9/10/2015 Canyon Creek Complex Daily Update

Weather: A warming and drying trend will continue to strengthen through Saturday. Sunday and Monday should see the return of cooler temperatures and higher humidity. Today’s high temperatures in the valleys are expected to climb into the 90s. Ridge tops should see temperatures in the 80s. Minimum humidity will be dipping into the teens with the possibility of reaching single digits. Winds will be 3-7 mph with gusts to 15 mph.

 
On the fire

• Although the perimeter of the fire has not changed for several days, all areas of the fire remain staffed. Firefighters are monitoring areas of fire activity and responding appropriately.
  
• Increased interior fire activity is expected into the weekend as temperatures climb and humidity drops. Expect to see more smoke from the fire as well as more aircraft working, specifically on the east flank and Dog Creek area.
• On the east flank, firefighters continue to secure line.
• In the wilderness, personnel continue to work on the spot fire at Strawberry Lake. Firefighters will do a final check of the Slide Lake spot fire, utilizing a hand held Infra-Red camera (palm IR) as well as systematically checking for heat by touch, smell, sight and hearing (gridding). If no heat is found they will hike out today.
• The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team continues to assess damage from the fire. They are evaluating emergency stabilization to prevent resource damage such as erosion and water runoff. 
  
  
  
  
  Canyon Creek Complex Facts
  Type, 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 Damaged: 50, Destroyed: 43
  Size: 110,406 acres. Containment: 85%
  Personnel: 513 Resources: (2) Type 1 crews, (7) Type 2IA crews, (3) Type 2 crews, (4) helicopters, (13) engines, (7) dozers, (7) water tenders, (4) skidgines.
  
  Open and closed
  
• The Grant County Sheriff’s Office lifted all evacuation levels.
  
• 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/
Malheur Hunting Information: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/malheur/news-events/?cid=STELPRD3852316