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Gap fire grows to 21,000 acres, prompts mandatory evacuations Saturday Sep 3, 2016 at 10:46 AM Sep 3, 2016 at 7:53 PM Local report HAPPY CAMP, Calif. — Mandatory evacuations have been issued for residents on Ladd Road from Walker Gulch east to Hicks Gulch north of the Klamath River after the Gap fire swelled to 20,876 acres, the U.S. Forest Service said Saturday evening. Advisory evacuations have been issued for the communities of Seiad Valley and Hamburg as well as for residents along Highway 96 between Hamburg and Seiad Valley and along Seiad Creek Road from Highway 96 to Panther Gulch. The fire is about 14 percent contained. No more structures have burned since the fire first exploded on Aug. 28, burning nine houses and 14 outbuildings, fire officials said, and the shelter at Yreka has been closed for now. Highway 96 remains open, but travelers should watch for firefighting personnel and equipment and be prepared for delays should the fire approach the road. Fire crews are working today to defend structures as necessary and continue to hold the fire at the Klamath River, officials said. A total of 1,862 workers have been assigned to the fire. The fire became extremely active Friday afternoon, backing into a drainage and growing with the prevailing winds. The mandatory evacuations were issued late in the afternoon as the fire moved toward the river, officials said. A forest closure is in effect for areas affected by the Gap fire on the Klamath National Forest, including a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. Beaver Creek Road is now closed at the intersection with West Beaver Creek Road (47N01), allowing public access east on the Beaver Creek Road (48N01). The cause of the Gap fire, which sparked Aug. 27 in Seiad Valley, is still under investigation. Those with information are asked to contact the U.S. Forest Service tipline for the Klamath National Forest at 530-841-4474. Temperatures are expected to reach the upper 70s this afternoon with humidity at about 25 percent and ridgetop winds up to 20 mph, an updated release on the fire said this morning.