Although some areas remain actively burning within the 80 mile McKinney Fire perimeter in Siskiyou County, the fire is unlikely to escape it’s lines now. It’s 80% contained after burning 60,400 acres. Many residents have been allowed to return to their previously evacuated homes. At least 185 structures were destroyed, including at least 87 homes. Four people were known to have been killed by the fire, including veteran Klamath National Forest lookout Kathy Shoopman. 10 firefighters and civilians have been injured. A local assistance center to serve fire survivors will be open at College of the Siskiyous in Yreka next Wednesday and Thursday. Authorities opened Highway 96 Thursday to piloted traffic from Beaver Creek to Kohl Creek. Those who live along Highway 96 may access their properties Friday between 7AM and 7PM. Fire officials are still assessing hazard trees and other safety concerns. The Klamath National Forest closure is still in effect.

Crews have been hard at work clearing the clogged Humbug Creek, hauling out truckload after truckload of logs, rocks and mud that had washed down in flash flooding last week that almost trapped and drowned several people. A new start, the George Fire south of Scott Bar, is 20 acres with forward progress halted.

The 7,900 acre Yeti Fire and the 151 acre Alex Fire are nearing containment. 2 firefighters have been injured on those fires.