Fire at a glance (numbers)

  • Incident Name: Mountain, Siskiyou County
  • State: CA
  • Lead Agency: SKU
  • Size (acres): 13,440
  • Percent Contained: 100%
  • Estimate of Containment: September 19, 2022
  • Personnel: 692
  • Structures Destroyed: 4

Mountain, Siskiyou Unit, Cal Fire. Thirteen miles southeast of Etna, CA. Short grass, brush and timber. Minimal fire behavior with smoldering, uphill and wind driven runs.

September 17, 2022 at 7:56 PM

Suppression repair will continue throughout the fire perimeter. Resources will continue to patrol the fire area and mop up any interior smokes, as well as continue to strengthen containment lines.

Be cautious of emergency vehicles while driving in the area. Excess resources are being released to assist with new incidents throughout the state.

A thunderstorm and light showers are occurring over the fire area, which could result in flash flooding or flooding near burn areas. Burn areas are at increased risk of flash flooding and debris flows.

Tomorrow, September 18, 2022, at 7 A. M., CAL FIRE Incident Management Team 5 will transition the Mountain Fire back to CAL FIRE Siskiyou Unit.

September 16, 2022 at 7:09 AM

Crews will continue to tie in containment lines around the fire area today. Be cautious of emergency vehicles while driving in the area. Excess resources are being released to assist with new incidents throughout the state. Increased clouds and light showers are predicted throughout the weekend which could result in flash flooding or flooding near burn areas. Burn areas are at increased risk of flash flooding and debris flows. “If you can look uphill from where you are and see burned areas, you’re at risk.”-NWS

September 15, 2022 at 6:31 PM

Minimal fire activity was observed today. Fire continues to burn in steep, rugged terrain; while firefighters were able to go direct on the whole fire’s perimeter. Overnight with lower temperatures and higher relative humidity the fire stayed within the current perimeter. Crews continue to mop up 300 feet inside the line and patrol any hot spots. Excess resources are being demobbed to assist with new fires across the state. Fire behavior is unpredictable and can change at any time; be prepared and stay informed.

Thunderstorms are predicted, Friday night into Sunday, morning with precipitation of 1/10 to 1/2 of an inch.

September 14, 2022 at 7:07 AM

The fire is holding within current containment lines. Firefighters continue to mitigate hazards and patrol for new smokes as they construct and strengthen existing firelines. The steep terrain and dry heavy fuels challenge firefighters in their efforts to reach full containment.

A cold front is expected this weekend bringing in cooler temperature and higher humidity’s. Motorists should drive cautiously and should always yield to emergency vehicles when on and off roads and highways.

Fire danger remains elevated, and everyone should continue to use extreme caution and refrain from daily activities that may spark a wildfire. “Ready, Set, Go”, is a userfriendly website that shows homeowners step by step instructions for hardening their homes and protecting their families from the dangers of wildfire. You can also visit readyforwildfire.org for information on returning home after a wildfire.

September 12, 2022 at 8:29 AM

Overnight, minimal precipitation around the fire had no effect on fire behavior, fuels remain critically dry. Fireline construction and strengthening of existing fireline will continue today. Within the southern fire area tactical patrol and mop-up is ongoing.

Temperatures will be slightly cooler with relative humidity increasing as the cooling trend continues through the week.

September 11, 2022 at 7:53 PM

Direct and indirect fireline construction continues around the spot fire in Macks Gulch. Steep terrain and rock debris fields remains a challenge to firefighters. Fire behavior was moderated today by increased humidity, lower temperatures and cloud cover over the area.

September 11, 2022 at 1:17 PM

The following ZONE is in an Evacuation Order: Zone SIS-2218B

The following ZONES are in an Evacuation Warning: Zone SIS-2218A Zone SIS-2218C

September 11, 2022 at 8:55 AM

The spot fire is established in the Macks Gulch drainage. Overnight, fire activity was active with wind gusts over 30 MPH and dry conditions leading to uphill runs and short-range spotting in heavy brush and timber fuels. Firefighters will continue to construct direct and indirect fireline today.

A cooling trend will develop across the area with a slight increase in relative humidity.

The Local Assistance Center is located at the Weed Community Center, 161 East Lincoln Ave, Weed, CA. and is open today, September 11, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The center will provide access to county departments, service providers, State, Federal as well as many others.

September 10, 2022 at 5:51 PM

September 8, 2022 at 6:57 PM

Mop-up operations continue as the fire is holding within the established perimeter. Cooler temperatures were observed today and as the weekend approaches, dry conditions will persist with relative humidity in the mid-teens. Damage Assessment inspections have been completed.

September 8, 2022 at 7:37 AM

Minimal fire activity was observed overnight however, isolated areas of heat continue to be mopped-up within the established fire perimeter. Critically dry fuels and warm temperatures continue to persist with wind gusts up to 25 MPH.

