High Cascades Complex West Fire Daily Update

Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander: Tim Keith

Special Announcements: General Westside Deer hunting season opens this week-end. The Rogue River-Siskiyou and the Umpqua National Forests encourage Forest visitors to “Know before you go”! Know: the forecasted weather; road, trail and area closure information; and be aware of firefighters working in the vicinity of your hunting activities.

Fire Information Center: (541) 316-8352 Available 8:00 am to 9:00 pm.

Information Websites: Inciweb – https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5503 and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/R6RRSNF and https://facebook.com/UmpquaNationalForest/

Incident Management Team: Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander, Tim Keith, is managing the High Cascades Complex - West Zone. The incident command post (ICP) is located at the Joseph Stewart State Park near Lost Creek Reservoir southwest of Prospect, Oregon. A spike camp is located at Milo Academy in Milo, OR.

Current Fire Information: The High Cascades Complex - West Zone is a compilation of fires started by lightning storms earlier this summer. The West Zone consists of the Pup and the Broken Lookout Fires. Both fires are partially burning in and outside of the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness on the Rogue River-Siskiyou and Umpqua National Forests. Firefighters are making significant progress with suppression and vegetation clean-up. Structures are being unwrapped from protective coverings. Cleanup including pulling flagging, removing signs, and garbage cleanup is occurring across all divisions.

Pup – 8,222 acres, 13% contained. Located northwest and southeast of Hershberger Lookout partially in the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness. Indirect containment line on the north has been completed. Hauling of piled vegetation generated from indirect fire line constructed along forest roads is progressing. Snag removal along these roads for safe travel has been completed. Other firefighters are mopping up hotspots.

Broken Lookout – 19,114 acres, 27% contained. Located directly west of Union Creek on the southern end of the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness where it is burning on both sides of the Wilderness. Firefighters are chipping vegetative debris generated from indirect fire line construction along forest roads and patrolling for hotspots.

Resources: Total personnel assigned to the Complex (both Zones) – 648: 1-type 1 crew, 2-type 2 IA crews, 10-type 2 crews, 6-camp crews, 13-engines, 5-masticators, 3-medium helicopters, 2- light helicopters, 1-dozers, 5-water tenders, and 215 overhead.

Air Operations: A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area restricting aerial public access. Please check the NOTAMs prior to flying. The public is reminded all air operations are grounded any time a drone is sighted within the TFR, delaying fire suppression efforts. Flying within the TFR is prohibited and against the law. The helibase is located at the Prospect Airport and is closed to public use. The airport is planned to reopen on October 15th.

Air Quality: For the most, up to date air quality reported for your area see Air Now http://www.airnow.gov/ or the Oregon Smoke Blog http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com

Weather: Warmer and drier conditions are expected again today under sunny skies with light east/southeast ridgetop winds. The winds will bring higher temperatures, 77 to 82 degrees and decreasing relative humidity, 20 – 50% percent this afternoon. Ridgetop winds will be northeast 6 – 9 mph. Friday through Monday a cold front is expected to pass with wetting rain possible Friday and significant rainfall by Tuesday.

Behavior: Expected fire behavior is very low intensity surface fire in sheltered fuels under dense canopy with minimal ground spread with no perimeter growth. Creeping and smoldering may re-establish in the litter, duff and jackpots (piles) of dead and down fuels. Active fire was observed yesterday in several snags and piles of fuel. All were well interior of the containment lines.

Closures: Multiple area, trail, and Forest road closures are limiting public access into specific areas for public safety. “Know before you go” by visiting https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5503 or your local Forest office.

9-27-17 High Cascades Complex East Fire Daily Update

Special Announcements: Limited phone calls and lack of fire activity eliminated the need for an additional fire information line at Crater Lake National Park. As of 0600 today, CLNP fire information can be obtained by calling the main line at 541.238.7164. Fire information boards will be updated every few days as needed. The incident meteorologist expects weather to reach the high 70’s on Thursday, but temperatures will decrease dramatically as a wet cold front moves in this weekend. There is some potential for aggressive creeping on Thursday, but that will be put to rest as cooler temperatures impede the fire’s ability to grow.

