9/12/2017 Umpqua North Complex Update

Smoke made a return to the Umpqua North Fire on Monday as the fire area continues to dry out after the rain that fell last week.  The most active areas were closely monitored by fire personnel as they continue line construction and mop up.  Fire spread in the Boulder Creek drainage was kept in check with aerial resources.  On the Devil fire, crews constructed fire line, put down hose lays, and mopped up the perimeter.  Suppression repair and contingency line improvement continues on the west side of the Happy Dog Fire.

Staffing was increased on Monday night’s shift with the expectation of increased fire activity.  There were areas of active fire on the Devil Fire, Brokentooth Fire and along the Highway138 corridor E.  Crews worked through the night to maintain containment lines.  Firefighters reported that the active fire cleaned up some areas that were partially burned and stayed within the fire perimeters.   

Today, firefighters will continue efforts to strengthen containment lines as well as conduct suppression repair.  Direct suppression and mop up will occur on the Boulder Creek area, the Devil Fire, and along Highway 138 East.  The Fall Creek Fire remains in patrol status.  Crews will be chipping along contingency lines in the west, which helps strengthen the line and repair damage at the same time.  Fire activity could increase in the afternoon due to low fuel moistures and warmer temperatures.

Some rain was noted this morning on the Devil Fire.  There is a slight chance of more showers and thundershowers in the southeast area of the complex, which could result in unpredictable wind patterns.  Today, high temperatures are expected to be between 85 and 90 degrees, with minimum relative humidity values in the 20 to 30 percent range.  Cooler but dry conditions are expected Wednesday through Friday. 

Information on smoke in your area can be found on the Oregon smoke blog at http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/.  Regular fire updates can also be found on the Umpqua National Forest Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UmpquaNationalForest/  and at Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5505/#

Evacuations:

The areas of Dry Creek, Illahee, and Slide Creek along Highway 138 East, Mile Markers 53 to 56, and the Clearwater area, Mile Markers 56 to 61, are in Level 1 Evacuation Notice “Be Ready.”

Road Closures:

Vehicles continue to be piloted through the wildfire zone on Highway 138 East, between Mile Markers 47-53. Be aware that conditions could change at any time and the highway may be closed due to safety concerns.  Multiple trees have fallen across the highway in the past few days, but no injuries have resulted. 

The Umpqua National Forest remains closed in areas of the North Umpqua and Diamond Lake Ranger Districts. The North Umpqua River remains closed to boaters and anglers from Soda Springs Dam to the Susan Creek Campground. The north shore of the North Umpqua River from FR 4714 (Panther Creek Road) to Susan Creek is open to anglers only. For more information on forest closures see Public Notices at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/Umpqua/alerts-notices.