Thursday, September 14, 2017




9-14-17 Chetco Bar (East) Update Josephine County



On Wednesday, the most significant fire activity in the Chetco Bar East Zone was in the north end of the fire perimeter. Smoldering, creeping, short uphill runs and single tree torching were observed near the horseshoe of the Illinois River. Fire crews and masticators are working on completing reopened Biscuit fireline to the east.

The 784 Fire (Indigo Fire), on the West Fork of Indigo Creek was also active yesterday. This fire is approximately 182 acres. It was detected on Monday, September 11th and is located approximately 10 miles north of the Chetco Bar Fire. Helicopters dropped water through the day to reduce its spread. Hand crews, dozers and a masticator continue to prepare the 055 and 510 roads to create a fireline to its east side. Crews on the 784 Fire/Indigo Fire will spend the next two nights in a spike camp near their work area to reduce exposure from driving long distances to the main fire camp.

Today: Two crews will complete handline construction in spiny, rocky areas along the ridge west of the headwaters of Parker Creek. The crews will return to fire camp tonight after staying in a spike camp for the past two nights. East of the fire, crews, supported by heavy equipment including a feller buncher, are widening and improving the dozer line along Chrome Ridge and moving north toward Bear Camp. Fire crews are preparing line to Bear Camp from Galice, which provide containment lines for the Chetco Bar and the 784 Fire/Indigo Fire.
Fire crews plan to complete brushing out fireline from the west side of Tennessee Mountain to Woodcock Peak. Work along the Illinois River Road using a masticator is nearly complete. Personnel are scouting locations for fire line near the California boarder to tie in with dozer lines in the west zone.

Weather: Today’s high temperatures will be down 2-4 degrees with a high of 77 degrees on ridges. Relative humidity (RH) will decrease, with the minimum RH forecast at 25%. Winds will be light in the morning, forecast out of the north/northwest with little instability in the atmosphere. Wind gusts between 15-20 mph on ridges are forecast for tonight as a dry cold front moves into the area.

Smoke: There were areas of “moderate” smoke settling in the Illinois River Valley on Wednesday afternoon, which should continue for Cave Junction and Grants Pass today. Unusually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged or heavy exertion. For current air quality information and forecasts go to http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com.

Closures and Restrictions: Many areas and activities are closed or restricted due to current and expected fire activity and hazard. More details are available on 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: 186,365 acres
Started: July 12, 2017 by Lightning
Containment
: 12%


Assigned Resources:
Helicopters shared across the Chetco Bar Fire: five 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; 6 Dozers; 4 Water Tenders; 6 Masticators; 2 Chippers; 1 Skidder, 1 Grader.




09-13-17 (West) Curry Chetco Bar Fire Update


Evacuation orders in Curry County were re-evaluated on September 13th, 2017.

The following areas are under a Level 1 Evacuation: • Southern Curry County line at the sea front, north to the Pistol River area, including:  Carpenterville Road and all intersecting roads east and west;  Gardner Ridge Road from the intersection of North Bank to Palmer View Road;  North Bank Chetco Road to Loeb Park, and South Bank Chetco Road to the Salmon Run Golf Course • Level 1 evacuations also in effect for areas of Del Norte, California 
The following areas are under a Level 2 Evacuation: • East above Peavine Road in the Winchuck Drainage • South Bank of the Chetco above Salmon Run Golf Course • North Bank of the Chetco above Loeb Park to include Wilderness Retreat • Gardner Ridge Road above Palmer Butte to include Cate and Hazel Camp Areas 
There are no Level 3 Evacuation orders currently in effect in Curry County. 
Residents in the affected areas will see changes in location and staffing of traffic control points operated by the National Guard in the coming days. These changes are made to reflect modifications to evacuation orders for these areas. The Curry County Sheriff’s Office requests that traffic in the affected areas be limited to residents, essential services, and those engaged in fire suppression and recovery operations. For more information contact Chetco Fire Information at 619-894-9111. 
Closures: 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 expected to move across the region today producing gusty winds along ridges in the afternoon, giving potential for some fire growth. 
Fire behavior: The cooler weather has moderated fire intensity and spread. Conditions have allowed crews to utilize direct suppression tactics. Smoke impacts continue to be light in communities surrounding the Chetco Bar Fire, however smoke impacts may increase depending on fire activity and winds. 
The Xaa-wan’-k’wvt Evacuation Center (former Ship Ashore Resort) in Smith River, CA will be closing September 14th at 1:00 p.m. The Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation has operated this long-established evacuation shelter for displaced residents of the Chetco Bar fire. Many volunteers had been hard at work for over a month, providing free meals and RV and tent camping for local residents who had been evacuated from their homes due to the fire. 
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): There is a TFR over the Chetco Bar Fire. http://tfr.faa.gov/




Fire Size: 185,920 acres
Containment: 12%
Resources:Hand Crews: 48, Helicopters: 15, Engines: 45, Dozers: 21, Water Tenders: 32, Skidders: 2
Total Personnel: 1600
Location: 5 miles east of Brookings, OR
Started: 07/12/2017
Cause: Lightning
Incident Commanders: Beth Lund, GB Team 1

Visit us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/chetcobarfire/

See our InciWeb post:
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5385/ 

Call the Information Line:
West: 619-894-9111
East: 541-597-8525
Air quality information:
https://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/2017/SWOregonFires#Overview 





No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.