Firefighters made steady progress overnight Thursday on the Elk Fire, with little fire activity and no new growth reported. Cooler overnight temperatures helped crews strengthen containment efforts.
The fire is now estimated at 2,592 acres. The increase in acreage is due to more accurate mapping from an infrared flight, not fire spread.
Crews worked through the night using bulldozers and hand tools to build and reinforce containment lines. They also addressed several spot fires that ignited outside the main fire area. All control lines held overnight and are now tied into previously burned areas, reducing the chance of the fire spreading.
Friday, structural fire crews are focusing on assessing properties near the fire and continuing efforts to protect homes, power infrastructure, and other important sites. Protecting the region’s electrical system remains a top priority to ensure essential services stay online.
“We had a great night on the fire,” said operations section chief Jason Pettigrew. “Today is a key opportunity to lock in our progress before conditions change.”
Forecasts call for slightly warmer temperatures and lower humidity today. Fire officials say this could be the last day of favorable weather before hotter, drier conditions return. Crews are being urged to take advantage of the cooler conditions while they last.
Additional firefighting resources remain on standby in case new fires start nearby. Crews are also working with cultural resource advisors to identify and avoid culturally significant sites within the fire area.
Evacuations and Shelter Information
The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuation notices for areas near the Elk Fire. Residents should stay informed and be ready to leave if conditions change. For the latest evacuation updates, visit: https://protect.genasys.com/search
An American Red Cross shelter is open at:
Living Springs Church
31897 Mission Street
Bonanza, OR 97623
Public Safety Reminder
Please stay out of the fire area. Your cooperation helps keep both you and firefighters safe. Follow all local fire restrictions and closures.
Airspace Notice
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in effect from the ground up to 6,500 feet over the fire area. This includes a ban on drones. Flying drones near wildfires is illegal and puts firefighting crews at risk. For more details, visit the FAA’s TFR site.