McKinney Fire Debris Causes Klamath River Fish Kill
The devastating McKinney Fire in Northern California Here’s some information in this Karuk Tribe press release:
CONTRACT FOR CONSULTANT SERVICES
FIRES LEAD TO KLAMATH FISH KILL
- Very large numbers of dead fish, of all species, are being observed in the vicinity of Happy Camp, CA along the mainstem Klamath River.
- Preliminary observations suggest that massive debris flows following flash flood events on August 3rd in areas impacted by the McKinney fire are the cause.
- Road closures in an active fire zone are limiting detailed observations.
- Karuk Tribe is working with Yurok Tribe along with state and federal agencies to gain access to fire zone to better document and evaluate river conditions.
- Note that observations of dead fish are being made over 20 miles from source of debris flow. The severity of the event is impossible to characterize until biologists can make direct observations in currently restricted areas.
- It is currently unknown if the event will affect the fall migration of Chinook salmon, which is just beginning, or areas of the river downstream.
- More information will be released as observations are made.
Here are some more social media reactions on this blaze:
