Lava beds fire 6900 acres 082008

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Fire at 6 900 acres

Winds hamper Jack Fire efforts Portion of Lava Beds closed

by Megan Doyle, Herald and News 8/20/08

Smoke billows from a 6,900-acre fire burning near Captain Jack’s Stronghold at Lava Beds National Monument Tuesday. Strong winds hampered suppression efforts, and about twothirds of the park is closed in the northern section.
H&N photo by Andrew Mariman

LAVA BEDS — The lightningsparked Jack Fire in the Lava Beds National Monument more than doubled in size Tuesday from 3,000 to 6,900 acres.
S uppr e s s io n e f for t s wer e h a mp ered by st r on g w i nd s, wh ich a re ex p e c t ed t o c ontinue, said David Larson, the park’s acting superintendent. Fire crews were concerned with repor ts of 15 to 20 mile per hour winds from the southwest, and the possibility those winds could change direction.

   About two-thirds of the park is closed in the northern section, as well as roads north of the Medicine Lake road and the Indian Well campground, Larson said.
   The fire was detected about 9 p.m. Sunday near Captain Jack’s Stronghold. By Monday afternoon, it spread to 3,000 acres and grew to 4,000 overnight, jumping roads and burning federal and private lands north of the park.
   About 150 people were battling the blaze. A large aircraft dumped water flown from Upper Klamath Lake onto the flames Monday, making six drops, but it was not used Tuesday. Smaller aircraft that can carry about 800 gallons were used instead, primarily in the northeast corner of the park.
   There was no estimate of when the fire may be under control.
   Several agencies are helping to fight the fire, including the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Tulelake Volunteer Fire Department, CalFire, Bureau of Land Management and private contractors.
   Lava Beds National Monument crews and equipment helping fight other fires in Northern California were back at the park, Larson said.