9/12/2017 Chetco Bar Update

There will be a community fire briefing in Agness on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Agness Community Building, 3927 Cougar Ln, Agness, OR 97406.

Providing for public and firefighter safety is the top priority for Great Basin Incident Management Team 1. Yesterday brought moderate fire growth and activity as a result of high temperatures, low humidities, and gusty winds. The warm and dry trend affecting the fire area is expected to decline tomorrow, with cooler temperatures in the forecast. Today will be a good day for aviation operations, as the marine layer will be absent and inversion should lift by midmorning.

Firefighters on all sides of the fire have been actively engaged, prioritizing safety and operational effectiveness. Fire activity has been characterized by smoldering, backing, and creeping. Active ground fire was reported in scattered areas from the Pistol River to east of the Winchuck River. Contingency lines will continue to be constructed, while fire activity on the south and west sides will be targeted using helicopters and retardant drops. Fire crews will continue to take advantage of favorable weather in order to contain and hold fireline closest to areas with the highest values at risk.

Smoke has again drained down valley into communities on the north and west sides of the Chetco Bar Fire overnight and heavy smoke impacts are being seen locally this morning. Light northeast winds today will continue to drift moderate smoke into coastal areas such as Brookings and Gold Beach by this afternoon before heavy smoke sinks back in overnight tonight. Inland communities, such as Cave Junction, Medford will continue to see moderate to heavy smoke through the day.

Level 3 evacuation orders for areas outside the fire perimeter were reduced to Level 2 as of Friday at 11 am. Residents are urged to remain prepared to evacuate should the need arise.

Weather: Tuesday is the final day of the warm and dry trend, and will bring temperatures in the low to mid-eighties for the west side of the fire. The marine layer will be absent this morning but should return as humidities rise and temperatures decline throughout the week. The fire area will experience moderate to good nighttime humidity recovery, and relative humidities will be in the 25-30% range today, and 60% at night. Wednesday will bring temperatures in the high 70’s, with 35% humidities that will rise to 75% at night. A sustained NE wind of 5-6 mph is expected Tuesday with gusts up to 12 mph. Wind speed will decrease Wednesday, shifting to NNE at a sustained 5 mph, gusting to 10 mph.

Closures and Evacuations: Level 1 and Level 2 evacuation orders remain for portions of Brookings-Harbor and the Upper Winchuck areas. Level 3 evacuations remain for areas within the fire perimeter. For further information on local forest area closures, see the closure order. 

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): There is a TFR over the Chetco Bar Fire. Click here for more info.