Link Trail Fire Burns Canyon and Conger Heights Park

Link Trail Fire ignites near the Link River Dam between Upper Klamath Lake and Lake Ewauna. July 10, 2018 (Brian Gailey)

Link Trail Fire ignites near the Link River Dam between Upper Klamath Lake and Lake Ewauna. July 10, 2018 (Brian Gailey)

Firefighters battle the Link Trail Fire early in the initial attack. July 10, 2018 (Brian Gailey)

This afternoon, the Link Trail Fire stated near the Link River Dam in the City of Klamath Falls. Climbing the Link River Canyon into Conger Heights Park where firefighters from Klamath County Fire District 1, Oregon Department of Forestry, US Forest Service, and Keno Fire work to contain the fire.  

Early estimates stated approximately 30 acres were burned.  Later that number had been scaled back to 10 acres. 

According to South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership (SCOFMP), the following equipment is currently working the fire: 

  • Eight firefighting engines,
  • one heavy air tanker,
  • one Single Engine Air Tanker,
  • two helicopters with water buckets,
  • two support aircraft,
  • and a bulldozer. 

An Oregon Department of Forestry Firefighter uses water from a ODF Wildland Firetruck to extinguish hotspots of the Link Trail Fire in the area of Conger Heights Park off Highway 97 in Klamath Falls Oregon. July 10, 2018 (Brian Gailey)

"The fire has reached 10% containment with all forward growth of the fire stopped. Early Estimates of 30 acres has been reduced to approximately 10 acres in size. All aerial resources have been released," stated Craig Anderson, Fire Marshal for Klamath County Fire District 1 in an email to Klamath Falls News.  "All ground units are working on containment and mom up. Swift efforts on all involved helped stop forward fire growth."

For a few hours, Highway 97 through Klamath Falls was closed and cars were detoured so the aircraft could attack the fire. Oregon State Police asked residents of homes neighboring Highway 97 to move back due to the risks of the falling retardant. 

Evacuations were not issued for any residents in the area.

Fire managers are utilizing a full suppression strategy to contain the fire. Structures and community safety are at risk from the fire; there are no injuries or damage to structures reported at this time.

Residents and visitors are asked to be aware of their surroundings and watch for traffic from increased fire personnel and smoke in the area.

The Link Trail Fire falls within the jurisdiction of the Klamath County Fire District 1 and thus is the lead on the fire. The cause of the fire in under investigation at this time. 

Klamath Falls News will continue to update the Link Trail Fire as information becomes available. 

 

Video from the fire

 

More Photos


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