Butler Fire Morning Update

Butler Fire Quick Facts:

Leader’s Intent: The Butler Fire is being managed with a full suppression strategy emphasizing firefighter and public safety while protecting critical values at risk. 

Operational Update: Today the Butler and Nordheimer Structure Groups will continue to focus on implementing their structure protection plans, with a strong focus by Butler Structure Group on the Butler Flat Community’s water system infrastructure. Along Salmon River Road, crews will begin to complete roadside brushing activities as well as continue to prepare the lower section of the Boundary/Orleans Trail to connect to the work done by crews along the ridgeline. 

Crews have been working tirelessly to contain this fire. IR flight data reports that yesterday the fire doubled in size, making today’s response efforts critical to minimize continued growth. Crews on the ground and aircraft will begin the day by assessing how the line held overnight and engage quickly where it is safe to do so. Helicopters will be dropping water on critical locations as conditions allow. Crews will also engage on the spot fires near the boundary ridgeline in the headwaters of Hammel Creek. Since the fires began on the ridgetop, the ideal situation is to back the fire down with low intensity from the ridge down towards the Lewis Creek drainage. The goal is to continue to fully suppress the fire with all means possible, going direct on the Boundary/Orleans Mountain Trail and utilize air resources to tame critical hotspots.  

The Incident Command Post will remain at the Orleans District Office with base camp located at the Oak Bottom Campground. 

One prescribed burn and one cultural burn are planned to occur today. Both of these actions are separate from the Butler Fire incident management. The Mid Klamath Watershed Council (MKWC) and partners plan to move forward with the All Hands All Lands Butler Rx plan to burn 6 acres at Butler Flat Meadow at approximately 4 p.m. This is independent from the Butler Fire, and they provide all their own resources and plans. If there are questions or concerns, please contact MKWC Fire and Forestry Program at 530-627-3202. A Cultural burn may also occur directly across the creek from the All Hands All Lands prescribed fire.  

Community Meeting: There will be a community meeting about the Butler and Red Fires Wednesday, July 9 at 5 p.m. at the Karuk Department of Natural Resources located at 39051 Highway 96 in Orleans. For those unable to attend in person, a recording will be available on Facebook after the meeting. 

Closures & Evacuations: Siskiyou County Sherriff have evacuations  warnings and orders in place for the Butler Fire. As Evacuation Order has been issued for SIS-1703 (no residents). Warnings apply to zone SIS-1704 (Butler Creek, Lewis Creek, Bloomer Mine residents and Nordheimer Campground), SIS-1707, and SIS-1803-A (no residents). There are no planned road closures along Salmon River Road. However, the public may experience minor delays as crews work on roadside brushing over the next few days. Nordheimer and Oak Bottom Campgrounds are closed due to wildfire and fire suppression activities.  

Weather & Fire Behavior: Local weather will be warm (high 80s) and slightly breezy today (southwest winds 5-8 mph). Relative humidity remains around 50% to 60%, which may help moderate fire behavior despite warm, breezy conditions. 

Fire Safety & Prevention: The local area is likely to have both wildfire suppression operations and external prescribed and potentially cultural burning today. These operations are being done with care and consideration for firefighter and public safety. Area residents and visitors should be aware of their surroundings, watch for increased traffic in the area and try to avoid being in the fire area. With this activity and the issuance of evacuation warnings, residents and visitors should review resources at www.siskiyoucounty.gov/ReadySiskiyou. 

Fire Information: For additional fire information and resources, please visit www.linktr.ee/srffirepio. 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.