9/02/2014 Deception Complex Fire Update

-A community meeting to provide a fire update is scheduled at Greenwaters Park in Oakridge at 7:00 p.m. tonight.

-Local communities and surrounding areas can expect to see an increase in smoke as the firefighters respond to more active fire behavior by implementing planned burnout operations. This strategy will strengthen containment lines for the Deception Fire while keeping firefighter and public safety a top priority, and reduce the likelihood of a more devastating stand-replacement fire.

-Information from smoke monitors in the Oakridge area is incorporated in the daily Deception Complex smoke forecast which is posted on the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency website at http://www.lrapa.org or http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/.

-Motorists traveling Highway 58 are advised to proceed with caution near the community of Oakridge as students and teachers return to school today amidst continuing heavy fire-related traffic.

-Deception Creek Mobile Home Park, Middle Fork Ranger Station and houses along La Duke Road remain under a Level 1 evacuation notice.

-Trail 3607 Larison Rock Trail is now open to the public.

Deception Complex Smoke Monitoring Discussion
On August 26th, the fire burned 800 acres. Starting on August 27th and continuing through August 30th, particulate matter as measured by the smoke monitor stationed in Oakridge spiked in the morning between 10 am and 1 pm every day. As fire activity increases due to burnout and drying conditions, we can expect a similar pattern of smoke intrusions into the Oakridge and Westfir communities, to the northwest down the HWY 58 corridor, and possibly deeper into the Willamette Valley.

For Tuesday and Wednesday, however, winds from the north should push the majority of smoke to the south, away from Oakridge/Westfir area.

Deception Complex Operations Summary:
Incident Commander Ross Holloway stated at this morning’s firefighter briefing, “Today we’re on the cusp of a big change in fire activity and behavior.” A dry cold front is anticipated this afternoon, possibly bringing winds of up to 20 mph, but also continuing the cooler temperatures for two more days. By Thursday, a warming and drying trend will begin, including dry easterly flow.

Today and tomorrow, crews will be preparing for Thursday’s anticipated increase in fire behavior by taking advantage of the cooler weather to begin burning out some of the fuel near the edges of the fire as weather and fuel conditions are favorable. Burnout operations will also be contingent on fire activity.

On the northwest and west side of the fire today, burnouts may occur along the 549 road. A test burn along the eastern edge of the fire below the 5850 road may also be ignited. Lines are being bolstered on the N/NE flank as crews continue to mop up the direct hand line and dozer line on the eastern side of the ridge-top above La Duke Road. Engines and heavy equipment will work along Forest Roads 5847 and 5850 to improve the fire break and further establish a contingency line.

On the Staley Fire, firefighters are finishing rehabilitation, monitoring fire activity, and continuing to operate the sprinkler system as the fire backs toward the line.

On the Pool Fire, the fire is being patrolled aerially, and responsibility for the fire will soon be returned to the Middle Fork Ranger District.

On the Davey Fire, crews are preparing the fire for return to the Middle Fork District for patrolling.
Air Operations Summary

Currently, five heavy helicopters, a medium heli-torch helicopter, three light helicopters and an air attack platform are assigned to the Deception Complex.
- A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the Deception Fires 272, 274 and 278; a military training Route (R346) has been closed due to the TFR.
- Oakridge Airport is closed to civilian air traffic; currently serving as the helibase for the Deception Complex.

Willamette National Forest Area & Trail Closures:
There are two closures on the Willamette NF association with the Deception Complex and the Staley Fire. The Deception Complex closure is an area, road and trail closure that currently includes the Lawler and Deception Trails and the Patterson Mountain Road; the Staley Fire closure includes an area and road closure.

Umpqua National Forest Closure:
There is an area, road and trail closure SW of the Deception Complex. Forest Road 17 remains open to Spirit Falls.
Check Inciweb for full closure information, including maps: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4093/ or visit the Willamette National Forest at http://www.fs.usda.gov/willamette or the Umpqua National Forest http://www.fs.usda.gov/umpqua.

Deception Complex: Started: August 12, 2014 Cause: Lightning Location: Two miles west of Oakridge, Oregon.

SAFETY CONCERNS: Driving hazards in town with school starting today and on the forest roads with heavy traffic on narrow roads; wildlife in the area, smoke and poor visibility, depending on fire and burnout activity.

RESOURCE CONCERNS: Threatened and endangered species, including northern spotted owls and bull trout; timber resources, impacts to recreation opportunities, threatened communities of Oakridge and Westfir, municipal watershed of Westfir, Deception Creek watershed above the mobile home park.

WEATHER: A dry cold front will move south across the area this evening, with the main impact being gusty northwest winds through late tonight. Wednesday will remain cool under northerly flow aloft on Wednesday, but the incoming air mass will be significantly drier than recent days. A strong surface low will develop west of the Cascades late Wednesday causing warm, dry and unstable conditions and gusty east/northesast winds Thursday and Friday.

TODAY’S EXPECTED FIRE BEHAVIOR: There was good drying of the fuels on Monday. Fire behavior will start picking up as the fuels in the drainages continue to dry and pre-heat.

COOPERATING AGENCIES & PARTNERS: Willamette National Forest, Oregon Department of Forestry, Umpqua National Forest, Lane County, Oakridge/Hazeldell Fire Department, Oregon Department of Transportation, Oregon State Police, Bureau of Reclamation, Lane Regional Air Protection Agency.