Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Taylor Creek Fire Rogue River Closure **UPDATE**

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INCIDENT: Taylor Creek Fire Rogue River Closure **UPDATE**
INCIDENT DATE AND TIME: 7/31/18 at 5:30 pm
REPORTING DEPUTY: C. Krauss

DETAILS:
The Rogue River is closed to all recreational use, including boating, rafting
and swimming, between Hog Creek Boat Ramp and the Galice Boat Ramp.
This is due to increased fire behavior and firefighting operations for the
Taylor Creek Fire.

The Hog Creek Boat Ramp is open for taking watercraft out of the river and
the Galice Boat Ramp is open for putting watercraft into the river.
The Robertson Bridge Boat Ramp is closed for firefighting operations.

We would like to thank the community for their understanding and
cooperation with these closures.

*Hog Creek Boat Ramp is now closed due to the recent upgrade to a Level
3 evacuation. The next available to ramp to take watercraft out of the river
is Whitehorse Boat Ramp.

Evacuation Levels reduced from Shan Creek to Robertson Bridge


Fire Evacuation Level Change: Taylor Creek Fire

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Release Date: 7/31/18
INCIDENT: Fire Evacuation Level Change: Taylor Creek Fire
INCIDENT DATE AND TIME: 7/31/18 at 3:15 pm
REPORTING DEPUTY: C. Krauss
DETAILS:

Due to increased fire behavior and planned firefighting operations on the Taylor Creek wildfire, the Josephine County Sheriff's Office is issuing a Level 3 “GO” evacuation notice for the residents on Galice Road between, and including, 3153 and 4849 and residents on Abegg Road above, and including, 3000 Abegg Road.
 Do not delay leaving to gather any belongings or make efforts to protect your home.
 This may be the last notice you receive.
 Josephine County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue will be performing door to door notifications.

A Level 2 “BE SET” evacuation is being issued by the Josephine County Sheriff's Office for the following areas:
 Galice Road between 2396 and 4880
 Hog Creek Road between 200 and 4776
 Rogue Rim Drive between 200 and 585
 Thornridge Lane between 150 and 344
 Thornbrook Drive between 160 and 855
 Abegg Road between 801 and 2747
 All of Lancelot Lane
 All of Ray Drive
 All of Waggle Way

A Level 2 “BE SET” means you must be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. Residents should either voluntarily relocate outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice.

If you have not signed up for Josephine County Citizen Alert, Josephine County’s emergency notification system, you can sign up on line at www.rvem.org.

The Red Cross evacuation shelter remains active at Grants Pass High School, 830 NE 9th St, Grants Pass, OR 97526.

The Fire Information Center can be reached at 541-474-5305 and is staffed from 7:00am to 11:00pm each day.

An animal evacuation center is open at the Josephine County Fairgrounds Floral Building located at 1451 Fairgrounds Road, Grants Pass, OR.

Joint Information Center Fire Update July 31, 2018


Information for Southwest Oregon Fires is available at the Joint Information Center (JIC) at 541-474-5305 7 AM – 11 PM.  Email:  swofireinfo@gmail.com;  blogspot:   swojic.blogspot.com
Fire Summary (as reported on at 9:00 a.m. July 31)
FIRE NAME
ACRES
CONTAINMENT
PERSONNEL
TAYLOR CREEK FIRE
29,551
20%
1,165
GARNER COMPLEX
8,886 (Combined total for all fires)
65%
1,872
SUGAR PINE
6,086 (Combined total for all fires)
N/A
848
KLONDIKE
17,987
5%
384
NATCHEZ
6,174
15%
613
HENDRIX
1,081
70%
261
SOUTH UMPQUA
14,196 (Combined total for all fires)
16%
1,281
TIMBER CRATER 6
3,126
80%
352

WEATHER
Today will have near critical fire weather conditions. Smoke during the past two days moderated fire behavior on several area fires. Lower temperatures are predicted for later in the week, with potential for increased winds. The air mass over the fire area is very gradually cooling, however it will remain drier than normal for this time of year.

SMOKE
Smoke production yesterday was significant but should gradually trend lower the next few days. Strategic burn outs, used by firefighters to help contain the fires, remain wildcards in the smoke production arena. Expect longer periods of Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) and Unhealthy on the Air Quality Index (AQI). Also expect brief periods of Very Unhealthy air, especially today.

