Highway 97 is closed from South Side Bypass North to Main for a semi truck related crash. We recommend avoiding the area.
The recovery process is expected to take some time. Major damage occurred to the semi truck.
Icy roads are reported in area. This MVA is reported as no injury.
Update: 7:13am the highway is reported open with flaggers. Delays possible.
More information is available on our Breaking News App
On April 11, 2019 at approx. 1244 pm, Klamath County Fire District No. 1 responded to the report of a structure fire in a home on Douglas Ave. The residence was occupied by a family of five who was home at the time of the fire. The fire was discovered by a family member when they opened a door to a bedroom and found the room filled with smoke and heat. Everyone was able to evacuate the home safely, however several pets did not survive the fire. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental from an unattended candle.
Klamath County Fire District No. 1 responded with a total of 18 fire personnel from four engines, a Battalion Chief, Division Chief and Fire Marshal. Damage is estimated at $60,000.00. The residents are being assisted by the local Red Cross.
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We are grateful that everyone was able to escape the fire unharmed. We would like to remind everyone to use safe practices with open flames such as candles. Keep candles at least 1 foot from combustible decorations and curtains. Never burn a candle all the way down- put it out before it gets too close to the holder or container. Never leave open flames unattended and always keep children away from open flames. For more information on candle safety please see the attached flyer from the National Fire Protection Association. Click the link below for information on candle safety provided by Klamath County Fire District 1.
Above: photo of fire scene yesterday provided by KCFD1
At approximately 1:23 a.m., during the early hours of Friday April 12, 49-year-old Mike Fowler of Klamath Falls crashed his vehicle on Lakeshore Drive. Klamath County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched and upon arrival found that Fowler’s vehicle had rolled over and sustained extensive damage.
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His passenger, 58-year-old Dale Faust of Klamath Falls, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Fowler was heading west on Lakeshore Drive traveling at high speeds when he lost control of his vehicle, left the roadway, and collided with multiple trees.
Alcohol is considered the primary factor in the crash. Klamath County Fire District 1 personnel extricated Fowler from his vehicle. He was transported to Sky Lakes Medical Center for minor injuries and then lodged in the Klamath County Jail on multiple charges. Oregon State Police troopers assisted with the crash reconstruction.
Additional details are pending further investigation. Arrestee: Fowler II, Mike Russell, date of birth 08/26/1969 Charges: Manslaughter II, Criminally Negligent Homicide, Felony Driving While Suspended, Assault III, Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, and Reckless Driving.
Altamont Drive between Barry Avenue and Anderson Avenue will be closed to through traffic between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm starting Monday, April 15 through Friday, April 19, 2019. The closure is required to replace the existing asphalt road surface. Detour routes will in placed and the public is urged to avoid the area if possible.
Several minor earthquakes have occurred in our local region the past few days. A 2.2 “explosion quake” was recorded just north of Klamath Falls yesterday morning near highway 97. The following are reports on the quakes. The red lines in the images are fault lines.
Please note that these quakes were minor and they do not indicate or forecast additional quake activity in our area. Small earthquakes are common in our region.
More information from USGS about this Klamath Falls earthquake is available here.
A map of recent and nearby activity is available here form the USGS.
Update: The Klamath Falls quake was caused by an explosion according to this USGS website and was not a result of fault movement. As seen below the quake registered as an earthquake on preliminary reports. The explosion could have been blasting operations occurring in the area.
Above images from esri.
At approximately 9:45 p.m. on Tuesday (April 10, 2019) Klamath County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a report of a vehicle striking a pedestrian near the intersection of Chiloquin Boulevard (SR 422 South) and Highway 97 in Chiloquin, OR. The pedestrian, 29 year old Angelica Jackson, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Initial investigation conducted by the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office revealed there was no fault in the accident on the part of the vehicle operator. Chiloquin Fire and Rescue personnel also responded to the crash scene and assisted.
No further information is available at this time pending completion of the investigation in conjunction with the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office.
This incident was monitored by Klamath Alerts and covered live in our breaking news app. The initial reports indicated that the person had jumped in front of a moving vehicle. This incident remains under investigation. We will post additional details if they become available.
The NWS in Medford has issued a Flood Warning for the Sprague River, indicating a crest of 9’. Minor flood stage is 8.5’. This should not cause any flooding impacts to residences or roads based on past events, but it is possible.