Current Fire Information: Despite the rigors of the job, crews remained committed to the operational task at hand, completing 63% of the total repairs identified on the fires. Emphasis again was on chipping, grading and hand and dozer repair. Milestones reached today included the successful repair of the trailhead on North Pelican, the unwrapping of the Honeymoon Cabin on the Blanket Creek Fire and the near 100% completion of suppression repair on the Spruce Lake Fire. As road crews finish work on North Pelican they will move north to assist crews on the Blanket Creek Fire and begin grading FS Rd. 3228

Air Operations: Air operations had one of their busiest days yesterday logging a total of 6 flight hours and hauling 3200 pounds of cargo and 16 passengers to various drop points on the fires.

Closures: Fire closures remain on public lands within some hunting units. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is closed at several points on the Fremont-Winema National Forest, Sky Lakes Wilderness and Crater Lake National Park due to safety concerns. Check trail, road, and area closures on InciWeb, park and forest websites. West Rim Drive in Crater Lake National Park remains closed for scheduled maintenance and repaving through Friday at 4 p.m.

Weather: Friday afternoon a cold front will move through the fire and result in much cooler temperatures, high relative humidity and gusty west winds on the ridge tops. The cooler unsettled weather will last well into next week and will result in widespread wetting rain.

Traffic: Expect possible delays on Highway 230 between Union Creek and the junction with Highway 138 due to road construction. In Crater Lake National Park, heavy construction traffic may bring delays near North Junction.

Quick Facts of the Incident Summary

Fire Locations: Rogue River-Siskiyou NF-High Cascades Ranger District, Fremont-Winema NF-Klamath Ranger District, Crater Lake National Park

Approximate Acreage:  52,737 acres (East Zone only)

Containment:  40% (East Zone only)

Suppression Repair: 63% (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: 4 handcrews, 4 engines, 2 helicopters

Total Personnel: 223

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/

09-27-17 Chetco Bar Fire Update

Today Along the perimeter and interior of the Chetco Bar Fire, firefighters are continuing to patrol, monitor, and mop-up hotspots and extinguishing remaining heat. Warmer and drier weather today and tomorrow will aid suppression efforts by increasing visibility of hotspots, helping crews to locate and extinguish these smokes. Crews will continue to repair hand and dozer lines, inserting waterbars to minimize erosion potential.

In a reconnaissance flight yesterday, the Indigo Fire showed no heat and areas of repair work continue along the indirect lines.

Firefighters, equipment, and support personnel continue to be released as incident objectives are achieved.

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 Expect sunny skies with temperatures of 75-85 degrees, similar conditions Thursday, with a cold front approaching by Friday. Minimal fire activity will include a few visible smokes and isolated and creeping hotspots. The continued warm weather will support firefighting efforts by making areas of heat easier to identify and extinguish.

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.

Community Meeting There will be a public meeting, hosted by the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Service, including a fire history and update, at the Brookings Harbor High School (525 Pioneer Road, Brookings, OR) on Thursday, September 28, at 6:00 p.m.

DAILY JOINT INFORMATION CENTER (JIC) SUMMARY
September 26, 2017
swofireinfo@gmail.com (541-608-1243)
http://swojic.blogspot.com

Overview: Temperatures continue to slowly rise, but fire behavior analysts do not anticipate significant fire activity to return. Increased smokes from logs and stump holes will likely occur, which are most often well within the fires interior. Crews continue to mop up hot spots on some fire flanks deep into the burned areas. Work also continues with suppression line rehabilitation and equipment back hauling. The public is asked to comply with Forest closure areas to ensure their and firefighter safety.

Low intensity flame on Miller Fire; Heavy equipment repairing suppression fireline by covering bare soil with vegetation

Fires at a Glance

09-26-17 Chetco Bar Fire Update

Community Meeting: There will be a public meeting, including a fire overview and update, at the Winchuck Volunteer Fire Station (363 Winchuck River Road, Brookings, OR) today at 6:00 p.m.

Today Infrared mapping has confirmed fire fighters’ observations on the Chetco Bar and Indigo fires. Pockets of heat remain, displayed as isolated smokes within the fire interior and in difficult to access areas in the Meadow Creek, East Fork Pistol River, Emily Creek, and Illinois River drainages. Firefighters are mopping up and patrolling these areas.

Firefighters continue to recover unneeded equipment and repair fire lines that are no longer required. Inserting waterbars along hand line and dozer line minimizes erosion potential. Crews place earthen berms, boulders, logs, slash and other vegetative material to obscure previously disturbed areas. In other instances, berms are removed to allow for waterflow and settling of topsoil for vegetative recovery.

Firefighters and support functions continue to be released as incident objectives are achieved.

