7/31/2016 Bybee Creek Fire AM Update

South Central Oregon Incident Management Team,

 Leland Hunter

For Immediate Release: July 31, 2016 (8:00 am)

Fire Information

541-728-1999 or 541-947-6243

scofmp.fire.info@gmail.com

scofmpimt32016@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/SCOFMP/

  Bybee Creek Fire, Crater Lake National Park

• Yesterday’s dry, hot weather contributed to an increase in fire activity and acres burned. We are currently at 325 acres. The fire is burning two miles west of Crater Lake.  Fire crews and aerial resources continue to work towards containment.
• Today as the temperatures heat up over the fire area, the fire will again become very active in the afternoon hours. In the areas of the Bybee 2006 fire, where the timber did not burn, the potential for growth is greatly increased with possible crown runs.
• Fire fighters will work to keep the fire east of the Pacific Crest Trail, south of the Lightning Springs Trail and west of the Crater lake Rim Drive.
• The area is in proposed wilderness and the Rogue River watershed.  Firefighting tactics are taking sensitive resources into account.   
• While visitors should not be impacted directly by firefighting activities, they will see smoke.  Fire operations are visible from the Rim Road and there is increased traffic in the park as well as aerial operations.
• Fire danger remains high and the public should be aware of their surroundings and prepared for changing conditions.
• Park visitors camping in the backcountry are asked use to use caution with their campfires, ensure it is always supervised while burning and is completely out before leaving camp.  There should always be a shovel and bucket of water nearby.  When extinguishing the fire, use the shovel to stir in water and feel the coals with your hands to ensure there are no warm spots.  It only takes one coal or ember to spark a wildfire!
• Weather: High temperatures of 76 today with 19 percent humidity.
• Closure Information: The Pacific Crest Trail is closed from Dutton Creek Camp north to the PCT parking lot on North Entrance Road.  PCT hikers use Dutton Creek Trail to the Rim Trail as an alternate route.  Lightning Springs Trail and backcountry camp are closed

Location: Crater Lake National Park	Resources:
Date Started: July 28	Handcrews: 6
Cause: Unknown/ Under investigation	Water Tenders: 2
Size:  325 Acres	Dozers: 0
Containment: 5%	Engines: 1
Injuries: 0	Air Support: 4 helicopters
Total Personnel: 183	Overhead: 37

*More resources will be arriving throughout the day.