8-27-17 Miller Complex Daily Update

For a downloadable, emailable PDF of this update, click here.

Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team - Todd Pechota, Incident Commander

Information Center: 541-899-5302

Hours of operation: 7 am – 9 pm

Email: MillerComplex2017@gmail.com

Public Meetings: Tuesday, August 29 at 6 pm at Applegate Fire District #9 (1095 Upper Applegate Road) in the training building and Wednesday, August 30 at 6 pm at the Williams Elementary School (20691 Williams Hwy).

Current Situation: The fires continue to move slowly in most areas, but are still experiencing some active burning conditions. The weather will continue to become hotter and drier through Monday, which is expected to increase fire behavior. There is potential for growth on all fires in the complex. Smoke continues to create poor air quality and hamper use of air resources.

Branch I: Creedence Fire and Bigelow Fire (Grayback Fire)

Crews continue to focus on establishing control lines on the west side of the fire using existing roads toward Little Creek. Firing operations are being conducted as necessary to keep up with the natural progression of the fire on the west side. The fires in this Branch are approximately 7 miles south of Williams and 2 miles east of Oregon National Monument and Preserve.

Branch II: Burnt Peak Fire

Firefighters are using existing roads to box the fire’s progression from the north and south. Firing operations were conducted yesterday to slowly ease the fire to the control lines. This Branch is approximately 9 miles southwest of Ruch and 3 miles north of Applegate Lake.

Branch III: Seattle Fire, Abney Fire and Cook Fire

Firefighters continue to build and improve control lines on the north and east flanks, while looking for opportunities to establish lines on the south and west. Firing operations will continue, as needed, using indirect line north and west of Strickland Butte. These fires are burning in Oregon and California south of Applegate Lake. The community of Joe Bar is ½ mile north of the fire.

For a downloadable, emailable PDF of this update, click here.

Miller Complex 8-27-17 Fire Map

Evacuations and Closures: The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has closed three areas on the Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District in support of fire suppression efforts, including National Forest land between Kinney and Palmer creeks; the Grayback Mountain area; and the areas south of Applegate Lake. Local residents will be allowed to access their property; please bring proof of residence. The Bureau of Land Management has closed the Grayback Mountain Trailhead. For specific descriptions and maps of the closures, go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/rogue-siskiyou/home/?cid=fseprd555085.

As a precautionary measure, Level 1 (Be Ready) Evacuation Notices were issued for the following areas:

• Palmer Creek Road at Upper Applegate Road to the 1090/1095 split
• West of Upper Applegate Road and east of Applegate River from Palmer Creek Road to Jackson Campground (11,000 block)
• Boulder City at 11425 Upper Applegate Road
• Carberry Creek Road at Applegate Road to Steamboat Ranch
• Joe Bar area

(For a map of these evacuations, please see the Miller Complex tab on our page.)

Fire Statistics:
Start Date: August 14, 2017

Cause: Lightning
Complex Sized: 14,066 acres

Total Personnel: 537
Complex Containment: 48%

Social Media Resources:
Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5514/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MillerComplexFires/ or https://facebook/R6RRSNF

Twitter: #MillerComplex