UPDATE: McKinney Fire doesn't grow; Lightning Complex at zero containment

Thursday was another day of progress for firefighters working on Siskiyou County's McKinney Fire.

The blaze didn't grow — remaining at 60,389 acres — while containment expanded to 80%. The blaze, which broke out July 29 about 15 miles west of Yreka, has destroyed 185 structures and killed four people.

"Crews continue to monitor fire activity along the entire perimeter. Fuels burning via smoldering and creeping with some interior islands continuing to burn out," according to a Friday morning assessment by the U.S. Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program.

Friday's objectives are to continue monitoring the McKinney Fire, mop up deeper into the fire's interior, and protect cultural and natural resources, officials said.

Highway 96 along the Klamath River reopened Thursday to traffic escorted by pilot cars from Kohl Creek to Beaver Creek about 11 to 19 miles east of Hamburg, according to the state Department of Transportation.

‘Siskiyou County Strong’

Residents along the highway could visit their property again Friday until 7 p.m. They need to first contact Siskiyou Environmental Health representatives who are at the Collier Rest Area off Interstate 5 until 5 p.m.

Previous coverage: Klamath River straddles heartbreak and hope after deadly McKinney Fire

"The reopening, albeit in a limited fashion with a pilot car guiding traffic safely and slowly through the fire-ravaged landscape, feels like another milestone in our response to the devastating McKinney Fire," Klamath National Forest Supervisor Rachel Smith said in a Facebook post Thursday.

"We are and will always be Siskiyou County Strong," Smith said in her progress report.

A new fire named the George Fire began about 1 p.m. Thursday in the Scott Bar area near the Sugarpine River Access. The fire started at a quarter-acre and grew to 14 acres within a few hours. Crews, backed by air support, were able to build a hand line and put fire hose around its perimeter.

Meanwhile, temperatures were expected to rise this weekend, which could make conditions volatile.

"As I look toward the weekend, forecasts show temperatures soaring back into the 100s and the potential for significant fire activity as well as increased heat-related threats to emergency responders and the community," Smith said.

She said investigators are working to identify the fire's cause.

Six Rivers Lightning Complex

Fires within the Six Rivers Lightning Complex in Trinity and Humboldt counties continue to grow with zero containment.

The complex was up to 13,968 acres on Friday, compared to 12,375 acres on Thursday.

Fire officials warn that warmer, drier weather is in the forecast that could lead to increased fire activity.

"Firefighters will continue to work around the clock in an effort to gain containment," Six Rivers National Forest officials said.

Five main fires are burning north and south of Highway 299 and are threatening communities along the Trinity River, including the areas of Waterman Ridge, Friday Ridge Road and Ammon Ridge, officials said.

Evacuations were still in effect around Willow Creek, Friday Ridge, Salyer and Trinity Village.

Crews were conducting firing operations in several areas to protect homes.

"If the visibility permits, aviation crews will assist ground firefighters with water drops," officials said.

Highways 299 and 96, along with Route 1, were still open.

Yeti and Alex fires

Forest supervisor Smith said firefighters were making "excellent progress" on the Yeti and Alex fires in western Siskiyou County.

"(Incident Commander) Todd Mack, who is also a Siskiyou County local, anticipates transitioning to a Type III team at the end of his assignment (this weekend), reflecting the tremendous progress they’ve made limiting the spread of the fire and protecting downriver communities from impacts," the forest supervisor said.

The Yeti Fire stayed at 7,886 acres and was 90% contained Friday morning. The 151-acre Alex Fire has been declared fully contained.

All evacuation orders and warnings for the Yeti Fire have been canceled.

Fire crews are mopping up, watching the steep slope above Highway 96 and working on erosion controls.

Read more: Klamath National Forest's unique biodiverse landscapes under threat from wildfire

"Residents and visitors can expect to see isolated areas of smoke and heat through the next few weeks as unburned pockets of vegetation continue to smolder," fire officials said.

Mike Chapman is an award-winning reporter and photographer for the Record Searchlight in Redding, Calif. His newspaper career spans Yreka and Eureka in Northern California and Bellingham, Wash. Support local journalism by subscribing today.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: McKinney Fire in Northern California 80% contained but weather a worry