Document text
The Klamathon fire has crossed the Oregon border, the Oregon Department of Forestry has confirmed. The Northern California fire, last estimated at 21,803 acres, has spread less than a mile into Bureau of Land Management forestland in Oregon located east of Interstate 5 near the Soda Mountain Wilderness. Although the fire is threatening the biologically diverse Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, ODF spokeswoman Melissa Cano said ODF crews are using every resource they have to attack the fire, located in thick wilderness with limited access. Trail system closures near the border were "coming down the pipeline," according to Cano. "It is a full-suppression fire," Cano said. "We are fighting this fire." Winds Saturday shifted south overnight, according to Cal Fire spokeswoman Jody Hagemann. "The fire's burning in a southeast direction now," Hagemann said, adding that the fire remains 5 percent contained. In Oregon, the head winds allowed crews to "build a huge containment wall" should the flames start moving back toward Oregon, Cano said. The fire more than doubled in size overnight, spreading in multiple directions and threatening the communities of Hornbrook and Hilt on the California side and Colestin in Oregon. About 750 people have been evacuated as the fire, now estimated at 21,803 acres, advances toward 350 homes in those three communities and the area of Irongate Reservoir, according to Cal Fire. Evacuation warnings have been issued east of the Yreka Western Railroad to Iron Gate Reservoir. south to Copco/Ager and north to the California-Oregon state line. Residents in Klamath River Estates and those living east of Black Mountain to Desavado Road and south of Copco Road to Ager-Beswick Road have been told to be ready to leave. One person was found dead in the area around Hornbrook, where an evacuation notice was declared Thursday. Because of the amount of debris, it was difficult to determine whether the body was inside or outside the residence, police said. The person's identity has not yet been released. A Cal Fire update warns "there is a high potential for spread" into the Klamath National Forest, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and Jackson County. "Natural and cultural resources are threatened" on the two forests, as well as endangered species habitat in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument and Soda Mountain Wilderness. A Verizon cell tower and Cal Fire's Black Mountain Repeater, private timberlands and the Yreka Western Railroad are also threatened, the update said. More than 1,000 fire personnel, 88 fire engines, 31 fire crews, 15 helicopters, five dozens and 11 water tenders are fighting the fire, the update said. The fire is 5 percent contained, it said. More than 150,000 gallons of retardant have been pumped at the Medford Tanker Base for fighting the Klamathon fire, according to the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. See an incident map here .