8/1/2016 Bybee Creek Fire Update

South Central Oregon Incident Management Team, Leland Hunter

For Immediate Release: August 1, 2016 (8:00 am)

Fire Information

541-728-1999 or 541-947-6243

scofmp.fire.info@gmail.com

scofmpimt32016@gmail.com

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Bybee Creek Fire, Crater Lake National Park

• Firefighting activities are utilizing tactics that provide for firefighter and public safety while achieving full suppression objectives. The Bybee Creek fire was active Sunday afternoon spotting fire to the east. To keep the fire from moving over the ridgeline, firefighting efforts included fugitive retardant drops. This type of retardant is designed to fade quickly and to be used in wilderness areas. 
• Today’s operations will include using fire tactics. We will put fire to the ground to consume fuels in the path of the fire. Firefighters are also clearing vegetation from existing trails to increase the barrier between the burned and unburned fuels.
  • The cooler temperatures at night help slow the fire’s progression, making it harder for the dry dead fuels to burn.
  • We have increased the number of crews for these operations.
• Firefighters 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. Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics are being practiced to protect sensitive resource areas.   
• 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, the public should be aware of their surroundings and prepared for changing conditions.
• Weather: High temperatures of 76 today with 19 percent humidity.
• Crater Lake National Park implemented Stage Level 1 fire restrictions at midnight July 31, 2016.

      For more information: http://tinyurl.com/zrm2nh6

• 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: 9
Cause: Unknown/ Under investigation	Water Tenders: 5
Size:  425 acres	Dozers: 0
Containment: 10%	Engines: 6
Injuries: 0	Air Support: 5 helicopters + 2 fixed wing air tankers
Total Personnel: 280	Overhead: 37

*More resources will be arriving throughout the day.