9/14/2015 Canyon Creek Complex Update

LEVEL 2 EVACUATION NOTICE ISSUED BY THE GRANT COUNTY SHERRIFF’S OFFICE REMAINS IN EFFECT: Residents in the following area of Dog Creek Road are affected; 2 miles South of Hwy 26 to the Northern fire perimeter, West of Dissel Creek, East of Little Dog Creek. Residents are advised to pack emergency items, pay close attention to updates from the Grant County Sherriff’s Office, and be prepared to evacuate should the need arise. 

On the fire

Today will bring increasing clouds with a slight chance of showers late in the day. Temperatures will be 64-72 degrees in the valleys and 58-64 degrees on the ridge tops. This cooling and moistening trend should continue through Thursday.

Smoke from the interior of the fire will remain visible in many areas until a season ending event, such as steady rain over a long period of time or the formation of winter snow pack, arrives. Firefighters will focus their efforts on any heat near containment lines or residential areas while monitoring interior fire activity. 

Aircraft will continue aerial suppression today, working in close coordination with ground resources to take advantage of the cooling weather to continue extinguishing hotspots.

When traveling through the fire area it is important to remember that many hazards remain in the burned areas. Fire weakened trees can topple easily, large ash pits can appear cool but hold significant heat well into the winter and burned out root holes can lead to twisted knees and ankles. 

The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team continues to assess areas damaged by the fire. They are evaluating areas in need of emergency stabilization to prevent resource damage such as erosion and water runoff. 

Canyon Creek Complex Facts

Type, cause, date started: The lightning-caused wildfire began August 12, 2015.

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: 110,422 acres. Containment: 90% 

Open and closed

· Malheur National Forest has area and road closures in the fire area. The Starr Ridge and Parish Cabin Campgrounds are now open to the public as well as the FS Road 15 from the junction of County Road 65 to the junction of FS Road 16. IFPL III and Public Use Restrictions B are in effect. Public Use Restrictions B regulate campfires, use of combustion engines, chainsaws, smoking, and off-road and off-trail vehicle travel.

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