8/29/2015 National Creek Complex Update

Area Closures: The Umpqua National Forest reduced the size of the closure area near Diamond Lake to include only that portion south and east of state highway 230 and highway 138. The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest opened forest highway 6560 between highway 230 and the Rogue River. The rest of the closure remains for the safety of the public and firefighters.

Crater Lake National Park is open. The north and the south entrances are both open. The north entrance road will have firefighters patrolling and working in the area. Motorists are asked to drive slowly, turn on headlights, and to avoid stopping near the fire area.

State Highway 230 and Highway138 are open to the public and will stay open when conditions are safe.  Check with Tripcheck.com or call 511 for current information .

Fire containment is 50 percent.  Firefighters have taken advantage of the weather over the last few days and made good progress in mopping up along the road frontage areas and containing fire on the west flank.

Yesterday’s Activities: There was active fire behavior in the interior in the afternoon. Firefighters were able to conduct burnout operations to secure the western side of the fire, which separated fire from other available fuels..  Firefighters completed line tying natural barriers in the rugged and deep Rogue River Canyon.

Today’s Activities: Today’s work will depend on rainfall amounts and duration. Firefighters will continue monitoring and will mopup 35-40 feet inside of fire lines. Debris, resulting from improvement activities to secure the line, will be chipped to lessen fuel loads.

Weather:   ¼ to ½ inch of rain is predicted in the early morning hours.  Strong winds with gusts in excess of 40 mph are also predicted. Relative humidity will be in the range of 40-50%. It should be sunny by the early afternoon hours.

Open and Closed:

·    Rim Drive and all Crater Lake National Park facilities are open and accessible from both entrances.

·    A segment of the Pacific Crest Trial is closed from the north park boundary to the junction with Lightning Springs Trail. A

suggested reroute is posted along the trail.

·    Area closure orders have changed (see above) 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.

·    Diamond Lake and Thielson View campgrounds are now accepting reservations.  Broken Arrow Campground remains closed.

Donations:  Firefighters appreciate the public’s generosity but food donations are discouraged because of the highly specialized and protein-rich diet required by firefighters’ rigorous work.  Firefighters appreciate donated stamped postcards from the area that they can send home. Charitable donations may also be made to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation or the Red Cross.