09-15-17 (West) Curry Chetco Bar Fire Update

Chetco Unified Command will be conducting a community meeting for the residents of the Winchuck area tonight at 6:00 pm. The meeting will be hosted by the Winchuck Fire Department and will be held at the fire station at 363 Winchuck River Road. Officials will report on the fire, followed by a brief question and answer period.

The southeastern perimeter within the Gold Beach Ranger District of the Kalmiopsis Wilderness from Hawk Creek west to Chetco Lake has been contained. Burning operations were utilized to construct lines on the southern perimeter along the 1205 Road, southwest to the Wheeler Creek area. Crews are retrieving hose lines and equipment along the southwest and western perimeter from Miller Bar to north of Palmer Butte and north, just south of Bosley Butte. The fire is still active in the northwest perimeter near Snow Camp Mountain, and crews continue to construct and strengthen control lines along this perimeter.

Dozers have been deployed in the southernmost portion of the perimeter near DP9 to construct lines.

Data collection is continuing on the western portion of the fire’s perimeter for suppression repair activities. Patrol and mop continues all along the western side of the fire.

Smoke impacts continue to be light to moderate in communities surrounding the fire but overall, air quality has improved.

Closures and Evacuations: Level 1 and Level 2 evacuation orders remain for portions of Brookings-Harbor and the Upper Winchuck areas. Forest area, road and trail closures are still in effect. For further information, see: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts-notices

Weather: A dry cold front is forecasted to move into the area, bringing cooler temperatures. Another weather front is expected to move into the area by Sunday, bringing with it the possibility of measurable precipitation over the fire.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR):There is a TFR over the Chetco Bar Fire. http://tfr.faa.gov/  

Fire Size: 188,284 acres

Containment: 38%

Resources: Hand Crews: 56, Helicopters: 12, Engines: 44, Dozers: 21, Water Tenders: 31, Skidders: 2

Total Personnel: 1,744

Location: 5 miles east of Brookings, OR

Started: 07/12/2017

Cause: Lightning

Incident Commanders: Beth Lund, GB Team 1 Melvin Thornton, CFPA

09-14-17 Chetco Bar (East) Update Josephine County

On Thursday, the most significant fire activity was on the Indigo Fire (784 Fire). Smoldering, creeping, short uphill runs and group tree torching were observed on its northeast perimeter. The fire grew to 360 acres yesterday evening and developed a smoke column and cloud. Fire spread to the northeast but did not cross the West Fork of Indigo Creek into Josephine County. The Indigo Fire is located away from the road system in the area, and has not yet led to road closures. Three crews established a spike camp near the fire and will continue to brush out the 055 and 510 roads. Rock scree has kept the fire in check on its west side. Helicopters will drop water on the fire as needed to reduce spread.

The most activity in the East Zone of the Chetco Bar Fire was in the horseshoe bend of the Illinois River. Smoldering, creeping, short uphill runs and group tree torching were observed. The fire continues to slowly spread northeast. The Chetco Bar Fire is currently 188,284 acres and 38% contained.

Yesterday, two crews completed handline construction across the rocky areas along the ridge west of the headwaters of Parker Creek. The crews returned to fire camp after staying in a spike camp for two nights. Crews also completed the handline near Woodcock Peak. Fire containment line is now completed from the California border to the south end of Chrome Ridge.
Today, fire crews plan to continue brushing, chipping and masticating between Chrome Ridge and Bear Camp. East Zone crews have continued reopening Biscuit firelines from Bear Camp west into Curry County. They are coordinating with the West Zone to determine where to connect firelines both here and on the south side of the fire.

Today’s high temperatures will increase 2-4 degrees with a high of 80 degrees on ridges. Relative humidity (RH) will decrease, with the minimum RH forecast at 20%. With a morning inversion, winds will be light and variable. Later in the day, winds will come out of the north/northeast at 5-10 mph with gusts to 15 mph on ridges. Potential fire activity today is moderate. Group tree torching and spotting to ¼ mile are possible.

Smoke: Cave Junction is forecast to have good air quality today with no restrictions. Agness is forecast to have moderate air quality today, so unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. For current air quality information and forecasts go to http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com.

Closures and Restrictions: Firefighting trucks and equipment are using Road 23 to access work areas on the north side of the Chetco Bar Fire. The public should be alert and follow posted speed limits along Road 23. Many areas and activities are closed or restricted due to current and expected fire activity and hazard. More details are available:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/5385/ People can view maps of the current Evacuation Notification areas at http://arcg.is/1LmzPe.


Fire at a Glance:
Size: 188,284 acres
Started: July 12, 2017 by Lightning
Containment: 38%

Assigned Resources: Helicopters shared across the Chetco Bar Fire: four Type 3; three Type 2; one Type 1; three National Guard Type 1. Ground resources on the Chetco East Zone including 784 Fire/Indigo Fire: 14 Type 2 crews; 8 Engines; 5 Fallers; 1 Feller Buncher; 4 Dozers; 5 Water Tenders; 6 Masticators; 2 Chippers; 1 Skidder, 1 Grader.