McCloud, Pit & Bagley Fire

Ted Fay Fly Shop says "The fire has burned to the river in the public water section from Ash Camp to near Ah Di Na", and has an erie photo of a red sky at night at the McCloud Reservoir, plus one just "over the ridge" from Ah Di Na with smoke and a helicopter in the sky.

The most recent official report (as of this post) said:
"a spot fire was discovered over containment line in the vicinity of the Nature Conservancy McCloud River Preserve facilities. Firefighters and helicopters quickly attacked the spot and were able to contain it at .25 acre."

If you follow the link there are two maps. Since they are hard to read, I did my best amateurish job to point out the location of Ash Camp and Ah Di Na. It's also affecting the Pit near Big Bend. Chris at Be The Fly Says "Pit #5-#7 are fishing great, but road closures thanks to the Bagley fire will prevent you from getting near the river."

It looks like the McCloud downstream from Hawkins creek is...literally Ash, and the fire went all the way down to the river from there to about half way to Ah Di Na. In these areas the view looking across from the Ah Di Na side of the river will be ugly. Can't believe it. Just fished that exact stretch in July for the first time. Unbelieveable.

What a bummer.

Extra effort caretaking the River in the future will be necessary.

Prayers and hopes go out to the men and women risking all in the line of fire - no pun intended.

JGB