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Firefighters are battling the McKinney Fire, the China Peak Fire and the Evans Peak Fire north and south of Highway 96, at Seiad and east to Yreka.
The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office issued an evacuation orders and evacuation warning for areas threatened by the 30-acre China Fire, burning west of the McKinney Fire:
An evacuation order is in place for Zone 1114, which includes:
An evacuation warning is in place for Zone 1117, including
People evacuating can bring their pets and small animals to Rescue Ranch at 2216 E Oberlin Road in Yreka.
A place to evacuate large animals is pending, according to the Siskiyou County Office of Emergency Services. Go to at facebook.com/SiskiyouCountyOES/ for updates.
Firefighters in the area report smoke coming from the Klamath River Post Office, and trees down across the road near Walker Bridge.
People on social media reported a fire tornado occurred around midnight in the area of the McKinney Fire.
The McKinney Fire is burning near of Scott River Road.
Firefighters reported powerlines are down near the Oaks Mobile Home and RV Park across from the Klamath River Post Office.
Highway 96 is closed from Scott River Road in Hamburg to where it intersects Highway 263 about 8 miles north of Yreka, according to the California Department of Transportation.
Parts of Highway 96 between Seiad and Yreka are closed due to the McKinney Fire burning on both sides of the highway, according to the U.S. forest Service. Motorists should avoid the area.
The China Peak Fire and the Evans Fire are also burning near Seiad, the Forest Service said.
The cause of the fires hasn't been reported, but thunderstorms are moving through the area, the Siskiyou County Office of Emergency Services said.
Firefighters are on the way to two more fires that ignited near Seiad, according to the U.S. Forest Service. One fire is in the area of Evans Peak.
The other is in the China Peak area and burned about 30 acres.
The McKinney Fire is spreading, according to the U.S. Forest Service. It jumped Highway 96 and is pushing north, east and west.
The Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office issued additional evacuation orders for areas previously under evacuation warnings. People in the following areas must leave immediately, the sheriff's office said.
Residents can check an updated zone map if they don't know their zone at bit.ly/3zHQidG.
Help is available for evacuees:
People who can evacuate west can go to a temporary evacuation point at the Seiad Valley Fire Hall, 44601 Highway 96, the sheriff's office said.
A 24-hour call line for residents who need shelter from the fire is open at 530-340-3539, the Siskiyou County Office of Emergency Service announced.
The fire is spreading east, according to the U.S. Forest Service
The Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office issued additional evacuation orders for people in zones SIS-1120 B, SIS-1010 and SIS-1013,
This includes residents in the Horse Creek area.
People can check an updated zone map at bit.ly/3zHQidG.
Friday evening, firefighters are battling a 300-acre blaze burning in the Klamath National Forest west of Yreka.
The McKinney Fire started around 2:30 p.m. southwest of the Klamath River along Highway 96 and McKinney Creek Road, according to the California Department of Transportation.
The area is about 25 miles west of Yreka, and about 10 miles east of Hamburg,
By 8:30 p.m., the fire had spread to the Dona Creek area, east of Horse Creek, south of Highway 96, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation orders for residents and visitors on the south side of the Klamath River from Gottsville to Scott River Road, including communities along the Klamath River and Walker Road. These are zones 1120 and 1123.
The sheriff's office issued an evacuation warning for neighboring areas including those north of Highway 96 at Hamburg, McKinley Mountain and Indian Creek Baldy. These are zones 3502, 3505 and 1120-B. This includes Humbug Creek Road, Dowling Gulch and Schoolhouse Gulch areas. These areas should be ready to evacuate if needed.
People evacuating can go west to a temporary evacuation point at the Seiad Valley Fire Hall, 44601 Highway 96 in Seiad Valley, the sheriff's office said.
A 24-hour call line for residents who need shelter from the fire is open at 530-340-3539, the Siskiyou County Office of Emergency Service announced.
"Several helicopters and air tankers are on scene," the sheriff's office said. More crews are on the way.
Thunderstorms in the area are helping the fire spread, the forest service said.
Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and entertainment stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.