Klamathon Fire
The Klamathon Fire was a wildfire in Siskiyou County south of Hornbrook, California in the United States. The fire was reported on July 5, 2018 and was contained on July 21, after burning. The fire threatened private timber lands along the California-Oregon border; public lands in the Klamath National Forest; Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest; Jackson County, Oregon; communities of Hornbrook and Hilt, California; and Colestin, Oregon. It destroyed 82 structures, damaged 12 structures, injured three firefighters, and killed one civilian.
Progression
The Klamathon Fire was reported on July 5, 2018 at 12:31 p.m. as a vegetation fire burning off Klamathon Road and Copco Road near Hornbrook, California. By the evening of July 6, the fire was reported at and five percent containment. The fire was reported as being extremely erratic, with the potential to spread into public lands, national forests, private timber lands, and communities in the area, including 600 homes. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection also reported concerns with cell phone towers on Horn Peak being impacted by the fire. Authorities evacuated the communities of Hornbrook and Hilt, California; Colestin, Oregon; as well the area surrounding Iron Gate Dam. Select roads were closed off Interstate 5 as well.The fire had grown to by the evening of July 7, with 20 percent containment. The fire spread into Klamath National Forest, the Horseshoe Ranch Wildlife Area, and private timber stands. Additionally, one civilian was reported dead and two firefighters were injured. The next day, the fire had grown to threaten over 800 structures. It had already destroyed 81 buildings and damaged 12. An additional firefighter was reported as injured, bringing the total to three. Crews were able to hold the fire north of Hornbrook and the Klamath River, but fire threats increased for Hilt and Colestin.
By the morning of July 9, the fire had grown to over and was 30 percent contained. Ski areas around Mount Ashland remained impacted by road closures and evacuations. That evening, select evacuation orders were lifted for areas of Klamath River County Estates; East Iron Gate Reservoir Estates; the communities of Hilt and Colestin; the areas of Pheasant Valley, Airport Road; and Bogus Mountain. However, the fire remained a threat, threatening 1,222 structures by that evening and destroying an additional structure.
By the morning of July 11, the fire had burned and is 60 percent contained. The fire's behavior was minimal overnight, with burning continuing in the Horseshoe Ranch Wildlife Area; Soda Mountain Wilderness; and Klamath National Forest. The areas burning were inaccessible and fire crews focused on the more accessible northern flank of the fire until accessibility was increased.
The fire grew to final size of while fire suppression continued in the area, including erosion control near dozer lines. The fire was reported as contained on July 21. The cause of the fire was later determined to be "reckless burning of debris." The suspect, John Colin Eagle Skoda, was arrested and later charged with manslaughter in connection with the fire.
Effects
The fire threatened a wide swath of the California-Oregon border region.One civilian, John Karl Bermel, died in the Klamathon Fire. The body was found near his residence in Hornbrook, which as damaged by the fire. The cause of the death was related to the fire.