Upper level smoke was transported north yesterday. Lower level smoke will remain near the surface in interior valleys. Cleaner air areas at the surface will remain along the Oregon coast north of Gold Beach as well as south of Eureka, California. The Roseburg, Oregon area should experience longer periods of good to moderate AQI levels despite the significant smoke aloft.

EVACUATIONS

More info about evacuation levels and preparedness can be found at http://www.rvem.org.

Josephine County current evacuation information is available at the Josephine County Sheriff’s website at http://www.co.josephine.or.us/News.asp?SectionID=180.

Jackson County current evacuation information is available at the Jackson County Sheriff’s website at http://jacksoncountyor.org/sheriff/News.

Douglas County current evacuation information is available at the Douglas County Sheriff’s website at http://www.dcso.com/#.

Per the Natchez Fire Incident Management Team, the community of Sunstar, California has been placed in a Level 1 evacuation “Ready” status.

Information about fire evacuation levels is also available from the Joint Information Center at 541-474-5305.

CLOSURES

GARNER
BLM Medford District issued a closure for the Elderberry Flat Campground and dispersed campsites along the West Fork Evans Creek Road, including all BLM lands and roads within the closure area marked on the attached map are closed. This includes all BLM lands and roads within the following sections or portions of sections: T. 33S S., R. 03 W. Secs. 07, 08, 17-20, 29-33.

TAYLOR CREEK
The Rogue River-Siskiyou NF Taylor Creek Fire Emergency Area Closure Order 06-10-22-18-62 closes national forest lands near the Taylor Creek Fire for public health and safety. Effective July 19, 2018 through October 31, 2018, unless sooner rescinded. Detailed information and a map of the area closure are available at https://tinyurl.com/RRSiskiyou.

There is a BLM closure order for lands and recreation areas along portions of the Rogue River. The order does not affect river operations, however access to the river is limited in the closed area. Information is available from https:/tinyurl.com/TaylorFireClosure.

The Oregon State Marine Board filed a temporary rule to close boating effective immediately on the Rogue River from Hog Creek to Galice due to the Taylor Creek Fire.

NATCHEZ
The Rogue River-Siskiyou and Klamath National Forests have issued emergency area closures for the Natchez and Klondike Fires. Be sure to check the Forest websites for information about current conditions: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts-notices and https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices.

TIMBER CRATER 6
An emergency closure order has been put in place on the Chemult Ranger District of the Fremont-Winema National Forest bordering Crater Lake National Park. For more information go to: www.fs.usda.gov/fremont-winema.

HENDRIX
The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Hendrix Fire Area Closure for the southern portion of the Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District has been updated but a closure remains in effect. Detailed information and a map of the area closure are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou.
  
SUGAR PINE
An Emergency Road and Area Fire Closure has been issued by the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. All portions of the Forest west of Forest Roads 68 near the northern boundary and all of 6640 are closed. This area is bounded on the south by BLM and private land, to the north and west by the Umpqua National Forest and to the east by open portions of the Rogue River- Siskiyou National Forest.

SOUTH UMPQUA
The Umpqua National Forest has implemented emergency road and trail closures on the Tiller Ranger District because of the South Umpqua Complex. This closure order is a combination of roads and trails which had remained closed from last year’s fire season. With continued fire suppression operations, the closures are essential to allow for public and firefighter safety. In addition, this Forest Order includes previous closures on the Diamond Lake Ranger District and North Umpqua Ranger District to create a current and comprehensive list. More information is available at:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices

PUBLIC MEETINGS
South Umpqua Complex: There will be a community meeting at the Tiller Rural Fire Protection District Station today at 6:30 pm.

Klondike Fire: There will be a community meeting tonight at the Selma Community and Education Center in Selma at 6 pm.

Hendrix Fire: There will be a Hendrix Fire community meeting on Wednesday, August 1 at 7 pm. The meeting will be held at the Ashland Middle School, 100 Walker Avenue, Ashland, Oregon.

The Red Cross has established a shelter at the Grants Pass High School for displaced residents affected by Level 3 (Go!) evacuations. Additionally, an animal evacuation center has been set up at the Josephine County Fairgrounds organized by the Friends of the Shelter and Southern Oregon Emergency Aid.

When you want to help….
In a time of crisis people naturally want to reach out and help.  We appreciate those efforts and have a few suggestions for you to consider.

