Twenty fires are continuing to burn in the Klamath National Forest in Siskiyou County after a lightning storm Tuesday.
The largest of the fires is the Head Fire, which continues to be roughly estimated at 3,000 to 4,000 acres. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect around the blaze.
Janine Summy, public affairs officer with the Klamath National Forest, said she urges residents to follow those orders.
"It's for their own safety and well being in this dynamic situation, as well as for the safety and well being of our fire and emergency responders,” Summy said.
As of Wednesday afternoon, she said a federal incident management team was on its way to the forest to coordinate the response.
“The Type 1 incident management teams are the teams that are pulled in for the very most complex of fires,” Sully said. “So they have the highest degree of training and experience.”
Sully warns that more fire starts are possible, as the North State is under a red flag warning. That means temperatures are high, fuels are dry, and turbulent wind could help future fires spread.
Summy encouraged residents to sign up for CodeRED alerts, and to visit the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Facebook page to find evacuation information.
Health advisory due to unhealthy air quality
Siskiyou County health and air quality officials are advising residents to keep an eye on the county’s Air Quality Index (AQI), which measures unhealthy particulates in the air.
AQI levels above 150 indicate “unhealthy” air quality. At that level it’s advised to stay indoors and limit your outdoor activity. Schools and other recreation organizations that operate outdoor sports programs are also recommended to cancel or postpone activities at that level.
Officials say residents can protect themselves from wildfire smoke by keeping windows and doors closed and running air filters, if possible.
If it’s not possible to get indoors, N95 masks tightly fitted to the face can help reduce smoke exposure.
Not every area in Siskiyou County is currently at an unhealthy air quality level, but conditions can change quickly and vary throughout the day.
Health officials advise residents monitor levels from AirNow or the county’s Air Pollution Control District.
