9/15/2015 Canyon Creek Complex Update

LEVEL 2 EVACUATION NOTICE REDUCED TO LEVEL 1 BY THE GRANT COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE: 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 be fire ready, pay close attention to updates from the Grant County Sheriffs Office, and be prepared to evacuate should the need arise. 

On the fire

A low-pressure system is sitting over the Pacific Northwest bringing lower temperatures and higher humidity to the fire area. A stronger system moving through Wednesday and Thursday will bring a good chance of rain. 

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. Aircraft will no longer be using the blue Thermo-Gel and will be switching exclusively to water. The Thermo-Gel remains effective where it has been applied and is reactivated when contacted by moisture. 

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 is done with initial evaluations and is working on implementing mitigations. 

Open and closed

Malheur National Forest has area and road closures in the fire area. The closure boundary is currently being assessed for modification. 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 regulates 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.