Water is still rising in most places, including the Sprague, Lost, Link, and Klamath Rivers. Avoid water edges, as they may be eroded and unstable. Yesterday both Gerber and Willow Creek Dams were overtopping. The Bureau of Reclamation is working hard to make sure the river stays within safe acceptable levels to avoid flooding.
If it’s an emergency, please call 911. If you would like to report any flooding impacts from around the county, please call emergency management at 541-851-3741.
April 9, 2019
OAKRIDGE – OR 58 Willamette Highway reopened to all traffic in both directions just before 6 p.m. The road was closed by landslides Sunday afternoon, April 7.
Travelers should expect flagging and delays as cleanup continues from several landslides, the largest at milepost 27 between Lowell and Oakridge. About 4,000 yards of mud, rocks and trees slid down the hill between Sunday and Monday night. Smaller slides were at mileposts 28, 15, and 14.
Crews also continue to remove trees damaged by the February snow storm east and west of Oakridge.
There are multiple work zones. Watch for crews and plan for several stops along the route.
Where traffic is routed through or around a work zone, pedestrians, including those with disabilities, will also be provided routes through or around the work zone.
April 8, 2019
OAKRIDGE – OR 58 Willamette Highway remains closed to through traffic by a landslide covering the road at milepost 27, eight miles west of Oakridge. Through travelers should take alternate routes.
Eastbound: The road is closed at milepost 13, the Lowell Covered Bridge. Local residents who live west of milepost 27 are allowed through.
Westbound: The road is closed at milepost 73, Crescent Junction. Local traffic is allowed through to Oakridge/Westfir, but the road is fully closed west of those communities.
Access for emergency vehicles is being established through the slide area tonight, but no other vehicles will be allowed because the slide continues to move and it is not safe.
About 1,000 yards of material including 40 to 60 trees came down in three slides at milepost 27, 14, and 28. The largest is at milepost 27. The slides were reported on Sunday, April 8, about 4:30 p.m.Crews assessed the slides Sunday night and began cleanup on Monday morning.
Highway 58 is closed due to landslides. According to ODOT the highway will be closed overnight at least.
Timeline Living History Event
Tulelake, California— History will come alive on Saturday, May 11th, during the Monument’s annual Timeline Living History event. This very special event highlights the storied history of the Tule Lake Basin. Groups of local volunteers, including the Cascade Civil War Society and the Mount Mazama Mountain Men, will join National Park Service staff and other volunteers in portraying different time periods from the 19th and 20th centuries. Visitors may view demonstrations of traditional activities, while getting a glimpse into one of several important periods in the history of the Monument and the Tule Lake Basin.
Historical stations will be open for public visits from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Saturday. The following will be located at the park’s north end—an encampment of fur traders and pioneers at Captain Jack’s Stronghold, and a Modoc War-era Army encampment and blacksmith’s shop at Gillem’s Camp. Two stations representing early 20th century explorations and homesteading will be located at Mushpot Cave and near the Lava Beds Visitor Center. Travel through history as you travel through the Monument!
Times for the presentations are as follows:
10:00 AM: Learn how pioneers cooked and survived along the Oregon Trail at Captain Jack’s Stronghold.
11:00 AM: at Captain Jack’s Stronghold, fur traders will demonstrate how to start a fire, throw a knife and give you a peek into life as a fur trader.
1:00 PM: J.D. Howard will lead visitors through Mushpot Cave, while discussing early caving at Lava Beds.
3:00 PM: Army soldiers will commemorate those who died on both sides of the Modoc War at the Gillem’s Camp cemetery, then lower the camp flag.
National Park Service staff invite you to experience a glimpse into local history. Contact Aimee Murillo at (530) 667-8112, for more information.
…The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Flood Watch for the following rivers in Oregon…
Sprague River near Beatty affecting Klamath County…
The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a
* Flood Watch for the Sprague River near Beatty.
* until late Wednesday night.
* At 2:15 PM Sunday the stage was 5.9 feet.
* Minor flooding is possible.
* Flood Stage is 8.5 feet.
* Forecast… The river is expected to rise to below flood stage to 7.8 feet by late Tuesday night.
Landslides and debris flows are possible during this event. Areas below steep slopes and in canyons are at risk from landslides. Do not drive through flooded areas or roads. The water may be too deep or there may be unseen damage to the roadway. A Flood Watch means that flooding is possible but not imminent in the watch area. Prepare to take immediate action if flooding is observed or a warning is issued.
Recent updates to forecast include increased rain amounts in some areas and heavy rain areas reaching farther north than originally expected.
Above: A recent satellite image showing a moisture stream or atmospheric river aimed at Oregon. As of posting time the moisture stream stretches from the west coast to an area west of Hawaii.
