09-29-17 Chetco Bar Fire Update

Community Meetings The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is hosting two public meetings today to provide a Chetco Bar Fire history and update: • 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Agness RV Park Event Center, 4215 Agness Road, Agness, OR • 6:00–7:00 p.m. at the Curry County Fairgrounds-Event Center on the Beach, 29392 Ellensburg Ave, Gold Beach, OR

Today Crews will continue to seek out and extinguish lingering pockets of heat, repair areas damaged during firefighting efforts, and monitor and patrol secured areas. Nearly 60 miles of dozerline and 50 miles of handline have been restored to a more stable, natural state by chipping, dragging brush, and installing waterbars. Helicopter water drops assisted crews in securing a key piece of remaining uncontained line east of Mount Emily yesterday. A flyover confirmed full containment in the Illinois River drainage area in the northeast portion of the fire. A slight two-acre increase in fire size is due to the burning of interior pockets of fuel and does not reflect an increased fire perimeter. No visible smoke or heat was identified on the Indigo fire yesterday and repair work on roads east and west of the fire has been completed. Closures and Safety Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and Bureau of Land Management Coos Bay District road and area closures remain in effect for all public lands adjacent to the Chetco Bar Fire area due to residual fire activity, heavy equipment in transit, and hazards presented by fire-weakened trees. Managers are assessing progress by firefighters, conditions on the ground, and other factors in order to reduce the scope of closures. Patience is requested and appreciated. For public and firefighter safety, please adhere to closures, whether staffed with road guards or unstaffed. For further information, please call (541) 618-2200 or visit www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts-notices. Weather and Fire Behavior Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain, high temperatures of 60-65, and light inland winds. A cold front is expected to continue moving onshore throughout the day, bringing cool, breezy, and moist weather inland. Fire behavior is expected be minimal and limited to smoldering stump holes. Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) are in effect over the Chetco Bar Fire area. Before flying near the area, pilots are encouraged to check for the most current update at tfr.faa.gov.