A heat map shows fires in the Klamath National Forest.
© InciwebA heat map shows fires in the Klamath National Forest.
The following is a press release from the U.S. Forest Service:

Lightning from thunderstorms over the last several days has ignited roughly 29 fires over the western side of the Klamath National Forest. More lightning is forecasted for today, and additional new fires are anticipated due to the volume of lightning that has been received.

All but four of the fires are on the Salmon-Scott River Ranger District and are being managed as a single incident called the River Complex. The largest of these fires is the Cronan Fire, which is located 3.5 miles northeast of Sawyers Bar. It has been reported as 20 acres in size. Yesterday, helicopters and air tankers were used to limit the fire's spread while ground crews work on gaining access. Five of the fires have been contained and two have been called out.

The Happy Camp Oak Knoll District had two lightning fires on Friday, one near Buckhorn Bally Lookout and another in the Lime Gulch area, south of the Brown Bear boat launch on the Klamath River. The Bally Fire is now contained, and the Lime has been called out. On Saturday, an additional single tree fire was reported in the Slater Fire burn scar. A fourth lightning fire on the district, the Glade Fire is .25 acres on Sterling Mountain near the Oregon border.

Firefighting resources are stretched thin responding to these lightning-caused fires. Numerous resources from outside the Klamath National Forest are working on these fires to supplement local suppression resources, including Smokejumpers, heli-rappel modules, and contracted fire engines and hand crews. CAL FIRE's Siskiyou Unit is also providing assistance. Additional resources have been requested to support suppression operations. Demand for suppression resources is high in Northern California due to multiple incidents.

The public can help support firefighters by preventing human-caused fires. Practice extreme vigilance with anything that can start a wildfire. Fire restrictions are in effect on the Klamath National Forest, which prohibits all campfires outside of developed campgrounds. Remember, one less spark equals one less wildfire.

Additional information on Klamath National Forest lightning fires can be viewed on Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7738/.