8/9/2015 Stouts Creek Public Meeting Tonight

TODAY’S PUBLIC MEETING: 7 pm at Milo Volunteer Fire Department

Aggressive firefighting continued Saturday on the Stouts Creek Fire as the number of structures threatened decreased from more than 300 previously to 163 today. Containment increased to 35% with acreage up to 22,501. The bulk of the activity occurred along the eastern perimeter of the fire, specifically along Hatchet Creek in the northeast and Forest Service Road 3201 to the south.

Today’s plans call for more of the same tactics that have been successful in recent days: burnout operations along Hatchet Creek will continue, crews will work to strengthen lines along the fire’s southern edge and much of the remaining perimeter is in various stages of mop up.

One big change for today is the alignment of upper- and lower-level winds in a west to southwest direction. This will push more smoke into the areas of Milo and Tiller while possibly alleviating smoke issues for residents along Upper Cow Creek Road.

People who are planning to drive the Tiller-Trail Highway today should plan for extra time as traffic can be congested and smoke could be an issue between Milo and Drew and points beyond. If motorists encounter smoke on the road, treat it as fog and use low beam headlights. Please do not stop along the road as traffic from fire operations will be heavy.

Those with health concerns should go to their doctor orwww.oregonsmoke.blogspot.com where there is information on wildfires and health, as well as access to AQI monitors.

There are no changes to the evacuation levels.

There are 1,628 people – 62 crews, 47 engines, 28 water tenders and 27 bulldozers – now are working on the fire which has reached a cost of $16.8 million. 53% of the fire is on state protected, BLM and private lands, and 47% is on the Umpqua National Forest. 

The Stouts Creek Fire is burning on private timberlands, other tracts of private land, Bureau of Land Management and Umpqua National Forest lands. The fire is being managed cooperatively by the Oregon Department of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service. Wildland fire suppression direction is coming from the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Incident Management Team 1.