8/17/2014 Staley Complex and Deception Creek Complex Fire Update

The Middle Fork District currently has 29 fires all in various stages of suppression. Fire crews are working to secure firelines. As weather conditions continue to change, the chance of increased fire activity will rise. The public may see smokes ‘pop up’ in the afternoon hours as the sun warms slopes. Many of the fires are burning in steep terrain adding to the complexity of the firefighting efforts. Firefighting resources are shared among the three complexes and are available for initial attack, as yesterday’s small fire in Oakridge, where Oakridge Fire Department, Oregon Department of Forestry and the US Forest Service all worked to suppress a 2 acre fire close to town. 

Deception Creek Complex· Fire personnel made excellent progress yesterday on the Deception Creek Complex Fires. 10 of the 12 fires are contained after fire perimeter lines were widened. · Cup trenches were built on downhill slopes to catch any rolling debris, and all “hot spots” were completely extinguished. · Fires located in the extremely rough terrain of the upper Deception Creek area are the primary focus. Gabe Holguin, Incident Commander, describes the access issue as a major factor in planning strategies. “The objective is to secure these remaining fires while continuing to address the risks presented to firefighters.” · An indirect attack strategy is in place for the three last fires utilizing road and trail systems to develop a containment line. · Two large helicopters, a Sikorsky S-60 and a Kaman K-Max, are being used again today to keep the fires cool while heavy equipment such as dozers and masticators are being used to clear roads. An Emergency Area Closure is in place in the vicinity of these fires, and forest users are being asked to avoid the area, with public safety being a concern due to large equipment on narrow roads. 

Staley Complex· Staley Fire is at 50%, Davey Fire at 40%, and Pool Creek at 5% containment.· Resources expected to make progress containing the Pool Creek Fire today.· Resources picked up 1 new start on Staley Complex· Crews will continue to construct direct line where feasible and safe to do so. Crews will burn out fuel on indirect lines when conditions and safety permit.

Middle Fork Ranger District Initial Attack: Crews are constructing indirect line and “building a box” on a 22 acre fire burning near Spirit Lake, located two miles west of the boundary of the Waldo Lake Wilderness. • Crews continue working to contain new lightning fires in the Falls Creek area.• 27 fires, 11 staffed, 8 secured and in patrol status and 6 reported that could not be located. Fires range in size from a single tree to 22 acres.• Fires on the westside of Waldo Lake became active yesterday. Helicopters are being used to cool activity while wildland firefighters are assisting. • There is a new closure in effect, it is the Jim Weaver Loop trail (also known as the west Waldo Lake trail #3590), this closure will include a number of connecting trails on the west side of Waldo Lake. Later today: for additional information and a map, please see the Willamette National Forest Web page.

Fire Information, call 541-782-5359, or visit: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4041/Email us at middleforkfires@gmail.com; for Closure Information visit the Willamette National Forest webpage at: www.fs.usda.gov/willamette Follow the Middle Fork fires on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WillametteNF