9/14/2014 Deception Complex Fire Update

A Red Flag Warning for gusty winds, low relative humidity, and increased instability remains in effect through 8:00 p.m. Sunday.  The Deception Fire is expected to become more active, especially from noon through 5:00 p.m., as relative humidity (the amount of moisture in the air) drops to 10 to 15%.  A surface low pressue system will continue to periodically shift over the fire, resulting in gusty, erratic winds.  As this system moves out of Oregon Monday afternoon, there is a slight chance of thundershowers and humidity levels are expected to increase.  There is a chance of rain by Thursday.

The Deception Fire continues to be managed under a full suppression strategy which is designed keep the fire size as small as possible while maintaining public and firefighter safety, and protecting natural resources.

Mop up (extinguishing all burning material) continued along the east, north, and northwest containment lines yesterday.  Firefighters continued to hold and improve fire lines along the west edge of the fire.  Low intensity, backing fires in the Fivepoint Hill and Kueger Rock areas burned within the established fire lines through much of yesterday, further securing containment lines in those areas. A few areas did not burn as complete as expected and may have the potential to reburn as fuels continue to dry. A heavy-lift helicopter dropping water was used to cool down a flare-up near containment lines in the Little Deception Rock area.

Mop up along the east, north and northwest sides of the fire will continue today.  Firefighters are also performing more mop up on the western edge of the fire as weather allows and hazard trees are removed.  The 711 firefighters, seven helicopters, 38 engines, three dozers, and 21 water tenders assigned to the Deception Complex are poised to respond if the fire makes active runs toward the west flank.  If smoke conditions permit, helicopters will likely be used again today to cool down hot spots inside the fire perimeter. 

Light to moderate smoke settled into low-lying areas over night and will last into mid-morning.  Winds out of the west and southwest will periodically push smoke into Westfir and Oakridge throughout the day and may become heavy in the early afternoon.  For additional air quality information see the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency website at oregonsmoke,blogspot.com or lrapa.org.

Public use restrictions and area, road and trial closures are in effect and can be viewed at:

            Willamette National Forest - fs.usda.gov/willamette

            Umpqua National Forest - fs.usda.gov/umpqua