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 Expect partly cloudy skies until noon, then sunny with temperatures of 75-85 degrees, and similar conditions Wednesday. Minimal fire activity will include a few smokes, smoldering and creeping. The continued warm weather will support firefighting efforts by making areas of heat easier to identify and extinguish.

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.

9-26-17 High Cascades Complex East Fire Daily Update

Summary: Crews continued chipping away on repair efforts; increasing repair completion to 43 percent. Aerial operations assisted firefighters by shuttling crews and supplies into difficult to reach areas. While a warm and dry weather trend continued, high clouds prevented major temperature increases. Lingering snow remained a hurdle to repair operations but continued to slow remaining fire activity. Fire perimeters have little potential for movement. Grading operations are progressing smoothly as heavy equipment operator continue to overhaul roads impacted by operations.

North Pelican (27% repair complete): Crews cleaned the trailhead at the end of Cold Springs Road leading into the wilderness. Chipping is expected to continue on the North Pelican for the next several days to remove excess slash along the roads. In addition to hand work, three excavators will repair access roads surrounding the fire.

Blanket Creek Fire (45% repair complete): Firefighters finished much of the rehab work on the southeastern edge of the fire perimeter. Heavy equipment operators will continue scouting the dozer lines closer to Mazama Village to develop a timeline for repairs. The protective material surrounding the Honeymoon Cabin is expected to be removed today.

Spruce Lake Fire (62% repair complete): Air operations provided major assistance to crews on the Spruce Lake Fire by transporting 4,350 pounds of cargo to the Hotshot Crew repairing handline. A crew working in the backcountry is expected to reach the West Rim Road tomorrow.

Closures: Fire closures remain on public lands within some hunting units. Check trail, road, and area closures on InciWeb, park and forest websites. West Rim Drive in Crater Lake National Park remains closed for scheduled maintenance and repaving through Friday at 4 p.m.

Weather: The warming and drying trend should continue through Thursday when highs will reach the mid-70s and daytime relative humidity will drop to 30% or less. Long-range forecasts suggest a renewed wetter pattern by early next week.

Traffic: Expect possible delays on Highway 230 between Union Creek and the junction with Highway 138 due to road construction. In Crater Lake National Park, heavy construction traffic may bring delays near North Junction.

9-26-17 High Cascades Complex West Fire Daily Update

Fire Information Center: (541) 316-8352 Available 8:00 am to 9:00 pm.

The incident command post (ICP) is located at the Joseph Stewart State Park near Lost Creek Reservoir southwest of Prospect, Oregon.

Information Websites: Inciweb – https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5503 and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/R6RRSNF and https://facebook.com/UmpquaNationalForest/

Current Fire Information: The High Cascades Complex - West Zone is a compilation of fires started by lightning storms earlier this summer.  The West Zone consists of the Pup and the Broken Lookout Fires.  Both fires are partially burning within and outside of the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness on the Rogue River-Siskiyou and Umpqua National Forests. Suppression and repair work is underway in most divisions.

Pup – 8,222 acres, 12% contained.  Located partially in the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness, northwest and southeast of Hershberger Lookout.  Several areas of heat were located along the north and south flanks yesterday. Crews are mopping up these hotspots along the fire’s edge.  All heat was well within the established containment lines.  Other firefighters are chipping debris generated by prepping forest roads for use as containment line.

Broken Lookout – 18,911 acres, 24% contained. Located directly west of Union Creek on the southern end of the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness where it is burning on both sides of the Wilderness. Multiple smokes became visible yesterday as the temperatures increased and several areas of heat were located along the south flank of the fire. Crews are extinguishing these areas directly along the fire’s edge.  Firefighters are chipping the debris generated from indirect fire line construction along forest roads used as containment lines.

Resources:  Total personnel assigned to the Complex (both Zones) – 726: 2-type 1 crews,  2-type 2 IA crews, 13-type 2 crews, 7-camp crew, 16-engines, 5-masticators, 3-medium helicopters, 2- light helicopters, 2-dozers, 5-water tenders, and 217 overhead.

Air Operations:  A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area restricting aerial public access.  Please check the NOTAMs prior to flying. The public is reminded all air operations are grounded any time a drone is sighted within the TFR, delaying fire suppression efforts. Flying within the TFR is prohibited and against the law. The helibase is located at the Prospect Airport and is closed to public use. The airport is planned to reopen on October 15^th.

