Tennant, Klamath NF

Tennant, Klamath NF, USFS. IMT 2 (CA Team 15). Nine miles northwest of Tennant, CA. Timber and brush. Minimal fire behavior with creeping and smoldering. Area and trail closures in effect. Evacuations have been lifted.

July 10, 2021 at 8:57 PM

Minimal fire behavior with smoldering observed. Threats to grazing allotments, critical wildlife habitat, and cultural sites. Type 3 organization assumed command at 0700 this morning.

July 9, 2021 at 8:50 AM

Fire activity has continued to be limited to the consumption of dead and down fuels within the 2009 Tennant Fire footprint, as well as isolated torching of juniper trees. Due to the improvement of weather conditions overnight, fire behavior is predicted to be limited to smoldering fuels within the perimeter of the Tennant Fire, Resources have been methodically conducting mop-up operations to reach the objective of 100% containment. The threat to the control lines should diminish each day as any available fuel within the interior is consumed and crews increase the depth off of their mop-up. As of 6 A.M. July 8th, the Tennant Fire has burned 10,580 acres and is 81% contained.

Another significant heating trend is expected heading into the weekend with high temperatures returning into the upper 90s to near triple digits for lower elevations. A dry and unstable air mass will also accompany the heating leading to weakened over night humidity recoveries along with a potential for a Haines index of 6.

Evacuation Warnings are in effect for areas surrounding the Tennant Fire. Up-to-date information regarding evacuations can be viewed at an interactive map managed by the Siskiyou County Office of Emergency Services: https://arcg.is/1CrfH40.

July 6, 2021 at 8:47 AM

Interior islands continue to burn actively. Evacuation Warnings remain in place. Threat remains to critical wildlife habitat, cultural sites, private timberlands, agriculture, grazing allotments, rail lines and critical infrastructure. There is a Red Flag Warning in effect from 2 pm to 8 pm today for gusty winds and low RH. CA Type 2, Team 15 (Harris) is in command.

July 5, 2021 at 8:42 PM

Active fire behavior reported. Evacuation Warnings remain in place. Threat remains to critical wildlife habitat, cultural sites, private timberlands, agriculture, grazing allotments, rail lines and critical infrastructure. Trail closures in effect. Highway 97 is now open in the fire area.

July 5, 2021 at 6:19 PM

Highway 97 is now open following a closure due to the #LavaFire and #TennantFire. Please be aware that fire and @CaltransD2 personnel continue to work on and around the highway. Motorists are urged to slow down and drive carefully.

July 5, 2021 at 8:32 AM

Moderate fire behavior reported. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place. Threat remains to critical wildlife habitat, cultural sites, private timberlands, agriculture, grazing allotments, rail lines and critical infrastructure. State Hwy. 97 remains closed with road and trail closures in effect.

Crews were able to burn out the uncontrolled portion of the eastern side of the fire at the end of yesterday’s operational period. The burn was successful and created several hundred feet of depth off of the control line. The fire continues to consume the dead and down fuel within the 2009 Tennant Fire. Within the interior, the fire made short uphill runs where there was continuous stringers of timber within the burn scar, but there was little threat to the control line. The critically dry 1000-hour fuel loads continue to consume as the crews work to mop-up the already established control lines.

Containment of the Tennant Fire has continued to progress as resources have begun to focus more on mop-up due to containment lines holding well over the past couple of days. The main point of heat is from the eastern flank of the fire, where a large island of unburned fuel lies. With the upcoming increase in winds and temperatures, resources will continue to watch the area for tree torching and spot fires. As of 6 A.M. July 5th, the fire has burned 10,541 acres, and has a containment level of 51%.

Hot, dry, and unstable conditions are expected to continue for the upcoming week. An increase in southwesterly winds is expected on Tuesday which will result in a potential for critical fire weather conditions due to critically dry and gusty conditions. A Fire Weather Watch has been issued as a result for a Tuesday afternoon. Another significant heating trend is expected into the weekend as high pressure builds across the West.

