Thursday, September 14, 2017

9-14-17 High Cascades Complex West Fire Daily Update







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

An Army strike team of 70 infantry personnel from Joint Base Lewis-McChord (WA) is adding its muscle to the prep work being done along forest roads around the Broken Lookout Fire.

Work to be performed includes brushing, chipping and extending water lines to prepare for a more direct attack on the fire’s east-facing flank. To prepare soldiers for this type of assignment, the Devils Canyon (WY) Type 2 Initial Attack Crew was embedded in the unit earlier in the season.

Helicopters will continue focusing their efforts in the Squaw Creek drainage, where northwest winds are pushing the fire southward toward Donegan Creek. The primary carrier of fire in this area has been “goat’s beard” lichen, which hangs from evergreens and is easily spread by light winds.

On the Pup Fire, ground crews are working to reinforce Forest Road 6520 where a finger of the fire is moving south/southeast toward the Douglas-Jackson County line.

Low humidity at higher elevations could affect fire behavior today. Incident meteorologists use weather balloons to collect real-time weather conditions in a fire zone, which helps management choose the most appropriate firefighting strategies.

Protection measures are in place for structures and infrastructure in and around both fires. The community of Union Creek remains on a Level 1 Evacuation notice. Fire crews are also patrolling the fire perimeters watching for spots or spread outside containment lines.

Umpqua National Forest has revised the Cougar Bluff, Steamboat, Calf-Copeland/Devil’s Canyon, Sandshed/Millsite and Falcon closures on the Tiller, Diamond Lake and North Umpqua Ranger Districts. The updated closure order and maps can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/5503/ as can fire-related road, trail, and area closures associated with the High Cascades Complex on both the Umpqua and Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.

Other restrictions: The Umpqua National Forest has lowered its Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) to III (partial shutdown). The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest remains under IFPL IV (general shutdown). For a complete description of IFPLs, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/rogue-siskiyou/fire/?cid=fseprd545253

Incident Summary

Approximate Size: Broken Lookout 18,366 acres Pup 7,080 acres Total High Cascades: 59,855
Fire Containment: Broken Lookout 21% Pup 6%
Incident Commander: Shawn Sheldon
Resources on the fire: Crews: 14, Helicopters: 5, Engines: 19, Water Tenders: 11, Dozers: 3
Total Personnel: Total: 932
Jurisdiction: Rogue River-Siskiyou NF, Umpqua NF

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5503
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/R6RRSNF/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/RRSNF
Oregon Smoke Blog: http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/
Southwest Oregon Joint Information Center: http://swojic.blogspot.com/


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