Air Quality: For the most, up to date air quality reported for your area see Air Now http://www.airnow.gov/ or the Oregon Smoke Blog http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com

Weather:  Warmer and drier conditions are expected today under sunny skies with light northeast ridgetop winds. The winds will bring higher temperatures and decreasing relative humidity this afternoon. Temperatures are forecasted for 73- 77 degrees with relative humidity 35 – 50% percent range.  Ridgetop winds will be northeast 6 – 9 mph.

Behavior:  Expected fire behavior is for very low intensity surface fire in sheltered fuels under dense canopy with minimal ground spread. No perimeter growth with these conditions. Creeping and smoldering may re-establish in the litter, duff and jackpots of dead and down fuels.

Closures:  Multiple area, trail, and Forest road closures are limiting public access into specific areas for public safety.  “Know before you go” by visiting https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5503 or your local Forest office.

September 26, 2017 – 9:00 a.m.

Miller Complex Fire Update

                                                                       

Acres: 36,496  

Percent Contained: 75%  

Start Date: August 14, 2017      

Cause: Lightning

Total Personnel:  189

Location: Private land and federal land on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest 20 miles west of Ashland, OR.

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

Containment on the Miller Complex has increased to 75%. During a reconnaissance flight yesterday the Incident Commander observed ground fire moving at a low intensity near Elliot and Dutch Creak. Warmer and drier weather in conjunction with overnight winds are lowering overall humidity levels. Fire behavior and smoke production are increasing with the changing weather as anticipated. Crews are reinforcing and patrolling primary, alternate and contingency lines along this more active flank of the Abney Fire.

Yesterday two medical scenarios were carried out on the Abney Fire. Crews had the opportunity to simulate a fire line medical response, which included gathering information on the injured individual, providing dispatch with the necessary information and securing the patient on a backboard before carrying them out. Medics assigned to the incident gave a presentation on the latest medical equipment relevant to wildland firefighters. The medical scenarios tested communication procedures and refreshed the participants on proper patient care and extraction techniques.  

Operational objectives remain the same on the Miller Complex with a focus on repair work. Firefighters will also monitor and patrol of fire activity. Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Officials and resource advisors are pleased with the repair work completed on the fires so far. 

Closures:

The Miller Complex area closure has been reduced. Forest and fire managers ask that the public respect the area closure still in effect for the sake of public and firefighter safety. The public is cautioned to remain alert and drive with care when near fire areas as crews will still be working in these zones. For a more precise, technical definition of these closures, please see Forest Order Number 06-10-22-17-37, or visit the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest closure page at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/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/

ODFW Web Information about hunting and closures- https://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/fire.asp

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

DAILY JOINT INFORMATION CENTER (JIC) SUMMARY

September 25, 2017

swofireinfo@gmail.com 

http://swojic.blogspot.com

541-608-1243

Overview: Temperatures are forecasted to continue rising through the week, but fire behavior analysts do not anticipate significant fire activity to return. Increased smokes though from logs and stump holes will likely occur, which are most often well within the fires interior. Crews continue to mop up hot spots on some fire flanks deep into the burned areas. Work also continues with suppression line rehabilitation and equipment back hauling. The public is asked to comply with Forest closure areas to ensure their and firefighter safety.

Miles of fire hose retrieved from the High Cascade Complex being cleaned and rolled; low severity ground fire burn on the High Cascade Complex

Fires at a Glance

9-25-17 High Cascades Complex West Fire Daily Update

Current Fire Information: The High Cascades Complex - West Zone is a compilation of fires started by lightning storms earlier this summer. The West Zone consists of the Pup and the Broken Lookout Fires. Both fires are partially burning in and outside of the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness on the Rogue River-Siskiyou (RRSNF) and Umpqua National Forests (UPNF).

Pup – 8,222 acres, 12% contained. Located northwest and southeast of Hershberger Lookout partially in the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness. Firefighters are chipping debris generated by prepping forest roads for use as containment line and mopping up any hotspots.

Broken Lookout – 18,911 acres, 24% contained. Located directly west of Union Creek on the southern end of the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness where it is burning on both sides of the Wilderness. Firefighters continue prepping forest roads for use as containment lines, chipping the debris generated and mopping up hotspots to secure containment lines.

Resources: Total personnel assigned to the Complex (both west and east) – 853: 2-type 1 crews, 2-type 2 IA crews, 17-type 2 crews, 6-camp crew, 21-engines, 5-masticators, 3-medium helicopters, 2- light helicopters, 2-dozers, 8-water tenders, and 192 overhead.

