8/18/2014 Update on Middle Fork Complex

Middle Fork Ranger District Fire Information Update

Deception Creek Complex• Staley Complex• Middle Fork District Initial Attack

Willamette National Forest

August 18, 2014 11:30 AM

The multiple fires burning in the area are being addressed by crews using both direct and indirect firefighting tactics. The indirect tactic is used because of the steep terrain and lack of roads in some areas.

Currently there are 29 fires within the area, many have secured lines, with crews continuing work to cool the interior of each. The crews are working diligently to bring each to the contained and control status.

Tuesday the weather is expected to change bringing unstable conditions. This may test the lines, with winds expected to reach 20-25 mph for four to six hours.

Contained: The fire has a line completely around it, either constructed or natural (lake, rock slide, etc.), and the forward rate of spread is stopped. Any spot fires are in the same condition. Controlled: The fire will not grow (or escape containment) with predicted weather or fire conditions. Unburned islands of fuel on large fires may continue to burn out, but will not be a factor to holding control lines. Out: No smoke has been seen for at least 24 hours. Most of the large fires in heavy timber fuels are not declared "Out" until several storms in the fall of year have passed over for a complete soaking.

Staley Complex

• Staley Fire is at 50%, Davey Fire at 50%, and Pool Creek at 30% containment.
• Resources expected to make progress on Pool Creek Fire today.
• Resources for the Staley Complex picked up another new start yesterday in the Diamond Peak Wilderness.
• Crews are continuing to construct direct fire line where feasible and safe to do so.  Crews are burning out fuel within indirect containment lines when conditions and safety permit.
• 21 total fires in the initial attack portion of the Staley.  This does not include the new start that Staley picked up for the district in the Diamond Peak Wilderness.

Crews	Engines	Tenders	Dozers	Total personnel
10	24	5	3	498

Deception Complex

• The report today on the three remaining lightning strike fires is good news.
• Progress on contingency lines surrounding fires is going smoothly and masticators are able to open approximately ¼ mile to half a mile during each shift.  "Having these contingency lines in place gives us a degree of reassurance should we experience a dramatic change in fire behavior, as well as establishing a potential location for holding fires in the future," states Nate Nozie, Operations Section Chief for the Deception Fire.
• Handline will be used near sensitive sites such as creek beds and any cultural sites that may be found in the area. Fireline personnel describe the terrain as vertical in some places with lots of bluffs, making access near impossible. This indirect attack strategy decreases the level of risk to fire personnel in extremely rugged terrain.
• All other lightning strike fires within the Deception Creek Complex are now in patrol and monitor status and infra-red surveys will begin the process towards full controlled status.
• Although an Emergency Area Closure is in place in the vicinity of these fires, Wren Loop Trail, a popular fitness trail adjacent to the Middle Fork Ranger Station, remains open.  Forest visitors are should avoid roads leading into the fire area as heavy equipment and fire traffic are congesting travel through the area. 
  
  

Crews	Engines	Felling Modules	Dozers	Total personnel
3	6	2	3	253

Middle Fork Ranger District Initial Attack

• Fires west of Waldo Lake were a new focus of staffing yesterday. A crew is working the area and will be camping at Waldo to avoid long travel times. Rapellers were also working fires in this area.
• Saturday there was a fire in the northeast corner of Oakridge.  Oakridge Fire Department was assisted by Middle Fork Ranger District Fire, Oregon Department of Forestry and both the Staley and Deception Fire Teams in a rapid response to suppress the fire.  Fire size was just under 2 acres. The cause is under investigation.
• Crews completed constructing indirect line to "building a box" on a 22 acre fire burning near Spirit Lake are preparing for a burn out operation.
• One new fire for a total of 30 fires with 3 out, 14 contained and in patrol status, 5 staffed and 8 are unable to locate. Fires range in size from a single tree to 22 acres. 
    

Crews	Engines	Tenders	Dozers	Total personnel
5	6	1	2	123

Helicopters

5 shared