8/10/2018 - Taylor Creek/Klondike Fires Update

Taylor Creek/Klondike Fire Update Friday, August 10, 2018 Community Meeting tonight in Agness. Fire managers and agency representatives will be on hand to give a fire update and answer questions from the community. Come by the Agness Community Library, 3905 Cougar Lane, Agness, OR on Friday, August 10th at 6pm. The OR Department of Forestry, US Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management are working together to advise fire managers. Fire managers hear a single, unified message from Agency Representatives. Very high temperatures, gusts to 20 mph out of the southwest and critical fire weather conditions are expected today. Winds out of the southwest will test fire lines constructed on the north side of both fires. Smoke columns will rise today as the fire becomes active. When the inversion lifts, fire is expected to grow within the perimeter of the fire. The “Firewise” program provides tips to protect your home and property, and is available at www.firewise.org. Increased traffic in the Galice area will present safety concerns for firefighting crews along roads. Some businesses have resumed operation and public recreation will increase over the weekend as smoke moves out. Drivers should expect to see firefighters along the road and drive with caution. Bear Camp and Peavine Roads remain closed to traffic due to firefighter activity. Fire lines have been constructed and maintained and crews are mopping up some areas. Danger is increasing from trees and other debris falling on roads. Recent inversions and calm fire weather has allowed crews to develop, maintain and improve fire lines. Crews continue to hold lines and flag areas of danger, remove snags and hazard trees and will be chipping debris. As mop up efforts are completed, crews will focus more efforts on repair efforts where fire lines have disturbed property. Repair work will continue for several weeks. Planes and helicopters have been grounded for four days due to smoke, but fire managers were able to use aerial ignition. Drones were able to ignite fires to even out and increase depth of fire lines in difficult terrain where fire crew safety would be compromised. Interactive map of current evacuation levels is available at http://bit.ly/joco-evac. Get emergency alerts at www.rvem.org. Quick Facts Fire Location: Taylor - Approx. 10 miles west of Grants Pass, Oregon Klondike - Approx. 9 miles northwest of Selma, Oregon Approximate Acreage: Taylor Creek - 43,388; Klondike - 38,382 Containment: Taylor Creek - 45%; Klondike - 15% Start Date: July 15, 2018 Cause: Lightning Incident Commanders: Chris Shulte Resources on the Fire: Taylor Creek - 42 crews, 45 engines, 23 water tenders, 12 dozers, 8 helicopters Klondike - 5 crews, 8 engines, 7 water tenders, 1 dozers, 0 helicopters Total Personnel: Taylor Creek - 1,000 Klondike - 600 Cooperating Agencies: Oregon Department of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, Rogue Valley Fire Chiefs Associaion, Josephine County Sheriff, Jackson County Sheriff, Josephine County Emergency Management, U.S. Forest Service Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and Umpqua National Forest, United States National Guard and American Red Cross. More Information taylorcreekfire2018@gmail.com 2018.KlondikeFire@firenet.gov (541) 474-5305 https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6058/

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