The Silver Creek Fire is a lightning caused fire that was discovered on July 14 on the Silver Lake Ranger District, Fremont-Winema National Forest one mile south of Thompson Reservoir. The fire is currently burning in ponderosa pine and needle cast with low fire behavior. With the recent moisture in the area this presented fire managers with an opportunity to use an indirect strategy to suppress the Silver Creek Fire which will reduce fuel loadings and in turn help improve rangeland forage in the area.

Crews will be going indirect by using existing roads and natural features to confine this naturally ignited wildfire.  Afterward, crews will continue with a burnout operation to secure the fires edge.  Much like a prescribed fire, this naturally caused fire will help reduce the dead and down fuel loading and improve wildlife habitat. Promoting long-term ecosystem integrity and sustainability by reducing the risk of high-severity wildland fires in the future.

Operations will start this evening and continue through the day tomorrow. When complete the fire is expected to have treated approximately ninety-five acres. Smoke may impact Thompson Reservoir but is expected to be short in duration.

Recreation sites in the area include Thompson Reservoir and East Bay Campground.

When safe to do so, fire personnel will manage naturally occurring wildfires to improve habitat and restore ecological balance to our wildlands.

Land managers regularly work with stakeholders to strategically select vegetation treatment areas.  These treatments are proactive actions designed to protect communities and other values before a wildfire occurs.

As the weather continues to dry out, firefighters are prepared to address any wildfires discovered in the coming weeks.

Area residents and visitors can report suspected wildfires by calling the Lakeview Interagency Fire Center at 541-947-6315.

Forest visitors are asked to be careful with fire and anything that can throw a spark.  Campfires should never be left unattended and should be dead out before leaving.  This means drowned with water, stirred and be cold to the touch with no warm spots.

The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a discarded firearm used in a crime.

Detectives are investigating a serious assault that occurred during the early morning hours of Tuesday July 2nd in the south suburban area. They have uncovered information that a firearm was discarded immediately following the pre-dawn assault on Harlan Drive between Keller Drive and Hope Street.

A search of the area has thus far been unsuccessful in locating the gun. It is believed that the evidence has been removed from the scene. The handgun is evidence of a crime and is essential for criminal prosecution. If you have information pertaining to the recovery or the current location of the handgun contact the Sheriff’s Office Tip-Line at 541-883-5130 and select 5.

A small aircraft had engine problems forcing it land in a field near the Klamath Falls Airport.

The privately owned aircraft a 1948 Stinson 108-3 was operated by Clayton DARR of Anchorage, Alaska. After taking off from the Klamath Falls Airport the aircraft experienced engine problems caused DARR put the aircraft in a field near the 10200 block of Homedale Road at approximately 1:14 PM.

Deputies responded to assist the pilot and the single passenger. No injuries were reported. The aircraft suffered minor damaged due to being landed in the field. No reports of property damage from the property owners were received.

The Sheriff’s Office is assisting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with the investigation and whether or not the incident is going to be classified as a crash.

Police are investigating a major injury MVA on Highway 140 West. An extended closure with no detour is expected.

ODOT: Central Ore.: OR140W (Lake of the Woods Highway) blocked in both directions 22 miles west of Odessa due to crash. Major injuries. ANTICIPATE EXTENSIVE CLOSURE. No detour at this time.

The crash is near Milepost 24. Updates available on tripcheck.com

Update: we have a report from a source that this was reported to be a fatal MVA. However this has not yet been confirmed by OSP. We know it is confirmed as a major injury accident at this point. Once we get more information we will update.

According to the Redding Searchlight, 3 people from Klamath Falls were literally blown out of their boat by an explosion after refueling. The incident happened yesterday. One of the men says he was lifted 15 feet in the air! The boat was a 1985 custom built.

Read the full article here: 

https://www.redding.com/story/news/2019/07/05/redding-com-news-roundup-rolling-updates-july-2019/1628353001/

Alizabeth Witheril (20) of Klamath Falls

On Tuesday, July 2, 2019, a tip led Oregon State Police Troopers to a residence in Klamath Falls.  At the residence Troopers located a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe that is believed to be the vehicle that struck and killed Mr. Rittenhouse on June 15, 2019.

Troopers identified Alizabeth Witheril (20) of Klamath Falls as the driver of the vehicle that struck Mr. Rittenhouse.  She was arrested for Failure to Perform Duties of Driver to Injured Persons (Hit and Run) and Tampering with Physical Evidence.

Blake Hooke (18) of Klamath Falls was arrested for Tampering with Physical Evidence.

Oregon State Police thanks the public for their assistance in this investigation.

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The Oregon State Police is continuing the investigation into the fatal hit and run crash which occurred on Saturday, June 15, 2019. OSP is providing the attached photo, of a piece of the suspect vehicle, in hopes that someone will recognize the piece or damage to the front bumper area of a vehicle they are familiar with.

Contact the Oregon State Police by dialing *OSP or  541-883-5711.

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On Saturday, June 15, 2019, at approximately 3:47 AM, Klamath County 911 received a call of a man found in the middle of South 6th Street at the intersection with Gary Street.

Klamath County Fire District 1 responded to assist the man, who was later identified as Henry Rittenhouse, age 36, of Klamath Falls; however, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.

On scene investigation determined that Mr. Rittenhouse had been struck by a vehicle that left the scene.  The suspect vehicle is gray in color; however, there are no additional descriptors of the vehicle that struck Mr. Rittenhouse at this time.

The Oregon State Police was assisted at the scene by the Klamath Falls Police Department, the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, Klamath County Fire District 1, and ODOT.

Any one with information on this incident, or with information on the suspect vehicle, is asked to call Oregon State Police Dispatch at *OSP or  541-883-5711.

Alizabeth Witheril Charge Information;