California wildfires: Kennedy Fire in Whiskeytown NRA contained; 3 firefighters injured

Jessica Skropanic, Redding Record Searchlight
·6 min read
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Firefighters battled new wildfire starts and older blazes burning in the North State this week.

Conditions are very dry despite isolated pockets of rain. This week, the National Weather Service issued heat advisories in the Sacramento Valley including Shasta, Siskiyou and Tehama counties, and in the mountains including Siskiyou, Trinity and Humboldt counties.

Here is a roundup of fires that have been burning in the North State.

Kennedy Fire, Shasta County

The 45-acre Kennedy Fire burning near Whiskeytown Lake was 100% contained as of noon Friday, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area's Fire Management Officer Jake Akerberg said.

Firefighters stopped forward progress on the fire between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Thursday, park Superintendent Josh Hoines said.

"We're just mopping up some interior heat (hotspots)," Akerberg said on Friday.

Three firefighters suffered heat exhaustion while fighting the blaze, officials said. They received medical treatment and were released from care.

The Kennedy Fire, which broke out about noon Thursday after a head-on collision on Highway 299, ignited nearby grass and burned about 45 acres near Whiskeytown Lake.
The Kennedy Fire, which broke out about noon Thursday after a head-on collision on Highway 299, ignited nearby grass and burned about 45 acres near Whiskeytown Lake.

Both lanes of Highway 299 are open, but Kennedy Memorial Drive and several backroads in the park remain closed Friday, Akerberg said.

The Whiskeytown Visitor Center is open. For information on visiting the park call 530-246-1225.

The fire started around noon on Thursday at the park's eastern edge, along Highway 299, about 10 miles west of downtown Redding. It sparked when an SUV collided head-on with a big rig, California Highway Patrol Sgt. Tim Hinkson said. The SUV's driver died and the semi-truck driver was injured.

The fire quickly grew to 25 acres, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. People evacuated from the park's headquarters, visitors center and East Beach.

By Thursday evening, one-way traffic controls were in place on Highway 299 between the small town of Shasta and the visitor center, the California Department of Transportation said.

McKinney Fire, Siskiyou County

The McKinney Fire burning west of Yreka remained 60,392 acres in size on Friday, the Klamath National Forest said. It's still 95% contained.

Highway 96, which cuts through the burn area, was open to piloted traffic between Beaver Creek to Kohl Creek this week, the California Department of Transportation and the Forest Service said. Other roadways within the burn area are closed except to residents.

A helicopter fills with water by dipping its snorkel in the Klamath River as part of firefighting efforts on the McKinney Fire in western Siskiyou County.
A helicopter fills with water by dipping its snorkel in the Klamath River as part of firefighting efforts on the McKinney Fire in western Siskiyou County.

Anyone planning to travel to this or other fire areas should check current road conditions at roads.dot.ca.gov, Caltrans said.

Klamath National Forest officials announced Wednesday that lands in the Happy Camp/Oak Knoll and Salmon/Scott River Ranger Districts are closed to all but U.S. Forest Service staff and firefighters. These include:

  • Ash Creek River Access

  • Johnson Bar River Access

  • Cayuse River Access

  • Skeahan Bar River Access

  • Blue Heron River Access

  • Beaver Creek Campground

  • Sarah Totten Campground

  • Tree of Heaven Campground

  • Brown Bear River Access

  • Humbug OHV Recreation Area

  • Gottville River Access

For more information and a map of areas off limits go to bit.ly/3Td9iJ1.

All McKinney Fire evacuation orders and warnings were lifted, the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office said. However, the burn area is "under a Health Emergency Proclamation due to the amount of toxic materials and debris."

Yeti and Alex fires, Siskiyou County

All evacuation warnings were lifted for the Yeti Fire, burning between Seiad and Happy Camp in the Klamath National Forest.

Combined, the Yeti and Alex fires remained at 7,886 acres throughout the week, according to the U.S. Forest Service. They are 90% contained, and are burning in isolated pockets of brush south of Highway 96.

U.S. Forest Service officials say, "Helicopters have been a vital part of firefighting operations throughout the duration of the Yeti Fire."
U.S. Forest Service officials say, "Helicopters have been a vital part of firefighting operations throughout the duration of the Yeti Fire."

Areas of the Klamath National Forest near the Yeti Fire are closed to the public include:

  • The Cold Spring Trailhead

  • Gordons Ferry River Access

  • Grider Creek Campground

  • Grider Creek Trailhead

See the McKinney Fire for more forest closures and road condition information.

Read more: Kennedy Fire sparked by Highway 299 collision grows to 25 acres

Six Rivers Lightning Complex, Humboldt and Trinity counties

On Friday, the Lightning Complex of fires — burning in the Six Rivers National Forest near Willow Creek — is 67% contained, up from 33% containment on Thursday, according to the Forest Service.

The fire was downgraded to 25,399 acres on Friday, after the forest service reported it reached 26,000 acres earlier in the week.

A view of the Campbell Fire on Aug. 8, with members of the Mad River Engine 343 crew on Peach Tree Road.
A view of the Campbell Fire on Aug. 8, with members of the Mad River Engine 343 crew on Peach Tree Road.

"Fire activity was minimal overnight with only one instance of fire spotting outside of the control lines, and that was quickly contained," the Forest Service said. "Control lines are holding well."

Of the 12 lightning-caused fires, the Campbell and Ammon fires are still active, according to the Forest Service. Firefighters are working to protect homes, roads and bridges and important wildlife habitats.

Related: Despite rain, wildfire risks and high temperatures persist 

Crews continued to work this week on containing the fires and extinguishing remaining pockets of heat inside the control lines. This work is mostly on the west side of the Cambell Fire and in the Ammon Fire area along Six Road/Ammon Ridge, the Friday Ridge System and from Titlow Hill southwest of Willow Creek to Highway 299.

Wildfire smoke is making it hard for motorists to see on parts of Highway 299 and Highway 96. Both highways are open, but that could change, Caltrans said. Roads leading to evacuation zones are closed. Go to quickmap.dot.ca.gov for updates on road closures.

The complex of fires started on Aug. 5. While causes are still under investigation, it's believe dry lightning from area thunderstorms caused the fires.

Oak Fire, Shasta County

Firefighters are mopping up after the Oak Fire, burning about 16 miles north of Highway 299, and about 19 miles north of Montgomery Creek, in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

It scorched an acre of wilderness south of Iron Canyon Reservoir, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Fire Update: The Oak Fire, reported this morning, is estimated at 1.5 acres. Geographic location is Oak Mountain, south of Iron Canyon Reservoir. A hose lay is in place around the fire and crews are working to improve the handline around the fire. Multiple fire resources are on scene, including smokejumpers, hotshot crew, helicopter, engines, plus other support.

Posted by U.S. Forest Service - Shasta-Trinity National Forest on Thursday, August 18, 2022

Curly Fire, Siskiyou County

Evacuation warnings were lifted on Thursday for people living near the site of the Curly Fire on Curly Jack Road near Happy Camp, according to the Siskiyou County Sheriff's office.

For evacuation updates go to www.facebook.com/SiskiyouCountySheriff or community.zonehaven.com.

Ranch Fire, Shasta County

The 1.9-acre Ranch Fire that started Tuesday morning near Lakehead is fully contained, according to the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

Firefighters continued to mop up the area.

Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and entertainment stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: California wildfires: Kennedy Fire contained, 3 firefighters injured