9/17/2015 Canyon Creek Fire Update

THE GRANT COUNTY SHERRIFF’S OFFICE CONTINUES THE LEVEL 1 EVACUATION NOTICE: 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 Sheriff’s Office, and be prepared to evacuate should the need arise.
Current situation:

· Scattered rain showers tracked over the fire area yesterday delivering around .1 inch of precipitation. The higher elevations saw a light dusting of snow. For today cloudy weather with light rain is expected this morning transitioning to showers in the afternoon. Rain should become snow above the 7,500-foot level.

· Malheur National Forest officials have implemented Phase A of the Public Use Restrictions (PURs) and Level II of the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2015 forest-wide.

· There has been a reduction in the closures on the western portions of the fire. 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.

· 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.

· The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team is done with initial evaluations and is working on compiling their findings.

Open and closed

· Malheur National Forest has area and road closures in the fire area. The Starr Ridge and Parish Cabin Campgrounds are 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 II and Public Use Restrictions A are in effect. Public Use Restrictions A 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.

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/
Malheur Hunting Information: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/malheur/news-events/?cid=STELPRD3852316