06/14/2015 Buckskin Fire AM Update

June 14, 2015, AM

Buckskin Fire – Cave Junction, Oregon

Incident Commander Doug Johnson

Information Center – 541-618-2113

Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4286/

(NOTE: There are some difficulties with Inciweb currently)

Email: Buckskinfire2015@gmail.com

Current Situation:

The Buckskin Fire continued to grow overnight east and northeast in Baldface Creek drainage due to terrain and 40 mph winds in combination with poor humidity recovery.  The fire is now an estimated 1,200 acres. The wildfire is burning on the Rogue-Siskiyou National Forest 10 miles southwest of Cave Junction in an area previously burned by the 2002 Biscuit Fire.

Fire personnel spent yesterday scouting the fire’s perimeter and developing a strategy for full fire suppression, while monitoring fire growth.

Today, firefighters plan to begin construction of an indirect fireline along Trail 1210.2 on the northeast flank in preparation for a potential firing operation. Dozers will continue work along Forest Road 112 on the fire’s east flank improving access to the fire.  Forest Road 450 is also being re-opened on the southern perimeter for better fire access and to facilitate a potential firing operation. Six spot fires to the south/southwest of the main body of the fire, with the largest at about 30 acres, will be worked on by crews with support from heavy lift helicopter water drops.  Each bucket of water is estimated at 2,000 gallons. Firefighters will further assess opportunities for indirect containment lines on the west side of the fire.

A red flag warning remains in effect for the fire area through this afternoon due to continued low relative humidity and high winds.  These conditions may contribute to rapid fire growth.  Winds are expected to shift to more northerly and weaken later today allowing relative humidity to increase.  This may help to moderate fire behavior over several days as fine fuels become more moist.

Natural resources at risk from the Buckskin Fire include: critical Coho Salmon habitat, Northern Spotted Owl habitat, Marbled Murrelet habitat and wilderness values.

Local forest officials are working with Team 3 to develop an area closure around the fire for public safety.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR):  TFRs are in place over the Buckskin Fire.  Please check the NOTAMs for current information. 

The Incident Command Post is located at Lake Selmac County Campground and is closed to non-fire activity.  Heli-base is now located at the Illinois Valley airport. 

The public is urged to drive cautiously on Highway 199 and nearby areas due to the increase of fire traffic.  Forest visitors are encouraged to use caution when using public lands due to the current fire danger

Start Date - June 11, 2015                

Cause - Lightning 

Resources - Crews – 6   Dozers - 2    Water Tenders - 1      Helicopters – 8   Total Personnel - 203