8/30/2015 Collier Butte Fire Update

Yesterday’s early wind and rain event was followed by another one in the afternoon and then another  this morning.  For now, the Collier Butte Fire is tamed and will be returned to the care of the Gold Beach Ranger District and the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.  The Type 3 team headed by Dan Quinones is working to transfer management back to the local unit.  This is all made possible through the organizational framework known as the Incident Command System.  Just as the Type 2 team quickly arrived to tackle the fire and grow the resources in order to manage and control the fire, the Type 3 team will reduce those resources just as quickly and return management to the local unit. Individuals, teams and crews are working today andtomorrow to return equipment and materials to transport spots to be cleaned, repaired and stored in various fire caches in the NW region for future use.  Other crews will be building water bars and employing other soil management actions to control runoff and erosion.  Camp crews will be gathering materials issued to fire personnel and cleaning around the fire camp.  Administrative teams will be completing financial reports, organizing travel arrangements for crews and individuals, boxing up computers, phones and other hard goods.  All sorts of legal records will be organized, filed and shipped off to the proper authorities.  Contractors are required to get their cost records in and pack up mobile shower, kitchen, laundry, trash, and sanitation units.  Not least of all, time keepers must verify work hours and input information to a national financial office to pay for all of this.   All of those involved then prepare to do it all over again at the next incident needing their services. The Emergency Area Closure remains in place on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. Please contact the Gold Beach RD for the latest update on all closure information. The temporary flight restriction over the fire area also remains in place. Fire fighters would like to remind the public to watch out for fire equipment working in the area. Bow hunting season opened this past weekend.  Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts should use caution while recreating on private and public lands.  While we received 2.5” of rain in the past 48hrs, other areas of the Forest received little to no rain, so extreme drought conditions still exist, creating very receptive fuels.  Any spark or flame may ignite a wildfire, so please follow local fire restrictions and remain mindful of fire prevention.