Wilson Fire threatens redwoods

1 blaze threatens old-growth parkland, the other burns private timber

A spectator watches as a helicopter water-tanker sucks water up from the lagoon at Lagoon Creek rest stop area on U.S. Highway 101, just North of Klamath on Saturday afternoon. (The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson)

About 400 firefighters were scrambling to contain the two blazes, and they were hampered by fog that grounded three helicopters that were assisting the efforts Saturday by dumping saltwater on the flames.

The 30-acre Branch 1 blaze singed the ground and burned at least one old-growth redwood north of the primitive campground on the DeMartin section of the Coastal Trail, said Cal Fire Battalion Chief Jim Smith.

Firefighters expected to have the Branch 1 blaze contained by Sunday night, he said.

Branch 2 of the Wilson Fire Complex had burned about 225 acres farther east along the Wilson Creek drainage and was burning timber on land owned by Green Diamond Resource Co, Smith said.

Containment of the Branch 2 blaze is not expected until Monday, and that effort could complicated by winds that are expected to reach up to 35 mph by mid-morning Monday, Smith said.

There is a possibility of rain later Monday that could help firefighters, he said.

Thirty-five hand crews and 25 fire engines are being used, and Cal Fire is being assisted by the Crescent and Fort Dick fire districts, Smith said. A small base camp has been established at the Del Norte County Fairgrounds.

No one has been injured, and no structures are threatened, Smith said, adding investigators believe both blazes started Friday night and were human-caused.

The area to Wilson Creek is barred by a locked gate, but “there are lots of ways you can get to Wilson Creek from Klamath,” Smith said Saturday.

A Cal Fire water tender truck was damaged Saturday after flames flared in front of it, Smith said.

“It was supporting a firefighting operation and the fire made a high-intensity run right toward them — they had to drive through the flames to get to a safe area,” he said.

Another fire burned 2-3 acres at Dead Lake north of Crescent City on Saturday before it was contained, Smith said.