9/08/2015 Canyon Creek Complex Fire Update

Weather: Hot and dry conditions will dominate over the next several days. Today’s highs will be 62-70 on ridgetops and 72-80 in the valleys. Minimum humidity 12 to 22 percent. Winds will be 4-8 mph and gusts to 15 mph.

On the fire · Containment lines are secure on the north, west and south flanks of the fire where firefighters will continue patrolling, rehabilitation, and removal of equipment and hose line.· Firefighters are securing line on the east flank to the border of the wilderness. · In the wilderness, a crew will join the six rapellers at Slide Lake and another crew will join an 8-person module at Strawberry Creek using minimal impact suppression tactics (MIST). This work is part of a strategy to achieve containment of the fire and protection of wilderness areas. · The Malhaur National Forest is adding a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) to assess damage from the fire and prescribe emergency stabilization to prevent resource damage such as erosion and water runoff.· Minimal fire behavior is expected along containment lines today, however, there may be increased activity in the interior of the fire over the next few days as temperatures rise and humidity drops.  

Canyon Creek Complex FactsType, cause, date started: This wildfire began August 12, 2015. Cause was lightning. Location: One mile south of the towns of John Day and Canyon Creek.
Fuels: Timber, brush and grass understory and medium density logging slash.
Structures Threatened: 100, Damaged: 50, Destroyed: 43Size: 110,245 acres.
Containment: 85%
Personnel: 567 Resources: 2 Type 1 crews, 15 Type 2 crews, 4 helicopters, 17 engines, 6 dozers, 14 water tenders, 5 skidgines.
Due to increased containment, several resources will be released today.

Open and closed· The Grant County Sheriff’s Office lifted all evacuation levels for the Canyon Creek area as of Mon., Sept. 7, 2015.

Malheur National Forest changed restrictions to IFPL III and Public Use Restrictions B regulating campfires, use of combustion engines, chainsaws, smoking and off-road and off-trail vehicle travel. Forest area and road closures are being reviewed daily and remain in effect for firefighter and public safety.

Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT): Highway 395 is open for two-way travel. A pilot car may be on site to lead traffic in specific areas between 6 am and 4:30 pm.

Grant County Sheriff’s Office reminds people to be respectful of private property and to remain on the road unless invited. Trespassing is punishable by law and violators will be prosecuted.  

For More Information
Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4495/ 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/canyoncreekfireoregon and www.facebook.cm/malheurnationalforest  
Malheur National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/malheur/  
Air Quality Index: http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/