Updated July 6, 9:11 a.m. Pacific Time
One person has died in Siskiyou County during the Klamathon Fire, reports CalFire. The agency has not released a name as it investigates the incident and notifies the person's relatives.
A wildfire that broke out Thursday afternoon near Hornbrook, California is rapidly burning to the north, forcing the evacuation of Hornbrook and Hilt/Colestin Valley, according to CalFire.
I-5 — which had been closed between Ashland and Yreka since Thursday afternoon — has re-opened as of 6:30 Friday morning. ODOT notes conditions could change quickly and it could become necessary to close the highway again. Drivers are advised to expect congestion and delays.
CalFire reported the Klamathon Fire at 8,000+ acres as of 6:oo Friday morning, with 5 percent containment. Multiple structures are reported damaged or destroyed, and many more are threatened. CalFire has no details on the extent of the damage, but a spokesperson says more than 300 people have been displaced by the fire
The fire started about two miles southeast of Hornbrook at the very time a red flag warning was in effect for high winds, high temperatures, and low humidity... conditions in which fires can grow quickly.
Per CalTrans, the fire grew from 50 acres to 5,000+ between 3 PM and 8:15 PM Thursday. The evacuation order extended as follows: "Klamathon Rd from I-5 to Ager and all Hornbrook City all the way to and including Hilt /Colestin Valley."
