Stukel Fire burns south of Klamath Falls

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A Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation is issued for residences along Hill Road from Dehlinger Road to the junction of Reeder Road as a result of the Stukel Fire burning south of Klamath Falls. The South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership said that a Type Three Management organization is battling the fire about four miles southwest of Olene, which has held at 750 acres through Monday afternoon, the agency said. "It's looking a little better — we had some concerns for the communication site on top of Stukel Mountain," said Angie Forbes, public information for the partnership. Steep terrain and the grass, brush and juniper on Stukel mountain gave firefighters difficulty with access, she said. The initial response to the fire, which is burning primarily on Bureau of Land Management and some private land, included 11 engines, two dozers as well as water tenders and overhead. Forbes said Monday that two additional helicopters and more hand crews are being added to knock down the fire and establish containment lines. Monday morning, Forbes said 15 to 20 structures were being monitored for proximity to the fire. The cause of the Stukel Fire remains under investigation. This story will be updated.