Air Operations: A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area restricting aerial public access. Please check the NOTAMs prior to flying. The public is reminded all air operations are grounded any time a drone is sighted within the TFR, delaying fire suppression efforts. Flying within the TFR is prohibited and against the law.

Weather: A weak disturbance will move through the region today. This will increase the mid to upper level cloud cover, possibly lowering temperatures over the fire areas. Tomorrow a warming and drying trend is expected throughout the week. Temperatures will increase to 70-80 degrees with relative humidity dropping to the 25-35 percent range.

Behavior: Minimal ground spread of fire is expected today with no perimeter growth. Creeping and smoldering may re-establish in the litter, duff and jackpots of dead and down fuels.

Closures: Multiple area, trail, and Forest road closures are limiting public access into specific areas for public safety on the RRSNF and UPNF. “Know before you go” by visiting https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5503 or your local Forest office.

9-25-17 High Cascades Complex East Fire Daily Update

Summary: Fire officials report the High Cascades Complex East Zone at 40% contained. Improving weather conditions and lack of fire growth is allowing firefighters to focus their efforts on suppression repair. Excavators and other heavy equipment will be shifted between fires to reflect operational needs over the next several days. Please be cognizant of heavy equipment traveling the roads in fire areas. As of Monday morning, approximately 32% of the total suppression repair work is complete.

Excavators assisted crews on the North Pelican Fire (repair work 17% complete) repair bulldozer line. Handcrews completed culvert repairs on NF Road 350 and grading occurred on NF Road 3519. 

On the Blanket Creek Fire (repair work is 21% complete), chipping continued on the east flank of the burned area. Crews scouted and began repairing handline in backcountry areas of Crater Lake National Park. Crews on the Spruce Lake Fire (repair work is 52% complete) completed rehab from the forest-park boundary to the Pacific Crest Trail. Crews are making good progress at Spruce Lake, but are encountering snow as they move into higher elevations in the wilderness and national park.

Closures: Weather conditions and anticipated fire behavior allowed the Fremont-Winema National Forest to modify its fire closure areas on both the Blanket Creek and North Pelican Fires. These alterations may impact backcountry recreationalists, hunters, and OHV users. Know before you go! Check trail, road, and area closures and conditions on InciWeb, park and forest websites. West Rim Drive in Crater Lake National Park remains closed for scheduled maintenance and repaving through Friday afternoon at 4 pm.

Hunting: The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife does not close hunting seasons due to fire danger. However, fire closures still remain on public lands within some hunting units. Hunters are urged to check closures before heading out.

Weather: A weak disturbance is expected to move through the region on Monday. High level clouds may reduce temperatures a few degrees, but a warming and drying trend is expected through Thursday.

The Rim Visitor Center, Annie Creek Restaurant and Gift Shop, and the Mazama Campground cabins are closed for the season. Expect possible delays on Highway 230 between Union Creek and the junction with Highway 138 due to road construction.

09-25-17 Chetco Bar Fire Update

With significant progress made on both the Chetco Bar and Indigo fires, personnel and equipment are being gradually released as the incident continues to be “right-sized” for current and expected fire activity and weather conditions.

Today Firefighters continue to secure and mop up areas where pockets of heat remain while also backhauling equipment and repairing areas impacted by months of firefighting efforts.

 Isolated smokes persist within the fire interior and in difficult to access areas in the Meadow Creek, East Fork Pistol River, Emily Creek, and Illinois River drainages. Firefighters continue to work areas where – under certain conditions – the fire could potentially flare up and threaten containment, however, some areas may continue to smolder until the fire receives significant, season-ending rain. 

Safety Hazard trees present a high risk to firefighters working within the fire perimeter and are a consideration when forest managers determine the necessity of forest closures. Drivers are encouraged to anticipate fire traffic on area roadways.

Closures:  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 fire activity, equipment, and hazardous trees. For public and firefighter safety, please mind road guards and adhere to all posted signs. For further information, please call (541) 618-2200

or visit www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts-notices.  No evacuation orders are in effect for Curry or Josephine Counties.

Weather and Fire Behavior: A warming and drying trend is expected through mid-week, with hotter and drier weather peaking on Thursday. Some moderate activity from smoldering stump holes, snags and heavy fuels is expected. However, the continued warm weather will support suppression repair and recovery operations by making areas of heat easier to identify and extinguish.

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.

Community Meeting: There will be a public meeting, including a fireoverview and update, at the Winchuck Fire Station (363 Winchuck River Road, Brookings, OR) on Tuesday, September 26, at 6:00 p.m. 

