Critical fire weather could affect containment efforts on McKinney Fire
As crews continue to build containment lines around the McKinney Fire, a National Weather Service red flag warning will make for challenging conditions Monday.
"Firefighters are keeping their heads on a swivel with the red flag warning in effect, expecting periods of critical weather conditions across Northern California," the U.S. Forest said in its daily update.
Officials caution that the critical fire weather could affect fire-suppression efforts "as hot and dry afternoons, along with winds, could make control efforts difficult."
The red flag warning is in effect until 11 p.m. Monday.
As of Monday morning, the McKinney Fire had burned 60,379 acres. Containment was still at 40%, the Forest Service said.
The McKinney Fire, the state's largest wildfire to date this year, broke out July 29 near the community of Klamath River. Driven by strong winds that came up in the evening during the first day of the blaze, the fire destroyed an estimated 132 buildings, including 87 homes.
A community meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday in Fort Jones at Scott Valley Junior High School, 237 Butte St. The meeting also will be livestreamed on YouTube and the Cal Fire Siskiyou Unit Facebook page.
The cause of the McKinney Fire is still under investigation.
At least four people have died in the McKinney Fire, including a longtime fire lookout who had worked in the Klamath National Forest since 1974. The Forest Service said Monday that Kathy Shoopman, 73, died in her Klamath River home.
Meanwhile, several other fires continue to burn around the North State.
The largest of those were the Yeti and Alex fires west of the McKinney Fire. As of Monday, those two fires were just over 8,000 acres, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The Yeti Fire is 50% contained, while the Alex Fire is 80% contained.
"The Yeti Fire held again overnight. Crews continued to patrol Highway 96 to ensure that no falling snags or blowing embers cross the river and threaten containment," the Forest Service said.
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Crews continue to mop up the Alex Fire. "While little heat has been detected, there are still areas of unburned fuels within the fire perimeter, and crews are being extremely cautious to make sure that no pockets of heat remain," the Forest Service said.
Fires that make up the Six Rivers Lightning Complex are burning in the area of Willow Creek in eastern Humboldt County. Those fires had torched 6,773 acres as of Monday. There is zero containment.
The fires burning in far Northern California have cost federal and state agencies about $34.75 million in suppression costs, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The McKinney Fire alone has cost $28 million.
David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly "Buzz on the Street" column. He’s part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 1-530-338-8323. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Critical fire weather could affect containment efforts on McKinney Fire
