Firefighters
Taking Advantage of Favorable Conditions to Make Progress
Acres: Approximately
1,060 acres Cause: Lightning
Percent Containment: 20%
Location: 9 mi SW of Ashland, OR Expected
Containment Date:
07/31/2018
Jurisdiction: Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest & Private Land
Resources: 596 personnel including 4 Hot Shot
Crews, 13 Hand Crews, 5 Helicopters, 22 Engines, 5 Assigned Dozers + additional
Dozers on loan from cooperators, and 10 watertenders, 2 masticators, and 3 skidgens
Firefighters
are taking advantage of favorable conditions to make progress. Smoke and haze from regional fires
continues to shade the fire, helping limit fire activity. Firefighters are have
been making progress going direct, working along the fire's perimeter where
they can do so safely.
Yesterday helicopters efforts were
hampered by poor visibility over the helibase. However, there was clearer visibility
over much of the fire area. One of the Type 2 helicopters was loaned to the
Prospect Fire and was unable to return after its duties due to challenging
smoke conditions at the Prospect Fire's helibase. A thoughtful and informed sharing of resources
continues to be a powerful tool among all of the fire teams operating in
Southern Oregon and beyond. Helicopters will continue to support firefighters
on the ground, including dropping water and conducting reconnaissance flights
as needed and conditions allow.
If
conditions are favorable, crews may continue small strategic firing operations
on the southwest portion of the fire to tie the main fire perimeter along the ridges down to hand lines and
dozer lines in more accessible terrain to help secure the area.
Firefighters
continue going direct, creating fireline along the fire's perimeter on the east
side of the fire.
Firefighters
are mopping up the north and northeast
portions of the fire, extinguishing or removing burning material near firelines
to help secure the area. The 20%
containment is on the northwest portion of the fire.
Drivers
near the intersection of Upper Applegate and Little Applegate should watch for
firefighters and fire vehicles in the area as the fire team sets up a vehicle wash station
there to help prevent weeds caught underneath brush trucks and other apparatus
from being carried from area to area. Efforts like this help prevent the spread
of invasive weeds like the Yellow Star Thistle.
The
forecast for foreseeable future is continued hot temperatures and drying fuels.
The temperatures
at higher elevations and peaks near the fire also continue to rise with an
expected 90 degrees at 4,500 ft by Wednesday. The chance of thunderstorms has
decreased today, however activity to the southeast will be monitored for
possible outflow winds. Fire crews will remain vigilant and are prepared to
initial attack any new fire starts if they occur.
Firefighters are aggressively
suppressing the fire where they can do so safely and effectively to protect and minimize fire effects
to values at risk including residential structures, private property, industrial
timber lands, and natural and cultural resources. Public and firefighter safety
is the number one priority.
The lightning caused Watershed Fire (9
ac), Bull Gap Fire (3.5 ac), and 288 Fire (0.1 ac) remain in patrol status.
The
Hendricks Fire community meeting held at the Ruch Branch Library, 7919
Highway 238, Ruch, OR 97530 was held with an attendance of approximately 22 local
residents.
The video from last night's Hendrix Community Meeting at the Ruch Branch
Library is available online at https://tinyurl.com/yczf47z9 . Additional
community meetings will be held periodically.
Level 2 and Level 3 evacuations remain
in place for residents near Hells Peak, southeast of Ruch. Details are available at http://jacksoncountyor.org/
The Rogue River-Siskiyou National
Forest Hendrix Fire Area Closure for the southern portion of the Siskiyou
Mountains Ranger District remains in effect. Detailed
info and a map of the area closure are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is closed
from where the PCT meets National Forest Road No.40S01 (Observation Gap) to the
Grouse Gap Shelter. Re-route
information is available at https://www.pcta.org/discover-
Smoke conditions are expected to linger
in the area at least through the weekend. Today’s smoke forecast, including information about
where the nearest clear air is located are available at https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/
High smoke levels can
have hazardous impact on health. People with respiratory or heart disease, children, and
the elderly should stay inside and contact their healthcare providers if they
become ill. Visit http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.
Rogue
River-Siskiyou National Forest and Oregon Department of Forestry Fire
Restrictions remain in effect.
Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/y7dq7yaj
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/RRSNF #Hendrixfire
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/
E-Mail: rrsnf.hendrixfire@gmail.com
Phone: 541-632-3567 (8AM to 8PM)
Northwest Area Large
Fire Info & Map: https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/
______________________________
Phone: 541-632-3567 (8am – 8pm)
Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/y7dq7yaj
Twitter: @RRSNF #HendrixFire
Email: rrsnf.hendrixfire@gmail.com
Smoke: http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.
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