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> By Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier September 04. 2014 6:20PM Fighting fires keeps Illinois Valley Airport busy CAVE JUNCTION — As fires continue to burn over the hill in California, the Illinois Valley Airport has turned into a hub of activity in the past three weeks. Numerous large helicopters are flying in and out, fighting the nearly 77,000-acre Happy Camp Complex along the Klamath River 40 miles southeast of Cave Junction. "I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off," said Larry Graves, manager for Josephine County Airports. Graves has his own fires to put out, including a septic failure at the airport that he said was fixed on Tuesday. From 100 to 200 people are camping at the airport, mostly on the grounds of the Siskiyou Smokejumper Base Museum. Bathroom facilities at the museum were not sufficient for the task, so portable toilets were brought in. "The Forest Service has been great; they're hard-working sons of guns, lending a helping hand every day," Graves said. "We're glad we're there and able to help." The massive heavy-lift helicopters at the base include Erickson's Sikorsky S-64, an orange behemoth 70 feet long. The choppers are filling up mostly from the Klamath River. "The helicopters have a huge support crew. They have to bring fuel, spare parts, mechanics and pilots available 24/7," Graves said. "The fire is in a very difficult location to fight. It looks like we'll be fighting this one until October." A temporary control tower, which looks like a "trailer with a big pop-up on one end," Graves said, was set up to handle the extra traffic. "It's fun to have a control tower out there. The airport's never had one." Graves said the 36 civilian pilots based at the airport have adapted to it. Meanwhile, the fire flared up Tuesday evening as strong winds fanned the flames, increasing the fire by 5,000 acres. More than 2,800 personnel, 13 helicopters, 133 engines, 21 dozers, 44 water tenders, 29 mules and eight horses are working the fire, which by Thursday morning was 19 percent contained. Two other helicopter bases are located at Happy Camp and in the Scott Valley. Fire officials estimate it has cost $44.7 million so far to fight the fire, which started Aug. 11. The Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office issued more evacuation notices Tuesday evening, between Scott River Road and Seiad Creek Road. Some were eased to advisory evacuations by Thursday. Drivers can expect delays on Highway 96. Reach Grants Pass Daily Courier reporter Jeff Duewel at 541-474-3720 or [email protected]. http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20140904/NEWS/140909839 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->