8/23/2015 National Creek Complex

Crater Lake National Park has closed the north entrance road between State Highway 138 at the park’s north boundary and the Crater Lake west rim drive at north junction.

Yesterday’s Activities: Fire crews saw an increase in fire activity with east winds pushing fire to the west in heavier fuels.  On the south flank some group tree torching and short-range spotting occurred. The structure protection group removed hose and other equipment that is no longer needed on the south end of Diamond Lake. Firefighters continued patrolling and monitoring the burnout operation along the north entrance road up to the Pumice Desert. They scouted for and suppressed spot fires east of the road. Crews worked with the Oregon Department of Transportation to remove vegetation along Highway 230 that was cut to reinforce the contingency line. Helicopters were used to ignite a burn out designed to increase the depth of fine fuel removal along existing containment line between highway 138 and highway 230.  

The Crescent Fire increased 1539 acres yesterday.

Today’s Activities: The Oregon Incident Management Team 4 will assume command of the National Creek Complex today at 6:00 p.m.  They will continue with the good work that has been done to contain fire.  The National Creek Complex will burn until a season ending weather event occurs, creating smoke on the Forest and the National Park.

Active burning is expected on the west side of the fire today. On the west flank of the fire crews continue making good progress building dozer containment line to connect with Bert Creek trailhead. Crews are using feller benchers along the 6530 road, reducing vegetation, improving it to e used as a containment line. Steps are being taken to protect wooden bridges on forest roads west of the fire. Firefighters working along the Crater Lake North Entrance road will continue mopping up and holding the fire. Expect delays on Highway 138 near the Crater Lake North Entrance road due to heavy smoke today.  Patrol, mop up and falling hazard trees will continue along Highway 230.  

Weather:  Warm and dry today with 90 degree temperatures in the valleys and 80 degrees on the ridge tops with an east wind in the morning and shifting to the west southwest in the afternoon.  The relative humidity is predicted below 20%. The potential for fire spotting remains high in the lodgepole pine areas and firefighters are poised to respond. Isolated thunderstorms are predicted on Monday with cooling temperatures on Tuesday.

 Other Closures & Evacuations Orders: Crater Lake National Park remains open.  The north park entrance road remains closed to facilitate fire operations and provide for the safety of firefighters and park visitors.  A segment of the Pacific Crest Trial is also closed from the park north boundary to the junction with Lightning Springs Trail. State Highway 230 remains closed.  Access to the park is obtained from the South entrance off of State Highway 62.  The rim drive is open and smoke in the caldera has been minimal.  Area closure orders have been issued for the Rogue River-Siskiyou and Umpqua National Forests near Diamond Lake.  There are trail closures in the National Park and on the Rogue River-Siskiyou and Umpqua National Forest.  Maps and descriptions of the trail and area closures are online at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4463/.