July 4, 2021 at 7:22 PM

Active fire behavior with uphill runs observed. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place. Threat remains to critical wildlife habitat, cultural sites, private timberlands, agriculture, grazing allotments, rail lines and critical infrastructure. State Hwy. 97 remains closed. Fire is in Unified Command with CalFire and CA Type 2, Team 15 (Harris).

July 4, 2021 at 9:02 AM

Active fire behavior with single tree torching and backing observed overnight. Yesterday was the hottest and driest conditions over the fire since it started. Observed fire behavior included intermittent tree torching, short uphill runs, and active backing through the dead and down material in the previous burn scar on the east flank. There is consumption of large pockets of dead fuel along the perimeter, as well.

Crews continue to construct and strengthen direct fire lines, construct indirect fire line in anticipation of possible burning operation, and construct contingency fire line to protect assets at risk.

With the predicted afternoon westerly winds, the fire will continue to burn to the east along the uncontrolled eastern fire perimeter. This will continue to pose a threat to the small communities along the Old State Highway, Tennant, Shafter Campground and power and rail infrastructure.

Dry conditions and above average heat continues through the weekend. Afternoon cumulus cloud development is possible along higher terrain with only a slight chance (5-10%) of an isolated shower or thunderstorm in the vicinity of the fire. Typical SW-W breezes are expected again during the afternoon with an evening wind shift out of the northwest. Moderate humidity recovery is expected along upper slopes and ridge tops with better recovery through the valleys.

July 3, 2021 at 8:46 PM

Active fire behavior with uphill runs, single tree torching and backing observed. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place. Threat remains to critical wildlife habitat, cultural sites, private timberlands, agriculture, grazing allotments, rail lines and critical infrastructure. State Hwy. 97 remains closed. Fire is in Unified Command with CalFire and CA Type 2, Team 15 (Harris).

July 3, 2021 at 8:48 AM

Due to effective suppression efforts by Tennant Fire personnel, resources have been able to focus their efforts in containing hot spots on the western and southeastern areas of the fire perimeter. As of 6 A.M. July 3nd, the fire has burned 10,012 acres, and has a containment level of 17%. Fire suppression tactics will continue to be constructing and strengthening direct fire line, as well preparing for any possible increased fire activity.

With a heat advisory in effect until Sunday, July 4th, resources will be focused on keeping the fire held to its current perimeter and responding to spot fires as quickly as possible. Hot, dry, and breezy conditions will continue through the holiday weekend with lower-to-mid 90’s persisting into early next week.

Dry conditions will prevail each afternoon with humidity dropping into lower teens each afternoon. A slight uptick in moisture on Saturday and Sunday may be enough to trigger an isolated shower or thunderstorm, but overall chances will remain low with about a 5-10% chance of development. Evacuation Orders and Warnings are in effect for areas surrounding the Tennant Fire.

July 2, 2021 at 11:13 AM

California Incident Management Team 15 invites all residents impacted by the Tennant Fire to attend a community meeting to discuss questions and concerns about the fire.

The meeting will start at 18:00 (6 P.M.) on Saturday, July 3rd, 2021. The meeting will be held in person at Butte Valley Community Center, 52900 US-97, Dorris, CA 96023, and will also be live-streamed on Klamath National Forest’s Facebook page.

Officials from CAIMT15, Klamath National Forest, CAL FIRE, and local representatives will all be available to answer questions from the public.

Any questions related to the community meeting can be directed to the Lead PIO for CAIMT15, Tom Stokesberry. He can be reached at (503) 453- 9509, and through email at 2021.tennant@firenet.gov.

July 2, 2021 at 7:47 AM

Moderate fire behavior observed overnight. Structures remain threatened with Evacuation Orders and Warnings in place. Threat remains to critical wildlife habitat, cultural sites, private timberlands, agriculture, grazing allotments, rail lines and critical infrastructure. State Hwy. 97 remains closed. Fire is in Unified Command with CalFire and CA Type 2, Team 15 (Harris).

