8/30/2015 National Creek Complex Fire Update

National Creek Complex Fire Information 

541-365-0940

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.  Park visitors are asked to use caution while driving, reduce speed, keep headlights on and avoid stopping near the fire.   

Area Closures: The Umpqua National Forest closure area near Diamond Lake includes the 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 allowing access to areas north of the river.

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 55 percent.  Firefighters have taken advantage of the rain and cooler temperatures to increase the area of containment.

Yesterday’s Activities: There was minimal fire activity, which allowed firefighters to accomplish most of the mopup work on the northern and eastern flanks. There was also extensive mopup work and removal of hose on the western flank.     

 Today’s Activities: Mopup will continue on the western flank today.  A specialized crew will be deployed on the southern flank of the fire to check fire spread using minimal impact suppression tactics. On the west, north and east sides, firefighters will focus on rehab repairing areas disturbed by fireline construction.

Weather:    Slight chance of rain this morning of amounts less than 0.10 inch.  Mostly cloudy with a high temperature of 66 and a minimum relative humidity of 45%.  Winds are SW at 15-20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.

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 Trail is closed from the north park boundary to the junction with Lightning Springs Trail. A suggested reroute is posted along the trail.

·         Area closure are in effect for the Rogue River-Siskiyou and Umpqua National Forests near Diamond Lake.

·         There are trail closures in Crater Lake National Park and on the Rogue River-Siskiyou and Umpqua national forests.

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

Donations:  Firefighters appreciate the public’s generosity but food donations are discouraged because of the highly specialized diet required.  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.