09-23-17 Miller Complex Daily Update

Fire Information: 541-838-0770 Email address: millercomplex2017@gmail.com

A Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) assumed management responsibilities for the Miller Complex Friday
morning. Fire managers evaluate personnel safety and exposure when developing suppression strategies. The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest features heavy fuel loading, steep slopes, rugged terrain and difficult access, all of which influence operational decisions.

Operations Section Chief Jason Hutchinson shared the following statement, “As a team, we are determining the safest, most efficient operational plan. All of our strategies and tactics are based terrain, hazards, weather conditions and fire behavior. Firefighter safety is paramount.”

Fire activity was limited to creeping and smoldering yesterday, burning primarily in heavy downed logs and surface fuels. Today’s fire behavior will be very similar. As we move towards warmer and drier conditions, an increase in fire activity is expected in the Elliot and Dutch creek drainages. High temperatures will be in the mid to upper 60s today and humidity
will drop to around 35 to 40 percent.

Yesterday’s clear skies allowed for aerial observations and a thorough assessment of fire behavior and identification of areas for direct and indirect containment lines. Fire managers will utilize natural barriers and road systems in the Elliot and Dutch creek areas to limit fire growth.

The east flank of the Abney Fire remains the highest priority in the complex
due to the proximity to private land and the amount of uncontrolled fire edge. Crews will continue with fuels reduction operations along road systems to improve primary, alternate and contingency lines.

The Knox Fire, located in the Red Buttes Wilderness, displayed minimal fire activity is being monitored by air. Firefighters completed the majority of work on the Burnt Peak Fire and will patrol the wildfire to ensure that it remains within established containment lines. On the Creedence Fire, crews will remove portable water tanks, hoses and pumps from the fireline and repair resource damage from fire suppression activities. These repair measures include: building water bars, covering hand lines and dozer lines, and chipping woody debris.

Closures: The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has a closure area in place https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/roguesiskiyou/ alerts-notices. The Bureau of Land Management has closed the Grayback Mountain Trailhead.
For Klamath National Forest closures see https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices.

Miller Complex Information Websites:
Inciweb - https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5514/#

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MillerComplexFires/ and https://facebook/R6RRSNF
Miller Complex Abney Fire, south of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) - https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5511/

For all wildfires on the Rogue River-Siskiyou NF, Joint Information Center Blog - http://swojic.blogspot.com/