July 1, 2021 at 9:09 PM

Active fire behavior with single tree torching and uphill runs.

Structures remain threatened with Evacuation Orders and Warnings in place. Threat remains to critical wildlife habitat, cultural sites, private timberlands, agriculture, grazing allotments, rail lines and critical infrastructure. State Hwy. 97 remains closed.

Fire is in Unified Command with CalFire and CA Type 2, Team 15 (Harris).

July 1, 2021 at 4:13 PM

The Tennant Fire activity moderated yesterday during early afternoon hours until a wind event in the evening moved the fire in a southeast direction, increasing the acreage to 9,439 acres. The fire is currently wind-driven and is predicted to spread northward along Highway 97 and Old State Highway 97. Current containment is at 6%.

There are currently 529 personnel assigned to the Tennant Fire, including 12 hand crews, 48 engines, 9 dozers, 13 water tenders, and 3 helicopters. Additional resources continue to be ordered and are arriving at the incident.

Evacuation Orders and Warnings are in effect for areas surrounding the Tennant Fire. Residents in an area under an Evacuation Warning should be prepared to evacuate when a Mandatory Evacuation Order is given.

June 30, 2021 at 7:37 PM

Structures remain threatened with Evacuation Orders and Warnings issued. Threat remains to agriculture, grazing allotments, Rail lines and critical infrastructure. State Hwy. 97 remains closed.

The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office is issuing an EVACUATION ORDER for Bray to the Antelope Sink. This includes Round Valley.

June 29, 2021 at 10:43 PM

Conditions have been challenging today for firefighters on the #TennantFire. Very hot temperatures coupled with critically low relative humidities fueled rapid rates of spread on the fire. Current estimated size is 6,000 acres.

Numerous personnel, equipment and aircraft from the US Forest Service, CAL FIRE and cooperating agencies have been battling the blaze since it started yesterday afternoon along Highway 97 east of Grass Lake.

A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered, with plans to inbrief tomorrow morning.

Current Evacuation Orders from Siskiyou OES for the Tennant Fire include:
Bray, south of MacDoel including East and West Ball Mountain Road, Old State Highway, Juanita Lake.

An Evacuation Order means it is time to leave the area now.

Please use this link to see the affected areas: https://arcg.is/1CrfH40

Evacuation Warnings were updated by the Siskiyou County Sheriffs Office this evening, adding an evacuation WARNING for the Macdoel area.

The warning boundary is Sheep Mountain Road to the north, includes the area of Red Rock Road to the East and the homes within a mile to the West of Macdoel.

If you live in the Macdoel area please be ready to evacuate should it be ordered. In case of evacuation orders, the shelter is at the Dorris City Hall.

For more information regarding evacuations please call 211.

June 29, 2021 at 3:30 PM

The Siskiyou Co. Sheriff’s Office has issued an EVACUATION ORDER for the area EAST OF HWY 97 TO EAST BALL MTN ROAD AND FROM OLD STATE HWY TO BRAY.

For more info please call 211.

Use this link to see the affected areas: arcg.is/1CrfH40

June 29, 2021 at 7:14 AM

Yesterday evening the winds settled, and crews were reported to be making progress. Fire behavior has reduced significantly. There are 4 dozers working the spots north of Highway 97. A Type 2 team has been ordered.

The Tennant Fire is burning on the east side of the Klamath National Forest near the junction of Highway 97 and the Tennant Road.

Reported estimated size is 200-300 acres. Multiple resources are assigned from the US Forest Service and CAL FIRE.

Weather concerns: Extreme heat, red flag warnings issued in adjacent area for strong winds and low humidity.

June 28, 2021 at 8:32 PM

Fire is burning at a rapid rate of spread. Current weather in the area is 100 degrees, 15% RH, wind ESE at 9 mph with gusts to 21 mph. The fire continues to burn at a rapid rate of spread. Fire has crossed Highway 97 and Evacuation Warnings have been issued for Tennant, Bray and Shasta Woods.