A picturesque Northern California town that had become a must-see for thousands of hikers attempting to hike the Pacific Crescent Trail suddenly found itself turned away.
Mount Etna in Siskiyou County seems off the list for intrepid California hikers.
The reason: nearby forest fires are forcing hikers to consider changing their route.
Backpackers often stopped at Etna, which had earned a reputation as “the friendliest town on the road.”
The town was the perfect place to spend the night in the middle of a tour of the Klamath National Forest.
Etna in Siskiyou County, described as “the friendliest town on the trail,” appears to be off the list for intrepid California hikers this year.
A lightning strike in June sparked some of the fires near the Klamath National Forest.
Up to 6,000 hikers a year passed through this small town with a population of just over 1,000 people.
But the Shelly Fire, which began in early July and has so far burned more than 15,460 acres, has plunged the small community into chaos for the third year in a row. As of Friday, it was 18 percent contained.
For experienced hikers covering the entire 2,650-mile route from Mexico to California, Etna was the perfect place to recharge and relax before rejoining the massive trail.
Nestled beneath a coniferous forest in the Marble Mountain Wilderness, it was once ranked as one of the best towns in the country and described as a “ranch town trapped in time” that is Yellowstone “minus the traffic jams.”
Although those living on Etna are more than happy with their bucolic isolation, over the years the community had come to rely on seasonal visitors.
There are a couple of shops and a few places to stay overnight on Etna, as well as several guest houses for weary travelers.
The Shelly Fire on the Pacific Crest Trail has closed a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail that runs from Etna Summit to the intersection with the Shackleford Trail.
Backpackers check in at the southern terminal along the U.S.-Mexico border in Campo, California
Etna is a small town in Northern California with a population of 1,000 that can swell to 6,000 as hikers pass through.
The Shelly Fire has burned 15,460 acres and is currently 18 percent contained.
Last week, however, Etna was ordered to evacuate or prepare to leave as a wildfire approached.
This means that anyone thinking of hiking the PCT will now have to take a different route and avoid Etna altogether.
Some have decided to detour to Mount Shasta City, about 70 miles away, where there are more resources, while others are simply avoiding the area altogether and heading to neighboring Oregon.
Although few hikers visited Etna this year, the town has seen an unexpected surge in a different group of clientele: firefighters.
There are nearly 4,000 people working to contain the Shelly Fire and first responders are coming from as far away as Maine, with many ending up in center of Etna.
“We’re seeing a little bit of an uptick in business thanks to all these firefighters working so hard to save our little town,” said Brandy Hudson, co-owner of Dotty’s Burger and Fries. Gate of Saint Francis.
“They set up a fire camp two miles up the road, and even though they have a mobile kitchen and catering, they sometimes get tired of the food,” Hudson said. “And everyone knows that Dotty’s has the best ice cream in the valley.”
Residents of Etna have put up posters to thank the firefighters for their service.
Etna residents thank new visitors to the village
Even subtle signs can convey the gratitude of a town with more than 4,000 inhabitants in the area.
Nearly 4,000 people are working to contain the Shelly Fire, with first responders arriving from as far away as Maine, with many ending up in downtown Etna.
Nearly 4,000 firefighters are working to contain the Shelly Fire, with rescuers arriving from as far away as Maine, many ending up in downtown Etna.
Backpacker Stan Nassano heads to the Pacific Crest Trail at the southern terminus (file)
Despite the presence of heroic visitors, the absence of hikers has changed the overall feel of the town that had become a staple for those hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.
“There’s nothing positive about this,” said Meg Pick, owner of Etna Creek Outfitters.
“Hikers have told us that Etna is the most welcoming town on the trail. We miss the hikers and the infusion of culture that comes with Etna,” said Craig Thompson, owner of the Bluebird Inn.
“They support the economy, but there is that human element. We miss the friends we haven’t met yet.”
The Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) had suggested that a smarter system needed to be put in place that would communicate directly with hikers about potential closures along the trail, and now an app has finally been developed.
Mount Etna on Sawyers Bar Road in Siskiyou County, California, overlooking the Russian Desert
Mount Etna Summit on Sawyers Bar Road in Siskiyou County, California
That way, hikers wouldn’t simply avoid the area when it is, in fact, still open to the world.
‘June 25th, We created this application “I made it at home and put it out into the world,” said PCTA trail information manager Jack Haskel. “The next day, I had to update it with news of fires one after another.”
However, California’s wildfire season appears to be active, with a number of large fires already burning across the Golden State.
A lightning strike sparked some of the fires in early June, after two consecutive wet winters lifted the state out of drought but created abundant grasslands that have since dried up.
The Vista Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest and the White Fire in the Tehachapi Mountains have also closed several trail sections in Southern California.
In Northern California, the Shelly Fire is the biggest threat in the area. Two weeks after it started, it is still less than 20 percent contained.
Etna has been on alert for most of July despite “getting used to these big fires”.
Firefighters are working hard to prevent the flames from spreading eastwards towards the city centre, but there is always an element of suspense, which depends largely on weather conditions, particularly wind and rain.
“The strange thing about wildfires is that you have to wait so long,” Thompson added.
“There are certain catastrophic fires that spread quickly, but the fire we are experiencing now is growing slowly. The wait is unsettling.”
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