Soda Fire reaches 50% containment in Siskiyou County
Key Takeaway: Firefighters increased containment of the 14-acre Soda Fire burning in the Klamath National Forest to 50% as of Tuesday evening.
Firefighters battling a blaze in Siskiyou County have made steady progress, bringing the Soda Fire to 50% containment by the evening of October 20, 2026. According to CAL FIRE, “The Soda Fire is now 50% contained and remains 14 acres.”
The incident began late in the evening on October 18, 2026, at Bear Creek, located southwest of Sterling Mountain and approximately 10 miles north of the Klamath River community. KRCR reported that crews from multiple departments responded to the fire.
Jurisdiction over the incident falls to the U.S. Forest Service, and CAL FIRE noted that the incident is managed at the federal level rather than as a state-controlled fire response. No evacuations, structural damage, or injuries have been reported.
Fire Progression and Terrain Challenges
The fire was reported at about 10 acres at 9:44 PM on October 18 and reached 12 acres by 6:07 AM on October 19. During these early stages, the U.S. Forest Service noted that “The Soda Fire on the Klamath National Forest now has a hoselay around it and is 12 acres, burning in timber, snags, and heavy dead and down material.”
Crews faced steep, rocky terrain, heavy fuels, active fire behaviour, and rolling debris. Multiple cooperating agencies joined forces, including Klamath National Forest firefighters, the Klamath River Hose Company, local fire departments from Weed and Fort Jones, and auxiliary engines from the Shasta-Trinity and Six Rivers national forests.
By the morning of October 19, a hoselay had been laid around the fire and handlines were nearly complete. By October 20, containment had increased to 40% by 10:41 AM and to 50% by 8:08 PM, according to CAL FIRE.
Containment Milestones
Containment climbed incrementally as firefighters secured the perimeter. As KRCR noted regarding intermediate progress, “As of 9 p.m., Oct. 19, the Soda Fire is 40 percent contained, according to the USFS.”
By the morning of October 20, official tracking confirmed the mapping status: “The Soda Fire is now 40% contained and had been mapped at 14 acres.” By 8:08 PM on October 20, CAL FIRE reported that the fire was 50% contained and remained at 14 acres.
Describing the final operational push on October 20, the U.S. Forest Service, Klamath National Forest stated that “Firefighters continued to reinforce containment lines on the 14-acre Soda Fire today, increasing the containment to 50%.”
Key Story Metrics
| Figure | Reported Status |
|---|---|
| Containment | 50% (evening of 20 Oct 2026, CAL FIRE) |
| Area Burned | 14 acres mapped |
| Start Date | October 18, 2026, at 9:42 PM |
| Location | Bear Creek, southwest of Sterling Mountain, Siskiyou County |
| Jurisdiction | U.S. Forest Service, Klamath National Forest |
✓ Verified
It is confirmed that the Soda Fire started on October 18, 2026, in Siskiyou County and reached 50% containment by the evening of October 20 across 14 acres. No evacuations, road closures, injuries, or structure damage occurred.
⚠ Still needs confirmation
None.
- Sacramento Bee: Update: 50% containment reached for Soda Fire in Siskiyou County (2026-10-21)
- CAL FIRE: Incident Update for Soda Fire (2026-10-20)
- KOBI-TV NBC5: West Fork Evans Creek Fire at 45% containment, Soda Fire at 40% (2026-10-20)
- KDRV NewsWatch 12: Soda Fire in Klamath National Forest reaches 12 acres (2026-10-19)
- KRCR: Soda Fire burns 12 acres in Klamath National Forest as crews work to strengthen firelines (2026-10-19)
- U.S. Forest Service, Klamath National Forest: Official Updates (2026-10-20)
Editor’s note: Details reflect reporting through October 21, 2026.
