9-19-17 High Cascades Complex West and East Fire Daily Update

9-19-17 High Cascades Complex West Fire Daily Update

Fire behavior has been temporarily reduced to smoldering and creeping by the rain that started Sunday night and has continued through Tuesday morning. According to Incident Meteorologist trainee Derek Williams, the Broken Lookout Fire and the community of Union Creek have received .75 inches of rain to date, and about an inch of rain has fallen on the Pup Fire since the rain began Sunday night. Relative humidity of 100% occurred at all locations near the fires on Monday in addition to low, dense cloud cover. A stronger storm pulse is expected tonight, with rainfall totals perhaps doubling, and west winds reaching 30 mph with higher gusts. Snow has fallen at the higher elevations, and accumulations may approach 6-10 inches in the Crater Lake area before melting through the weekend. A warming and drying trend is forecast for Friday through next week as high pressure begins building over the region.

Firefighters are continuing to prepare roads for holding against future fire growth and as a base from which to burn out when appropriate in order to lock in and secure the fire’s edge. Crews have successfully held the spread of the Pup Fire to the southeast and to the north, as the fire has now been stopped at roads that have been cleared and burned out for that purpose. On the Broken Lookout Fire today, activities will include brushing, chipping, repair, and clearing of roads.

Because of the wet conditions, the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and the Umpqua National Forest have reduced various restrictions.

Both National Forests have reduced campfire restrictions. On the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, campfires are now allowed in USFS-constructed fire rings made of concrete or metal and located in designated recreation sites. Also, campers are now able to use propane or liquid-fuel powered commercial stoves.

On the Umpqua National Forest campfires are permitted outside of campgrounds and in the Mt. Thielsen Wilderness. Boulder Creek and Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness areas remain closed to public entry due to fire activity.

The public is reminded that fire season is not over. Campfires must be drowned until cool to the touch.

Effective today, the Umpqua National Forest has dropped logging and other industrial activity restrictions to IFPL1.

Closures: Many road, trail, and area closures are in place for the Rogue Umpqua Divide Wilderness and surrounding lands on both the Umpqua and Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests. Forest visitors should familiarize themselves with these closures before venturing into the area. For a complete list of closures, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/5503/

9-19-17 High Cascades Complex East Fire Daily Update

Summary: All three fires received wetting rains Monday night. Although some heat remains in dead and down surface fuels and litter, rains, cooler temperatures and high humidity greatly assisted firefighting efforts. As fire progression slows, crews will develop plans to rehabilitate hand and dozer lines used in suppression operations. The Incident Command Post was busy today constructing large tents with heaters to provide returning crews a warm place to dry out after a long day on the fire line. Inclement weather impeded aerial observations so no new acreage is available.

Spruce Lake Fire: (15,826 acres and 22% contained) little fire growth is expected but active monitoring will continue. Blanket Creek Fire: (33,322 acres and 28% contained) Crews conducted a minor backfire operation to button up a hot spot near constructed line along the southwest edge. Crews continue to prep between forest road 800 and 600, removing hazard trees to prepare for possible dozer work. Structure protection continued at Mazama Village. North Pelican Fire: (3,589 acres and 73% contained) Heavy equipment and crews continued improving contingency lines on the north and southwest edges. Crews started to evaluate possible suppression repair opportunities. Weather permitting, crews will begin some suppression repair today along the southern boundary.

Weather: A robust rain event is expected the next few days. Total rainfall will range from one to almost two inches. Snow of up to eight inches is anticipated at elevations above 6000 feet. A warming and drying trend begins Thursday as high pressure builds over the Pacific Northwest.

Closures: A number of area road and trail closures are in place within Crater Lake National Park, Rogue River-Siskiyou, Umpqua, and Fremont-Winema National Forests. For specific closure information, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5503. The North Entrance Road to Crater Lake National Park is open. The West Rim Drive is closed until Friday at 4:00 p.m. due to construction. All concession facilities and services remain open for visitors to the Park. Motorists and visitors to the area also need to be aware of delays on Highway 230 between Union Creek and the junction with Highway 138 due to road construction.

A Level 1 Evacuation Notification remains in effect for Mazama Village in Crater Lake National Park. Level 1 is the first step in the “Be Ready, Be Set, Go!” system. For more information about evacuation levels and procedures, go to http://tinyurl.com/BeReady-BeSet-Go.

Quick Facts

Incident Summary

Fire Locations

High Cascades Ranger District, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, Fremont-Winema National Forest-Klamath Ranger District, Crater Lake National Park

Approximate Acreage; 52,737 acres (East Zone Only) Containment; 39% (East Zone Only)

Start Dates: North Pelican – 08.10.2017;  Spruce Lake – 07.29.2017 ; Blanket Creek – 07.26.2017

Cause: Lightning

Incident Commander : Tim Roide, Great Basin Type 2 Incident Management Team #4

Resources on the Fires

3 crews, 5 dozers, 16 engines, 2 helicopters

Total Personnel: 339

Online Links  Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5503  

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/SCOFMPFIREINFO/ ;

Twitter: @SCOFMPFIREINFO
Fire Closures: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5503 ;

Smoke Information: http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/