September 7, 2022 at 7:01 AM

No fire growth occurred overnight. Small periods of flare ups were observed within direct control lines. Warm and dry conditions are expected to continue. A Red Flag Warning for isolated dry lighting and outflow winds has been issued starting this afternoon and extending through this evening. Damage Assessment is nearing completion, inspection teams are still validating data.

September 6, 2022 at 7:56 PM

Firefighters were successful in constructing and reinforcing control linestoday asthe fire behavior moderated. Small periods of flare ups were observed within indirect control lines. A Red Flag Warning is expected tomorrow for isolated dry lighting and outflow winds Tonight warm and dry conditions are expected to continue, and relative humidity will exhibit minimal recovery. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) will be used tonight to gather intelligence such as areas of condensed heat. Damage Assessment is nearing completion, inspection teams are still validating data.

September 6, 2022 at 8:16 AM

Fire behavior was moderate overnight with small periods of flare ups. Firefighter’s were successful with establishing control lines around the fire. The fire continues to burn in steep terrain as weather continues to be hot and dry with record breaking temperatures. A Red Flag Warning is in effect today.

Damage assessment continues today validating damage or destroyed structures.

Community Meeting tonight at 6:00 P.M., College of the Siskiyou’s Theater 800 College Ave. Weed, CA

September 5, 2022 at 7:40 PM

Peace Officers with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Siskiyou Unit are actively investigating the cause of the Mountain Fire and are seeking the public’s assistance with information regarding the start of the fire.

The Mountain Fire was reported on September 2, 2022 at approximately 3:48 p.m. and was located 9 miles southwest of the community of Gazelle, CA. The fire has burned over 10,000 acres of vegetation across multiple properties that has lead to evacuations in several neighborhoods.

CAL FIRE Siskiyou Law Enforcement continues to investigate the Mountain Fire and encourages individuals who may have information to contact the information tip line at (530) 842-1022.

Firefighters observed active fire behavior this afternoon with wind gusts of 15 MPH. Spotting and active fire behavior resulted in todays increased growth of the fire. Tonight’s fire behavior is expected to remain consistent with today’s observations. The continued hot and dry conditions are expected with poor relative humidity recovery overnight. A Red Flag Warning has been issued for the fire area tomorrow. Steep terrain and varying vegetation types with critically dry fuel moistures continue to challenge resource’s ability to construct containment line.

September 5, 2022 at 7:30 PM

Active fire behavior today with spotting and short crown runs. Structures and communities remain threatened with Evacuation Orders and Warnings in place. Road closures are in effect. A Red Flag Warning has been issued over the fire area tomorrow.

September 5, 2022 at 7:26 AM

There was active fire behavior overnight on the Mountain Fire. The weather remains very dry over the burn area, as a warming trend moves in. Overnight humidity recoveries are moderate. Winds will be light in the morning hours, with up valley winds picking up in the afternoons and evenings. The fire is burning in steep, broken terrain in different types of vegetation. All fuels are at or approaching critical levels for dryness. Personnel are engaging in structure defense and strengthening control lines. More resources are continuing to arrive.

September 4, 2022 at 9:02 AM

Active fire behavior with uphill runs and short range spotting observed overnight. The Mountain fire is burning in annual grasses, light to heavy brush, scattered hardwood litter and timber litter. Fire area ranges from 2700′ to 6000′ elevation. On September 2nd 2022, a Fuels and Fire Behavior advisory was issued for Northern California due to extreme drought, extremely dry fuels and extended periods of hot weather, fire behavior will be elevated for the near future.

Exposure to responders include steep inaccessible terrain, extreme fire behavior, rolling material, hazardous trees and snags, hot, dry and unstable conditions, strong gusty winds, elevated temperatures and low RH, unsafe driving conditions with long duration travel

September 3, 2022 at 6:59 PM

The Mountain fire is burning in annual grasses, light to heavy brush, scattered hardwood litter and timber litter. Fire area ranges from 2700′ to 6000′ elevation. On September 2nd 2022, a Fuels and Fire Behavior advisory was issued for Northern California due to extreme drought, extremely dry fuels and extended periods of hot weather, fire behavior will be elevated for the near future.

September 3, 2022 at 7:33 AM

Cal Fire IMT-5 (Hopkins) assigned, in-brief today at 1100.

September 3, 2022 at 7:02 AM

September 2, 2022 at 7:26 PM

Per latest report, fire is now 600 acres.

September 2, 2022 at 6:20 PM

Rapid rate of spread with spotting reported. Burning in timber with crowning. The cause under investigation.

September 2, 2022 at 5:57 PM

Additional strike teams on order, including a Nevada County team leaving now.

September 2, 2022 at 5:35 PM

Additional resources being diverted from the Mill Fire to this incident.