Most appreciated by firefighters:

Other ideas:
  • ·       Join or support your local fire department or emergency organizations- they appreciate your generosity since they are the first responders in many cases.
  • ·       Donate to local charitable organizations like the Red Cross.
  • ·       Donate to local food banks, which sometimes get forgotten when fires impact a community.
  • ·       Create and maintain a defensible space around your home!  Give emergency responders and yourself a safe area to defend your home in or retreat to, if necessary.


Note: Fire camps cannot accept food items due to health and federal contract regulations.  We feed our assigned fire crews three meals a day plus snacks.

Links to Specific Incidents
Timber Crater 6 -- https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5986/

Rogue River Closure Hog Creek to Galice

July 31, 2018 12:30 pm 
Download file


Taylor Creek Fire Rogue River Closure 

DETAILS:
The Rogue River is closed to all recreational use, including boating, rafting and swimming, between Hog Creek Boat Ramp and the Galice Boat Ramp. This is due to increased fire behavior and firefighting operations for the Taylor Creek Fire.

The Hog Creek Boat Ramp is open for taking watercraft out of the river and the Galice Boat Ramp is open for putting watercraft into the river.

The Robertson Bridge Boat Ramp is closed for firefighting operations.


We would like to thank the community for their understanding and cooperation with these closures.


Monday, July 30, 2018

Taylor Creek Fire Level 1 Evacuations East of Riverbanks Road




Downgrade to Evacuation Level 2 in Upper Limpy Creek

INCIDENT: Fire Evacuation Level Change - Upper Limpy Creek downgrade to Level 2 “Be Set” INCIDENT DATE AND TIME: 7/30/18 at 4:30 pm
REPORTING DEPUTY: C. Krauss

DETAILS:
Due to the progress made on the Taylor Creek wildfire, the Josephine County Sheriff's Office is issuing a downgrade from a Level 3 “GO” status to a Level 2 "BE SET" notice for the residences above 1230 Limpy Creek Road.

As a reminder, a Level 2 “BE SET” evacuation means you must be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.

If you have not signed up for Josephine County Citizen Alert, Josephine County’s emergency notification system, you can sign up on line at www.rvem.org.

The Fire Information Center can be reached at 541-474-5305 and is staffed from 7:00am to 11:00pm each day

Taylor Creek Fire New Road Closure on Galice Road

DOWNLOAD PDF

Fire Evacuation Level Change: Galice Road Area



Joint Information Center Fire Update July 30, 2018




Information for Southwest Oregon Fires is available at the Joint Information Center (JIC) at 541-474-5305 7 AM – 11 PM.  Email:  swofireinfo@gmail.com;  blogspot: swojic.blogspot.com
Fire Summary (as reported on at 9:00 a.m. July 30)
FIRE NAME
ACRES
CONTAINMENT
PERSONNEL
TAYLOR CREEK FIRE
24,965
8%
2,609 (Garner Complex)
GARNER COMPLEX
8,886 (Combined total for all fires)
60%
2609 (Garner Complex)
SUGAR PINE
5,257 (Combined total for all fires)
N/A
848
KLONDIKE
15,915
5%
403
NATCHEZ
5,360
10%
666
HENDRIX
1,081
70%
267
SOUTH UMPQUA
13,168 (Combined total for all fires)
16%
1,299
TIMBER CRATER 6
3,126
75%
656

WEATHER
The hot, dry weather is forecast to continue for the next few days, possibly cresting on Wednesday followed by slightly cooler, more typical seasonal temperatures beginning Thursday. Smoke from across the region is impacting weather conditions seen on the ground by firefighters. Fire behavior will be active to very active, depending on smoke and wind conditions.

SMOKE
Smoke production yesterday was significant but should gradually trend lower the next few days. Strategic burn outs, used by firefighters to help contain the fires, remain wildcards in the smoke production arena. Expect longer periods of Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) and Unhealthy on the Air Quality Index (AQI). Also expect some areas to have brief periods of Very Unhealthy air, especially today.

Lots of upper level smoke was transported north yesterday. Cleaner air areas at the surface will remain along the Oregon coast north of Gold Beach as well as south of Eureka, California. The Roseburg area in Oregon should experience longer periods of good to moderate AQI levels despite the significant smoke aloft.

