California Wildfires: End in sight for Klamathon, County fires

Photo: Danielle Jester / Associated Press

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In this photo taken Thursday, July 5, 2018, the Klamathon Fire burns near Copco Road in Hornbrook, Calif. The wildfire burning through drought-stricken timber and brush near California's border with Oregon has killed one person and destroyed multiple structures. (Danielle Jester/Siskiyou Daily News via AP) less

Photo: Danielle Jester / Associated Press

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In this photo released Friday, July 6, 2018, by the California Highway Patrol, the Klamathon Fire burns in Hornbrook, Calif. A local California official says a deadly blaze burning near the Oregon border moved swiftly through the rural area that is home to many retirees. Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors chair Ray Haupt says the blaze moved so fast it quickly reached Hornbrook, a community of about 250 people about 14 miles (22 kilometers) south of the Oregon border. Authorities said one person was killed in the fire. (California Highway Patrol via AP) less

Photo: Associated Press

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Photo: Associated Press

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Lake Forest volunteer firefighters from left, Kyle Potter, Dylan Beck and Jerod Ellis work on putting out hot spots in an area burned down by the Klamathon Fire Friday, July 6, 2018, in Hornbrook, Calif. (Greg Barnette/The Record Searchlight/USA TODAY Network via AP) less

Photo: Greg Barnette / Associated Press

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An inferno that burned from California into Oregon over the last week is expected to be fully under control by Sunday as firefighters established containment lines overnight, officials said.

The Klamathon Fire, which started July 5 in Siskiyou County, was 70 percent contained Thursday at 36,500 acres, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire.

Throughout the week, as many as 2,299 responders have worked to establish containment lines with one major challenge: gaining access to the north side of the fire.

Overnight, crews successfully established containment lines north of the blaze and minimal fire activity was expected throughout the day Thursday as the fire remained inside the perimeter, Cal Fire said.

All mandatory evacuations were lifted for California and Oregon residents, though residents of Jackson County were advised to remain on alert.

A total of 82 structures were destroyed in the blaze, 12 were damaged and 315 continue to be threatened.

The fire has killed one unidentified Siskiyou County resident and injured three firefighters. A body was found early Friday in the community of Hornbrook, and authorities have yet to disclose the person’s gender.

Authorities said a resident living southwest of the Klamath River allegedly lit a small fire June 30 on a friend’s property, which then spread to a tree, jumped the river and spread into nearby hills.

The Klamathon Fire has been one of nearly a dozen wildfires ravaging the state during an usually early fire season.

The County Fire, the largest active wildfire in the state, has burned 90,288 acres in Yolo and Napa counties, but it was expected to be fully contained by Thursday. As of Wednesday night, the blaze was 89 percent contained.

The conflagration was caused by an improperly installed electric fence, state officials said Wednesday.

The owner of the property in the rural Yolo County community of Guinda was cited for illegally starting the County Fire, which began June 30. Cal Fire officials did not release the property owner’s name or elaborate on what went wrong with the fence.

Twenty structures were destroyed in the fire and three were damaged. No injuries were reported.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani

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