8/11/2015 Stouts Creek Fire Evening Update

With persistent hard work from firefighters, progress on the Stouts Creek firelines steadily continues. Hand crews and heavy equipment continue to build and strengthen these lines, concentrating particular efforts on portions of the fireline closest to Drew, and the lower eastern and southern flanks of the fire's perimeter where the fire is still active.

The Stouts Creek Fire is 23,388 acres and is 46 percent contained.

Last night's burnout operations were cut short because fuels were too wet to readily burn. Relative humidity across the fire was the highest since the fire started, in some areas up to 70 percent. The moderate weather over the fire area the past several days, while reducing undesired fire activity, has also reduced firefighters' ability to perform advantageous burnouts. Growth of the fire's size is expected to increase little in the next 24 hours.

Relative humidity is expected to be up to 75 percent over portions of the fire tonight. Night shift firefighters will continue preparing existing containment lines for burnouts when conditions are more favorable. Firelines along the east flank will to be strengthened and mopped up.

All evacuation levels are at Level I.

Twenty-three states and two Canadian providences have supplied staff for this fire. These crews and staff bring expertise in firefighting operations and are helping local firefighters return to their initial attack responsibilities and regular jobs. As fire containment objectives are reached there will be a steady release of firefighters that have been assigned to this fire.

With continued smoke in the area, those with health concerns should talk to their doctor or go to www.oregonsmoke.blogspot.com. There they will find information on wildfires and health as well as access to Air Quality Index monitors. Motorists are urged to be careful driving through smoke on the roads, and turn on their low beam headlights. Residents and travelers also are asked to not stop along Tiller-Trail Highway to view fire or helicopter activity as traffic is heavy with response vehicles.

The Stouts Creek Fire costs to date are $19.4 million. The Incident Management Team leading the effort under unified command is protecting lands that are about 50 percent on state protected lands, which include BLM and private lands, and 50 percent on the Umpqua National Forest. The fire is being managed cooperatively by the Oregon Department of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service. The Oregon Department of Forestry's Incident Management Team 1 develops and leads the wildland fire suppression strategy.

Please note that the current Incident Command Post, located at Days Creek Charter School, will move tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. to the main camp west of Days Creek. 

Stouts Fire Information Office

Phone 541-825-3724

Facebook: www.facebook.com/StoutsFire