Firefighters beginning to get a handle on the Gap Fire in northern California

Gap Fire California

Above: The Gap Fire as seen from the Klamath River. Undated photo from InciWeb.

The Gap Fire has been burning in Seiad Valley 20 miles northwest of Yreka, California for 11 days. It grew quickly during that time to now cover almost 28,000 acres, but firefighters are beginning to get a handle on the blaze. That effort is helped by barriers on at least two sides — the Klamath River on the south, and the two-year old scar from the Beaver Fire.

map Gap Fire California
Satellite photo showing smoke from the Gap Fire Sept 5, 2016. NASA image with text by Wildfire Today.

The Gap Fire has burned into the footprint from the Beaver Fire. Burning operations along the river and on the north side are likely to hold those areas. And, the west flank is also looking good.

The photo below was taken August 12, 2014 at the Beaver Fire north of the Klamath River.
Art Prints

Advisory evacuations are in place for some areas along the Klamath River.

On Tuesday firefighters will continue to work on the firing operations on the north and south sides and provide structure protection along the river.

The incident management team reports that two structures were destroyed near Hick’s Gulch on the north side of the Klamath River, but have yet to be assessed on the ground.

map Gap Fire Beaver California
Map of the 2016 Gap Fire at about 11:30 p.m. Sept 5, 2016, and the Beaver Fire of 2014. Click to enlarge.
Gap Fire California
Gap Fire as seen from Highway 96 looking toward Hicks Gulch. Photo by Lisa Cox (undated).
Gap Fire California
Firefighters on the Gap Fire are taken across the Klamath River by local rafters.
Beaver Fire
This photo was taken near the western edge of the Beaver Fire, August 12, 2014 near the Klamath River. This general area is now the eastern edge of the Gap Fire. Photo by Bill Gabbert.

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Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.