Highway 96 Traffic Slows Down As Fire Jumps Klamath River

ORLEANS – Highway 96 just north of Dillon Creek is under traffic controls after one of the 8 blazes in the Orleans complex fires crosses the Klamath River.

The Ukonom Fire leaped over the river Sunday evening and is causing intermittent delays due to reduced visibility and falling rock.

The Orleans Complex is nearly 4,500 acres and is 7% contained. The Ukonom, the largest of the 8, has burned 3,200 acres. Crews have been reduced from 731 Sunday to 699 on Monday.

Temperatures have cooled slightly to the 90’s and humidity is between 15 and 25%. A rash of thunderstorms is predicted in the area over the next couple of days and poses a serious threat to renewed fire activity.