Klamath Alerts

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

Residential Structure Fire on Douglas Ave 4-11-19

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.

candlesafetytips

Above: photo of fire scene yesterday provided by KCFD1

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.

Expect multiple work zones and delays for cleanup

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 19^th and 20^th 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 20^th 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.

Flood Watch issued April 07 at 2:35PM PDT until April 11 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Medford

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.

Highway 97 Now Open After Armed Standoff In Gilchrist Area

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