Fire Update for Umpqua National Forest
August 18, 2017, 9:45 a.m.
Current Situation: Light afternoon winds, warm temperatures, and low humilities led to an increase in fire activity across the Umpqua National Forest. Firefighters contained one new fire of approximately 1/10 acre yesterday in the Steamboat area.
With the large number of wildfires across the nation, firefighting resources continue to be limited. The Forest’s fire managers continue to move resources between wildfire incidents. Incidents threatening safety, private property, and structures are a priority.
Level 3 “GO” evacuations remain in place for the Dry Creek community, Illahee Road and Last Resort RV Park. Oregon Department of Transportation modified the Highway 138 (North Umpqua Highway) closure to mile marker 43 to mile marker 54. Now closed is the stretch from Apple Creek to Milepost 54 between Boulder Flat Campground and Forest Road 4775 (Medicine Creek Road). PacifiCorp de-energized power lines in the area to mitigate any power disruption to the area due to fire activity.
Alaska Type 1 Interagency Incident Management Team (Kurth) has entered into unified command with Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA) in overseeing the Umpqua North Complex on the North Umpqua and Diamond Lake ranger districts. The Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 8 (Keith) is managing the Falcon Complex on the Tiller Ranger District.
Fire Resources:
9 Fire Crews
20 Engines
2 Type 2 Helicopters
3 Dozers
5 Water Tenders
Weather: A warming and drying trend will continue through the weekend with little chance of thunderstorms. Light easterly winds in the afternoon and evening.
Evacuations/Closures:
Tiller Ranger District: There are multiple road closure modifications on the Tiller Ranger District. Please refer to the Umpqua National Forest website for further information in Forest Order 372. The majority of changes are roads west of the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness.
Diamond Lake Ranger District: There are additional road closures on the Diamond Lake Ranger District. Please refer to the Umpqua National Forest website for further information in Forest Order 373. Forest Road 2610 (Bird Point Road) leading to Lemolo Reservoir is closed at the junction of Highway 138. People should approach Lemolo Reservoir from the north.
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North Umpqua Ranger District: Road closures on the North Umpqua Ranger District. are contained in Forest Order 372. The area north of Highway 138 and east of Forest Road 38 (Steamboat Road) to the Dry Creek community is currently closed. Forest Road 38 remains open to traffic. The other closed area is south of Highway 138 between the westernmost boundary of the Umpqua National Forest and Wright Creek trailhead and dispersed campground. Roads inside the two closed areas are also closed to traffic.
Road Closure information and map can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/
Campgrounds and Trails: Closed campgrounds: Horseshoe Bend, Steamboat Falls, and Wright Creek.
Multiple trail closures are in effect on the Diamond Lake Ranger District. A list of currently closed trails is included in Forest Oder 373. For information please refer to the Umpqua National Forest Website.
In summary, people are asked not to hike or horseback ride into the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness, Boulder Creek Wilderness, or Mt Bailey area. Also closed is the section of North Umpqua Trail from Lemolo Reservoir to Soda Springs and the trail from Kelsay Valley Horse Camp.
River Closure: A portion of the North Umpqua River is closed to all angling, rafting and other recreational use due to significant public safety risks. The closure is from Gravel Bin Take-Out (Steamboat) to the Susan Creek Take-Out.
Road Information: Oregon Department of Transportation has closed Highway 138 (North Umpqua Highway) from mile marker 43 (26 east of Glide) to mile marker 59.
Current road information for Highway 138 can be found on the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Tripcheck Website. https://tripcheck.com/Pages/
Public Use Restrictions: Smoking permitted only inside a vehicle or building or in a boat on water. Campfires permitted only in fire rings in designated campgrounds. List of Public Use Restrictions dated 8/11/2017 available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/
With the number of wildfires and limited resources available, we ask for the public’s help in limiting the number of human-caused fire across the forested landscape. Please remember that campfires are only permitted in designated campfire rings. If possible, limit cooking to stoves which use propane or liquid fuel. Never leave a campfire unattended. Remember to drown your fire. If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.
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