Miller Complex Fire Update

September 25, 2017 – 9:00 a.m.

Acres: 36,496
Percent Contained: 70%
Start Date: August 14, 2017
Cause: Lightning
Total Personnel: 167

Location: Private land and federal land on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest 20 miles southwest of Medford, OR.
Fire Information: 541-838-0770, Email address: millercomplex2017@gmail.com

Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Officials have reduced the Miller Complex Area Closure
The reduced area closure takes effect today, September 25, 2017. Due to the repair progress completed on both the Burnt Peak and Creedence fires, officials feel comfortable allowing recreationists and hunters back into the area. The Abney Fire area will remain closed for the time being as a safety precaution. For a more precise, technical definition of these closures, please see Forest Order Number 06-10-22-17-37, or visit the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest closure page at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts-notices.

Forest and fire managers ask that the public respect the area closure still in effect for the sake of public and firefighter safety. People driving or walking inside fire perimeters is a safety concern. When driving near fire areas, the public is cautioned to remain alert and drive with care as crews are likely to still be working in the area. With hunting season underway, it is particularly important that participants are informed on local area closures, fire restrictions, camping regulations and hazards found in recently-burned areas. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has a comprehensive list of informative links for hunters that can be found at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/fire.asp.

Fire personnel are planting seeds in areas disturbed by fire suppression tactics primarily where dozers were used. Planting seeds will promote regeneration in these impacted areas. Repair operations including water bar construction, chipping of woody debris, road improvement and backhauling of equipment have all been successful across the complex thus far, and will continue today.

The Elliot and Dutch Creak areas of the Abney Fire are the most active zone on the Miller Complex. Fire behavior is low, moving slowly across the forest floor consuming needle cast, leaf litter, and small scale twigs and brush. Visible smoke can be expected until a season ending event, such as snow. Weather is forecasted to become warmer and dryer as the week progresses. Firefighters have been collecting fuel samples from the field and testing moisture levels. Monitoring moisture levels in forest materials will allow fire managers to better estimate upcoming fire behavior, and plan accordingly.

Closures:
The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has a closure area in place https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/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/

Miller Complex Road Closure update Map

INFORMATION CENTER (JIC) SUMMARY September 24, 2017

DAILY JOINT INFORMATION CENTER (JIC) SUMMARY

September 24, 2017

swofireinfo@gmail.com 

http://swojic.blogspot.com

541-608-1243

Overview: Warming temperatures have increased smokes that are generally well within the firelines interior. Crews continue to mop up hot spots several hundred feet into the burned areas in a process called “gridding”. Work also continues with suppression line rehabilitation and equipment back hauling.

Heavy equipment rehabilitating fire line on Chetco Bar; Indigo Fire near Chetco Bar showing no smokes on September 22

Fires at a Glance

Miller Complex Fire Update

September 24, 2017 – 9:00 a.m.

                                                                       

Acres: 36,496  

Percent Contained: 70%   

Start Date: August 14, 2017      

Cause: Lightning

Total Personnel:  171

Location: Private land and federal land on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest 20 miles southwest of Medford, OR.

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

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and Type 3 IMT maintain public and firefighter safety as their top priority on the Miller Complex. Repair work continues and active fire is being monitored. Steep slopes, rugged terrain and heavy fuel loading all pose challenges for firefighters. All of these hazardous factors are taken into account as fire managers assess risks involved with operational tactics.

As a warming and drying trend moves into the region, increased fire activity and visible smoke can be expected. Today will be sunny with temperatures around 70-75. Easterly winds overnight will cause humidity to drop. As humidity drops, fuels on the ground will become dryer leading to increased fire behavior.

In preparation for the upcoming weather shift, daily operations on the Abney Fire will focus on thinning and brushing work along Forest Road 1050 and the accompanying spur roads 140 and 160. Fuels reduction along these roads will further improve the containment lines in place to protect private property along the fire’s eastern flank. Fire activity is being monitored with aircraft and ground personnel.

Today on the Creedence Fire, crews will continue chipping woody debris, constructing water bars, covering of hand and dozer line, backhauling of equipment that is no longer needed and assessment of additional repair needs. Resource advisors have approved the repair work completed on the Burnt Peak Fire. Crews will patrol both incidents to ensure fire remains within containment lines. The Knox Fire is being monitored by air and has shown minimal fire activity.

Closures:

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has a closure area in place https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/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. Forest officials are discussing a reduced closure area.

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/