EVACUATIONS

More info about evacuation levels and preparedness can be found at http://www.rvem.org.

Josephine County current evacuation information is available at the Josephine County Sheriff’s website at http://www.co.josephine.or.us/News.asp?SectionID=180.

Jackson County current evacuation information is available at the Jackson County Sheriff’s website at http://jacksoncountyor.org/sheriff/News.

Douglas County current evacuation information is available at the Douglas County Sheriff’s website at http://www.dcso.com/#.

Per the Natchez Fire Incident Management Team, the community of Sunstar, California has been placed in a Level 1 evacuation “Ready” status.

Information about fire evacuation levels is also available from the Joint Information Center at 541-474-5305.

CLOSURES

GARNER
The Rogue River-Siskiyou NF Taylor Creek Fire Emergency Area Closure Order 06-10-22-18-62 closes national forest lands near the Taylor Creek Fire for public health and safety. Effective July 19, 2018 through October 31, 2018, unless sooner rescinded. Detailed information and a map of the area closure are available at https://tinyurl.com/RRSiskiyou.

BLM Medford District -- The Elderberry Flat Campground and dispersed campsites along the West Fork Evans Creek Road, including all BLM lands and roads within the closure area marked on the attached map are closed. This includes all BLM lands and roads within the following sections or portions of sections: T. 33S S., R. 03 W. Secs. 07, 08, 17-20, 29-33.

The Medford BLM today issued a closure order for lands and recreation areas along portions of the Rogue River. The order does not affect river operations, however access to the river is limited in the closed area. Information is available from https:/tinyurl.com/TaylorFireClosure.

NATCHEZ
The Rogue River-Siskiyou and Klamath National Forests have issued emergency area closures for the Natchez and Klondike Fires. Be sure to check the Forest websites for information about current conditions: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts-notices and https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices.

TIMBER CRATER 6
An emergency closure order has been put in place on the Chemult Ranger District of the Fremont-Winema National Forest bordering Crater Lake National Park. For more information go to: www.fs.usda.gov/fremont-winema

HENDRIX
The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Hendrix Fire Area Closure for the southern portion of the Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District has been updated but a closure remains in effect. Detailed information and a map of the area closure are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou.

The Pacific Crest Trail is now open on the Siskiyou Crest between mile 1695 and mile 1708. However, the Wrangle Campground on the north side of the Crest is still closed. Information is available at https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/closures/oregon/.

SUGAR PINE
An Emergency Road and Area Fire Closure has been issued by the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. All portions of the Forest west of Forest Roads 68 near the northern boundary and all of 6640 are closed. This area is bounded on the south by BLM and private land, to the north and west by the Umpqua National Forest and to the east by open portions of the Rogue River- Siskiyou National Forest.

SOUTH UMPQUA
The Umpqua National Forest has implemented emergency road and trail closures on the Tiller Ranger District because of the South Umpqua Complex. This closure order is a combination of roads and trails which had remained closed from last year’s fire season. With continued fire suppression operations, the closures are essential to allow for public and firefighter safety. In addition, this Forest Order includes previous closures on the Diamond Lake Ranger District and North Umpqua Ranger District to create a current and comprehensive list. More information is available at:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices

PUBLIC MEETINGS
South Umpqua Complex: There will be a community meeting at the Tiller Rural Fire Protection District Station on Tuesday, July 31 at 6:30 pm.

An animal evacuation center has been set up at Josephine County Fairgrounds. It is organized/managed by the following volunteer groups: Friends of the Shelter and Southern 
Oregon Emergency Aid.

When you want to help….

In a time of crisis people naturally want to reach out and help.  We appreciate those efforts and have a few suggestions for you to consider.

Most appreciated by firefighters:

Other ideas:
  • ·       Join or support your local fire department or emergency organizations- they appreciate your generosity since they are the first responders in many cases.
  • ·       Donate to local charitable organizations like the Red Cross.
  • ·       Donate to local food banks, which sometimes get forgotten when fires impact a community.
  • ·       Create and maintain a defensible space around your home!  Give emergency responders and yourself a safe area to defend your home in or retreat to, if necessary.

Note: Fire camps cannot accept food items due to health and federal contract regulations.  We feed our assigned fire crews three meals a day plus snacks.

Links to Specific Incidents
Klondike-- https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5998/
Natchez- https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5948/