08-31 JIC Summary

Joint Information Center (JIC)                                                           swofireinfo@gmail.com 541-608-1243                                                                                                                  http://swojic.blogspot.com                                                                                                                              

08-31 JIC Summary

OVERVIEW

There has been a tremendous amount of interagency collaboration on the three large fires in

southwest Oregon.  Numerous state, federal, and local agencies are working together to suppress fire in an extremely busy and difficult fire season.  These agencies work together prior to fire season to build relationships, set expectations and develop plans and operating procedures which results in a much more coordinated and safe response to fires.

Labor Day weekend is fast approaching and the public should check the links below for area closures, and use restrictions to better help plan any weekend outings on public lands:

Area Closure Information: Several large wildfires are burning in southwest Oregon.  Area closures have been implemented on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and BLM lands. Find these closures on inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5385/39248/.

Use Restrictions are in place for public health and safety:  Public Use Restrictions have been increased across the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. No campfires are allowed.

Rogue River-Siskiyou NF web page):  https://www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou/.  

Oregon/Washington Firefighters and Support Personnel Statistics:  

• There are 9,600 firefighters and support personnel mobilized in Oregon and Washington.
• There are 19,000 firefighters and support personnel mobilized nationwide.

• The largest fire/complex to date in Oregon is the Chetco Bar for a total of 128,738 acres.
• The largest fire/complex to date in Washington is the Silver Dollar at 30,984 acres.

Closure Information

Several large wildfires are burning in southwest Oregon. Area closures have been implemented on the Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest and BLM lands. Fire restrictions are in place. https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts-notices

FIRES AT A GLANCE

FIRE RESOURCES	CHETCO BAR	MILLER	HIGH CASCADES	TOTAL RESOURCES
Acres	131,197	14,239	26,331	171,767
Personnel	1,427	550	624	2,601
Crews	37	11	14	62
Engines	78	37	22	137
Dozers	19	6	2	27
Water Tenders	21	5	6	32
Helicopters	7	1	7	15

For more information on what the evacuation levels mean, visit: http://www.rvem.org/general-evacuation-information.html

See swojic.blogspot.com for the latest information.

Chetco Bar Fire

Fire Stats:

Start Date: July 12, 2017 Cause: Lightning  Acres: 131,197  acres  Total Personnel: 1,427

Current Situation

Oregon State Fire Marshal task forces continue assessing structures in the Winchuck and Pistol River areas; preparing homes for the possibility of fire being pushed into the area by the coming winds.

South of the fire, crews will work on constructing alternate lines and tying in the section where fire crossed Emily Creek. On the northwest perimeter, crews will bring line north to steer fire north and east. A contingent of firefighters will work from a remote camp near Agness; reducing travel time. On the eastern flank, firefighters are looking for opportunities to use fire line previously constructed during the 2002 Biscuit Fire while assessing structures along the Illinois River just east of the Wilderness. An increased presence of fire traffic can be expected throughout Illinois Valley.

Evacuations

Evacuations are in place in Curry County. They are being continually evaluated and adjusted to reflect developing conditions and resource availability.

Red Cross is moving its evacuation shelter in Gold Beach to the Curry County Fairgrounds showcase building at 29392 Ellensburg Avenue. Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation is also operating a shelter at The Xaa-wan’-k’wvt Village & Resort (old Ship Ashore) RV Park located at 12370 Highway 101 North in Smith River.

Residents are encouraged to monitor the interactive evacuation map for changes: Evacuation Map

Chetco Bar 08-31

High Cascades Complex

[Active: Branch I (Blanket Creek, Spruce Lake); Branch II (Broken Lookout, Pup, Paradise, Windy Gap.]

Fire Stats

Cause: Lightning; Sherwood Fire under investigation Complex Size: 26,331 acres Total Personnel: 624

Complex Containment: 37%

Current Situation:  

Today firefighters will continue preparing the Union Creek area to protect it against the Broken Lookout Fire.  Across the High Cascades Complex, crews will continue to construct indirect fire line along forest roads and Hwy 68 (the Blanket Fire).  They will also be looking for opportunities to conduct tactical burnout operations at various locations across the complex and to mop up fire line.   Crews have nearly completed work along Highway 62 and have conducted a number of successful burnout operations.To improve firefighting productivity, two spike camps will be set up; one at Woodruff OHV Play Area and the other near Fort Klamath.   Today will be hot and dry.  Strong east winds and low relative humidity tonight will contribute to a Red Flag Warning in effect beginning tonight through tomorrow morning.  These conditions may lead to very active fire behavior, with increased torching and spotting possible.

A community meeting is planned at the amphitheater in Union Creek Campground on Friday, September 1 at 6 pm.  Fire managers and agency officials will discuss the status of the fires and planned operations.

Evacuations:  A Level 1 Evacuation Notification was issued yesterday for the Union Creek area by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.  No changes have been made to the Level 1 Evacuation Notification at Mazama Village in Crater Lake National Park.

Closures:  The Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest has expanded the area closure west of Hwy 62 and 230 around the Broken Lookout, Windy Gap, Paradise and Pup fires.  This Closure has closed all OHV trails on the High Cascades Ranger District.  For specific information visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5503.

Blanket Creek Fire Map 08-31	High Cascades Complex PDF 08-31	Broken Lookout and Windy Gap Fires Map 08-31

Miller Complex

[Active: Branch I (Creedence, Bigelow); Branch II (Burnt Peak); Branch III (Abney, Knox, Avalanche Cougar). 100% Lined: Steamboat, Lime Gulch; Contained: Border, Foster, Green Valley, Steve Peak, Slick Rock, Bear Wallow, Overview, Whiskey Ridge, Kinney, Lightning Gulch]

Fire Statistics

Start Date: August 14, 2017 Cause: Lightning Complex Size: 14,239 acres Total Personnel: 550 Complex Containment: 40%

Current Situation: Red Flag warning for poor humidity recoveries and gusty east to northeast winds will be in effect from Thursday night into Friday morning. Heat will begin to build again Thursday afternoon and through the weekend. It will be extremely hot, dry and smoky.

Evacuations: The following areas are now under a Level 2 (Be Set) Evacuation Notice:

• Palmer Creek Road and Kinney Creek Road (Forest Service Road 1090)
• Both sides of Upper Applegate Road from Palmer Creek Road to the Applegate Dam Spillway (This includes Bolder City)
• Beaver Creek Road

The following areas are now in a Level 1 (Be Ready) Evacuation Notice:

• Carberry Creek Road from Applegate Road up to and including Steamboat Ranch
• Palmer Creek Road/Applegate Road intersection north to 7449 Applegate Road and Eastside Road from Upper Applegate Road north to 2874 Eastside Road.
• South from Applegate Dam Spillway around all of Applegate Lake (1/8 mile buffer around water to include all private property).

The following Recreation Sites:

• Hart-tish, Harr Pt, Watkins, Tipsu Tyee, Latgawa Cove and Stringtown campgrounds
• Carberry Picnic Ground

The Joe Bar area, located in California, remains under an evacuation order.

Miller Complex 08-31

A Southwest Oregon Joint Information Center (JIC) has been established in Medford to serve as a ‘one-stop-shopping’ spot to get information on fires and information related to fires currently burning on federal and state lands.  Agencies represented at the JIC include the USDA Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry, Coos Forest Protective Association, Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service.