From the NWS Medford:
An atmospheric river (AR) will take aim on the forecast area tonight through Monday. With a moisture source from the deep tropics, it will feature heavy rain, gusty winds at times and snow levels above 7000 feet. Snowmelt and increased runoff will result in significant rises to area rivers, streams, and creeks. Models have been consistent in showing the greatest potential for heavy rain in Curry/western Josephine Counties, but recent trends have shown more rainfall farther north.
So, have expanded the areal flood watches northward. Small stream and urban flooding is likely in those areas. Main stem river flooding is possible with some like the Coquille/lower Rogue/Umpqua/Sprague getting to action stage/bankfull, though no current main stem rivers are forecast to go above flood stage. This may change, so keep checking the forecasts. Forecast graphics below have been updated.
At about 11:30am this morning an OSP fish and game trooper called for emergency backup during a traffic stop on Highway 97 in the Gilchrist area of northern Klamath County.
According to initial information obtained by Klamath Alerts the suspect who was stopped by the trooper had an arrest warrant out of California for dangerous weapon possession charges. Initial reports state that the suspect pointed a 30-30 rifle at the trooper before barricading himself inside a residence on Pond Drive in Gilchrist that was near the original traffic stop.
Sheriff Deputies from Klamath County along with many law enforcement personnel from the Bend region responded. Highway 97 was closed for about an hour and a half as a precaution because of the proximity of the standoff to the highway.
An armored vehicle and UAV Drone were used by police during the standoff. The suspect was taken into custody at around 1:12pm. Highway 97 is now reported open in both directions.
This incident and others were covered live in our breaking news service. For about 3 cents a day you can stay informed of incidents like this as they occur.
More information will be published if it becomes available from law enforcement.
Above: Approximate location of standoff this morning in Gilchrist area
Please refer to Figure 1 for approximate projected flow timing and magnitude associated with next week’s flow event at Link River. Again, note travel time is approximate and the general timing and magnitude of these flows may vary substantially from that presented here given the dynamic nature of the approaching storm system.
Given the magnitude of possible Upper Klamath Lake net inflow currently forecasted through next week (possibly in excess of 8,000 cfs in a single day), projections indicate that flows meeting or exceeding the criteria for a surface flushing flow (6,030 cfs for 72 hours) are likely to be observed at Iron Gate Dam as a direct result of flood operation releases at Link River Dam (see Figure 1 below). As such, Reclamation is currently directing PacifiCorp to operate to the Upper Klamath Lake flood control elevations and is not requesting any additional releases above those necessary for flood control operations from Link River Dam at this time.
Reclamation will continue to monitor the storm timing and magnitude and may need to provide additional guidance to PacifiCorp over the weekend or early next week. For instance, if the storm comes in lighter than expected, Reclamation may need to direct PacifiCorp to increase Link River Dam releases to meet minimum surface flushing flow criteria at Iron Gate Dam if flood operation releases at Link River Dam would otherwise be less than the volume or duration required for surface flushing flows. Conversely, if the storm comes in heavier than expected, it may be necessary and prudent to increase Link River Dam releases above those specifically required by the flood control curve to create additional storage space in Upper Klamath Lake to prepare for additional projected high inflows. Reclamation’s commitment is to balance the opportunity to produce a higher volume (deep) flushing flow with public safety and property concerns associated with the uncertainty of the overall system’s response to unpredictable and spatially variable runoff resulting from large storms.
In summary, Reclamation is still evaluating maximizing releases at Link River Dam; however, PacifiCorp expressed serious concerns about potential downstream flooding at flows greater than 9,000 cfs below Iron Gate Dam. At this time, due to safety concerns, Reclamation is not requesting explicit implementation of an 11,250 cfs flow at Iron Gate Dam (a deep flushing flow), or maximum releases from Link River Dam if not otherwise necessary for flood operations. While Reclamation is not directing PacifiCorp to take any action outside its “general” flood control operations, should Reclamation determine that hydrologic conditions and public safety make a “deep flushing flow” feasible, Reclamation will so notify PacifiCorp as to the specifics of that operation with due consideration to river conditions downstream of Iron Gate Dam.
Figure 1. Projected flow timing and magnitude associated with next week’s flow event at Link River (orange line), Keno (blue line), and Iron Gate (gray line) dams. Note that travel time is approximate and that the general timing and magnitude of these flows may vary substantially from that presented here given the dynamic nature of the approaching storm system.