Shelly Fire Expands to 487 Acres, Prompts Closures and Evacuation Warnings

Siskiyou County, California– The Shelly Fire has expanded to 487 acres, according to a news release from the Klamath National Forest on Saturday. In response to the growing fire, several areas within the Klamath National Forest and Marble Mountain Wilderness have been closed, and forest fire restrictions were implemented Thursday night.

The Shelly Fire Closure Area includes multiple trails, such as the Pacific Crest Trail from Etna Summit to the Junction with Shackleford Trail, Shelly Fork, Kidder Creek, Hayes Meadows, Etna Mill Creek, Right Hand Fork, Cabin Gulch, and North Fork from the Mule Bridge Trailhead to the junction with Right Hand Fork.

Due to the fire’s activity, the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office, supported by fire management partners, has issued an evacuation warning for the following zones:

SIS-2301 (Fire footprint)
SIS-2200 (South Kidder Creek Road)
SIS-2102 (North of Kidder Road)
SIS-2206 (North of Patterson Creek Road, South Kidder Creek Road)

On Friday, four Interagency Hotshot Crews worked along the Pacific Crest Trail to construct additional handline. Southeast of the fire, crews scouted for further containment options. Firefighters accessed the Mule Bridge area from the south and moved north to identify access to the fire. The fire grew by 42 acres in the Pointers Gulch area during the late afternoon, and helicopters were deployed to limit the fire’s growth.

Today, crews on the northern side continued working along the Pacific Crest Trail and took opportunities to work directly at the fire’s edge, utilizing aircraft to support their efforts. On the southern side, firefighters accessed the Mule Bridge area and continue north to Pointers Gulch. North and South contingency groups have been established and are coordinating with CAL FIRE. According to Air Attack reports this morning, the fire has not crossed the retardant line on Razor Ridge, and helicopters are actively working to prevent any spot fires.

The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag Warning from 3 to 8 p.m. today, citing gusty winds and low humidity as potential hazards.