Community Resources: Fire Relief and Response
Mutual aid resources for community relief, helpful links for emergency response, and where to find information on current fires in the northern Californian region.
The McKinney Fire continues to sweep through Siskiyou County and cause devastating damage to northern Californian communities while shifting weather patterns have led to thousands of lightning strikes across the region and the ignition of numerous other fires. As first responders and wildland firefighters continue to work hard to get a handle on the McKinney and surrounding fires, we are feeling immense grief and sadness for our affected community members of Siskiyou County.
Many of the communities in Siskiyou County have been severely impacted by these fires as they remain active and little containment has taken place. People from the evacuation zones of northern California are being asked to remain evacuated until containment is secured and power is restored, as firefighters and rescue workers continue to mitigate and assess the damage.
Below are lists of resources for those who have been affected by the fires as well as resources for those who would like to donate or offer help to fire victims. We will continue to update this page as additional resources become available.
Financial and Supply Donations to Those Affected
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Visit this KRCR article for a list of families who are requesting direct financial donations after losing their homes along the Klamath River on Highway 96 during the McKinney Fire.
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The SAVE program is administered directly by participating fire departments across California each day, and mobilizes for rapid disaster relief when communities are impacted by wildfire or natural disasters. Click here to make a donation to the SAVE program.
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The Siskiyou Food Bank is providing food for evacuees and accepting donations both monetary and new packaged foods to continue providing food to evacuees of the #McKinneyFire
To donate or for more information, visit their website here or call Laura Leech at 530-340-6382
Food Bank Location: 1601 S. Oregon St, STE B, Yreka, CA.
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The United Way of Northern California is providing immediate one-time financial assistance for evacuees in these nine northern California counties: Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity. Call (530) 241-7521
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Rescue Ranch, an animal shelter in Yreka, CA, has taken in over 150 pets and animals in the few days following the ignition of the McKinney Fire. Click here to make a financial donation to the shelter for continued care of these animals.
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The Siskiyou Humane Society is accepting donations to aid in their intake of a variety of animals fleeing from the McKinney Fire. Click here to make a donation.
Current Evacuation Zones
Multiple evacuation orders are in effect across northern California. Visit this evacuation zone map for current and up-to-date evacuation zones within northern California. For evacuation updates, visit the Facebook pages of the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office or the Siskiyou County Office of Emergency Services.
An evacuation shelter has been established at the Weed Community Center, 161 E Lincoln Ave., Weed, CA 96094.
A livestock evacuation shelter is available in Yreka, CA at the Siskiyou Golden Fairgrounds: 1712 Fairlane Rd, Yreka, CA 96097 (access from Sharps road at horse barns) Call 530-340-1038 with questions or for intakes.
Road Closures
A significant portion of Highway 96 is closed due to the fire. Prior to traveling, please check CalTrans Road Conditions for the most current road conditions.
Click here for a map of the closed section of the Klamath National Forest due to the McKinney, Alex, and Yeti fires as of August 8th, 2022.
Fire and Smoke Forecasts
As the McKinney Fire continues to burn in northern California, please visit our Fire Dashboard or the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page for up-to-date information. Visit Ryanweather.com for weather updates in the fire zones.
Many communities are not in immediate danger from ongoing fires, but are still enduring hazardous air quality. Please keep up with the latest information on air quality from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality here, get information on the locations of ongoing fires, and learn more about health and air quality from the Oregon Health Authority.
Pacific Crest Trail Closure Updates
A 110 mile section of the PCT is closed by the Forest Service. The closure is from Etna Summit (mile 1600) in Northern California to Mt. Ashland Campground (~mile 1710) in Southern Oregon. For more information, visit the PCTA website here.
Jackson Wellsprings in Ashland, OR will be offering free camping, wifi, and showers to any PCT hiker until August 7th.