09-17-17 Miller Complex Update

09-17-17 Miller Complex Daily Update 

Current Situation: The Miller Complex grew slightly again yesterday and remains at 59% containment overall. The fire continues to be active in the vicinity of the Middle Fork of the Applegate River and below Whiskey Ridge. This activity is the result of continued low fuel moistures and low humidity allowing the fire to burn.

Firefighters are making good progress meeting objectives with safety as the top priority. Today, crews are expecting below normal temperatures and active fire behavior in some areas within the perimeter. This could result in continued smoke in the vicinity of the Abney Fire. The public can expect to see smoke from the interior of these fires until a season-ending weather event occurs.

The Abney Fire has become established in the West Fork of Dutch Creek and has traveled up to the top of the ridge above the creek. In the Joe Bar area, the fire has now backed down to the creek as anticipated. Joe Bar remains under an evacuation warning and it is being evaluated.

Crews continue to monitor, patrol and secure containment lines in other areas of the Abney Fire.

Suppression repair is nearing completion on the Burnt Peak, Creedence and Bigelow Fires. This is a series of immediate post-fire actions taken to repair the land and minimize the potential for soil erosion that might arise from suppression activities. Firefighters will be chipping material which was produced by the removal of brush and placing water bars in some constructed firelines to reduce the chances of erosion.

Today is expected to be sunny and dry with cooler temperatures providing for continued fire activity before a front arrives this evening which will bring moisture and cooler temperatures over the next few days. Although we expect wetting rains from this system which will decrease fire activity for a while, it is not likely to be a season ending event.

There will be a community meeting at the Applegate Valley Fire Station #9, Tuesday evening, September 19, at 6 p.m., to provide an update on fire operations and team management.

Fire Statistics: Start Date: August 14, 2017 Cause: Lightning Complex Size: 35,846 acres

Containment: 59% Personnel: 450

Closures: The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has closed areas on the Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts-notices. The Bureau of Land Management has closed the Grayback Mountain Trailhead. Klamath National Forest closures include a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. Refer to https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices.