7/19/2018 Multi-Agency Coordination Group created to address firefighting strategies across SW Oregon

Local leaders of federal and state land management agencies are making plans for a multi-agency coordination group that will provide a mechanism for prioritizing incidents, sharing resources and putting fires out more efficiently. 

“Although we’ve been aggressively suppressing the multitude of fires in our individual jurisdictions, local leaders believe that we can be more efficient in keeping our communities safe by working more strategically together,” said Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Supervisor Merv George, Jr.  Agencies included in this strategic approach include the Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, and may include others as other fires develop.

In association with this approach, a coordinated interagency information center will be stood up in order to provide better information services to the public. We ask for the public’s patience as the agencies continue to provide information on a multitude of fires while transitioning to a unified and more fully staffed information center. The information center will be located at the Grants Pass Interagency Office and is expected to be operational on Monday, July 23.

Currently on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, three Incident Management Teams (IMTs) are managing the Hendrix Fire, the Natchez Fire and the Sugar Pine Fire. NW Team 13 (Gales) was in briefed yesterday afternoon and assumed command of the Sugar Pine Fire at 6:00 a.m. this morning.

The National Weather Service is reporting the possibility of more lightning this weekend. The Forest Service has responded to over 50 fires since July 15 and the majority of them are in some form of mop up or patrol.

Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District (Ashland/Applegate)

The Hendrix Fire remains at approximately 550 acres in size and is located approximately 8 miles southwest of Ashland. There was less activity on the fire yesterday due to smoke that shaded the fire throughout the day. The north and west flanks of the fire continue to hold. Today, firefighters focused on limiting growth on the spots on the southeast portion of the fire. Yesterday’s public meeting was well received by 65 local residents who attended.  Due to proximity with the Klamath National Forest, the RRSNF and Team 12 (Harrod) are coordinating efforts.

Yesterday, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office issued an evacuation notice due to the fire’s vicinity to Hell’s Peak, southeast of Ruch.  Details are available at http://jacksoncountyor.org/sheriff/. More information about evacuation levels and preparedness can be found at http://www.rvem.org

The Hendrix Fire currently has 3 hotshot crews, 5 hand crews, 9 engines, 2 dozers, 5 helicopters and 5 engines for initial attack assigned to the fire.  Firefighters are aggressively suppressing the fire where they can do so safely and effectively to protect values at risk, including industrial timber lands, residential structures and private property.

Closures: The Sevenmile Ridge Trail is currently closed.

Evacuations: Evacuation levels are in place for nearby community of Dog Fork & rural residents.

Safety Message: Expect an increase in firefighter traffic on Applegate and Little Applegate roads throughout the day. Increased dust will limit visibility on dirt roads.  Please be patient with our firefighters while they make their way to the different fires.

Additional information for the Hendrix Fire:

Twitter: @RRSNF#Hendrixfire

Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/y7dq7yaj     

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5939/

Email: rrsnf.hendrixfire@gmail.com

Smoke information: http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com

Information phone line/hours: 541-632-3567/ 8 AM to 8 PM

On the Watershed Fire, there was a small quarter-acre slop over that occurred today but was quickly and effectively mitigated by crews in the air. Firefighters continue working to minimize additional fire spread and secure lines to help minimize watershed impacts. The expected containment date for the watershed fire is July 21.

The Bull Gap Fire has not grown and is experiencing continued successful fire line and interior cleanup. Firefighters are continuing to focus on efforts that will minimize additional fire spread, secure lines and help minimize watershed impacts.

Wild Rivers Ranger District (Grants Pass/Cave Junction/Selma)

The Natchez Fire is estimated to have grown to 750 acres in size, and it has spotted over a ridgeline onto the Klamath National Forest in Del Norte County and 239 personnel are assigned. A public meeting is scheduled in Happy Camp at the Grange Hall at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 20. Due to increased fire activity, a night shift started last night.  Base camp is setting up at Lake Selma.

Two fires are located in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness, the Klondike Fire is now 586 acres and the Granite Fire is 113 acres. Smokejumpers had to disengage from the fire yesterday, but a plan is being developed to re-engage and actively suppress the fires.

Closures: Pending area closure for public safety.

Additional information for the Natchez Fire:

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5948/

Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/y9hzggmh

The Taylor Creek Fire, 135 acres in size, started on BLM lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry and has spread onto Rogue River-Siskiyou National forest lands.  Around 200 firefighters are assigned to suppression activities. A closure is pending in the area immediately around the fire area.

High Cascades Ranger District (Prospect/Butte Falls)

The Sugar Pine Fire consists of multiple fires being managed by NW Incident Management Team #3 (Gales). The geographic responsibility area for the Sugar Pine Fire start at the SW corner of Crater Lake National Park toward the N and along the W edge of CLNP; SW on Hwy 62; NW on Abbott Creek Road; W, S, and E along RRS-UNF boundary to the town of Prospect; E along Red Blanket Creek to SW corner of CNLP.

West of Hwy 62:

The Sugar Pine Fire is estimated to be 125 acres currently with little fire growth; the Elk Horn Fire is 15 acres; the Round Top fire is 100 acres with several spot fires across the 600 Road; Sunshine Fire is 1 acre; Goodview is 5-10 acres in heavy timber; Buck Basin is two acres/contained; Gravel Fire is 10 acres, is lined and mopped up and there is a new start north of Round Top.

East of Hwy 62:

The Union Fire is approximately 60 acres with a line along the east flank, it is 20% contained and fire activity is moderate. The Alder Fire is 7 acres in size, and is lined and mopped up; the Soldier Fire is contained at ½ acre and the Coplen Fire is contained at one acre.

None of these fires are currently threatening the Highway 62 corridor.

Resources assigned include 11 crews, 39 engines and 2 water tenders. 

Today’s actions are to identify and access fire perimeters in order to determine containment opportunities and minimize fire growth.  As inversions lift, more fires are likely to become apparent and will receive initial attack assessment and response.  

Closures: No road closures at this time, however a closure of the Huckleberry Mountain camping area is being considered.

Safety Message: Warning signs will be posted at the access road to Fire Camp, just south of the Hwy 62 Bridge at Joseph Stewart State Park.  The public is encouraged to slow down and be aware of slow moving fire traffic in the area.