coverage of the 2021 Wildfire Season is brought to you by Ace Towing.

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