8/13/2015 National Creek Complex Fire Update

Priorities include the structures around Diamond Lake and keeping the fire south of Highway 230

Yesterday’s Activities:  Firefighters continued to hold the National Fire in place and made great progress mopping-up 150 feet in from the perimeter to strengthen firelines.  The southeast corner has inaccessible terrain and is being kept in check using aviation resources.

Crescent Fire was pushed by wind and grew to the east and southeast in the afternoon.  There was also growth to the north.  Lichen helped carry fire into the canopy of the trees and contributed to spotting.  Firefighters mopped-up and constructed direct fireline where possible on the southwest side.  They improved roads to be used as containment lines and scouted possible contingency firelines.   

Three helitanks, collapsible tanks filled with water, were put in place for helicopters to use in fighting the fire.

Firefighters worked throughout the night to check the fire’s growth at Highway 230 it has crossed the Rogue River but remains south of Hwy 230.

Today’s Activities: Operations on the Complex will be a continuation of yesterday’s work.  The structure protection group is developing a plan and installing pumps and sprinklers in the Diamond Lake area.  Firefighters are holding and mopping-up the National Fire and are building and scouting fireline for the Crescent Fire. Roadwork continues, strengthening those routes that may serve as containment lines. 

Air support expects to be able to fly into early evening again today and initial attack resources are in place to respond to new starts.

If conditions allow, firefighters may burn-out between the fireline and the front of the fire to reduce fuels; a useful tactic in slowing or stopping the spread of the fire.  Two of the many considerations for burnout operations to be successful are whether fuel moistures are dry enough to carry fire and whether wind direction and speed is favorable.

Weather:  Changing wind directions and low relative humidity levels (15-20%) are expected to contribute to active fire behavior again today. 

Closures & Evacuations: Maps and descriptions of the trail and area closures are online at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4463/.  Officials continue to evaluate the need for closures and evacuations; they will make changes as the situation warrants.

Highway 230 is closed from mile marker 12-24 (ODOT Tripcheck). There are trail closures in the National Park and on the Umpqua National Forest.  An area closure is in place on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. 

Diamond Lake Area is under a Stage 1 Evacuation Notice; the “ready” stage in “ready, set, go”.

The acreage should be:119 for National Fire and 2852 for Crescent Fire for a total of 2971.

Quick Facts National Creek Complex Summary
Location:	Boundary of Crater Lake Nat’l Park & Rogue River-Siskiyou Nat’l Forest
Approximate Size:	National 119 acres Crescent 2,852 acres
Fire Containment:	National 60% Crescent 0%
Start Date:	August 1, 2015
Cause:	Lightning
Incident Commander:	Ed Lewis, PNW Team 3
Resources on the Fire:	Crews:  16 Helicopters: 8 Engines: 28 Ambulance: 1 Dozers: 3 Water Tender: 5
Total Personnel:	618
Cooperating Agencies:	National Park Service US Forest Service