News

August 06, 2006 - Wildlife fire burns 150 acres at Clear Lake NWR

Early August lightning storms hammered northeastern California, resulting in dozens of new fires around Klamath Basin's wildlife refuges. One lightning strike touched off the 158 acres Wildlife fire on the eastern shores of Clear Lake NWR. Pushed by high winds and an advancing weather system, the fire quickly consumed grass and sagebrush before leaving the refuge and burning onto lands administered by the Modoc National Forest. A helicopter was sent to the fire and used its water dropping bucket to slow the spread until rain eventually brought it to a standstill. Refuge fire personnel spent much of the first week of August at Clear Lake mopping up the Wildlife fire, ensuring no additional flare-ups and extinguishing any lingering heat.

Clear Lake NWR was established in 1911 and hosts one of only two remaining white pelican colonies in California. Geese, cormorants, Pronghorn antelope and Mule deer all inhabit the lands protected by the refuge.