Klamath River Experiencing Fish Kill as a Result from McKinney Fire
As Klamath communities are still grappling with the Mckinney fire, the river is now experiencing impacts as well. Intense rains last week caused flash flooding in dry creek beds coming out of the McKinney burn area, washing ash, silt, and other debris into the Klamath River. This influx of detritus caused O2 levels to drop to zero in the mid reaches of the river, resulting in a fish kill. Biologists are reporting thousands of dead suckers, lamprey, trout, and juvenile coho.
News
McKinney Fire Kills Thousands of Fish - The New York Times
Flash floods last week pushed burned soil, rocks and downed timber into the river, killing off, according to local tribal leaders, thousands of fish.
Klamath National Forest fire lookout among those who died in McKinney Fire
Kathy Shoopman had worked as fire lookout since 1974. The 73-year-old died in her Klamath River home in the McKinney Fire.
Klamath National Forest's rare trees, species threatened by wildfire
Ecologist says “the Klamath Forest has the most diverse, temperate conifer forest of any region here, some would argue of the world.”
Wildfire implicated in death of tens of thousands of fish, California tribe says | California | The Guardian
Karuk Tribe suspects debris flow in Klamath River due to flash flooding over a burned area
Community of Klamath River near California-Oregon border razed by deadly wildfire - oregonlive.com
The scenic Northern California hamlet of Klamath River was home to about 200 people, a community center where they gathered, a corner store and a post office. But the wildfire raging through the forested region near the Oregon state line jumped the river last weekend, killing four residents of the tiny community and turning most of its homes and businesses to ash.
McKinney Fire debris flows are causing fish kills in the Klamath River | Jefferson Public Radio
The McKinney Fire, burning in Siskiyou County near the Oregon-California border, is causing new problems. On Friday, biologists with the Karuk Tribe identified thousands of dead fish of all species in areas where muddy debris flows had entered the river.
'Nothing to Stop It:' McKinney Fire Destroys Scenic Town of Klamath River | KQED
The McKinney Fire grew very little on Tuesday but it is still not contained. Firefighters are moving to make progress as drier and hotter weather is expected over the next few days.
Yurok Tribe warns of toxic blue green algae in Klamath River | KRCR
Yurok Tribe Environmental Department has advised vistors of the Klamath River to be aware of blue green algae in the water.
Klamath Tribes host rally for sacred fish | Klamath | heraldandnews.com
On Saturday, July 23, citizens of the Klamath Tribes will host the second day of Rally for the C’waam and Koptu, highlighting the importance of these endemic fish, also known as the Lost River suckerfish and shortnose suckerfish. The two-day festivities kicked off Friday with a community art build in Chiloquin and will resume at the Klamath Tribes Community Center at 11 a.m. in Chiloquin with a caravan rally to Klamath Falls. The caravan will lead to the Klamath headgates, where visitors will be treated to a guest speaker. The event will conclude back at the community center, where an information session and community feed will take place at 2:30 p.m.
As wildfires and air quality worsen in Klamath Basin, scientists expand efforts to study the impact on human health - OPB
Scientists at the Oregon Institute of Technology were recently awarded a $1 million grant from the federal government that could result in research that improves health outcomes in Southern Oregon due to wildfire smoke. Since 2019, a team of Oregon Tech scientists has been studying the capacity of hospitals in the Rogue Valley to handle patients arriving with respiratory problems during wildfires when air quality plummets due to wildfires.
