Fire Update: Tuesday August 1, 2017 9am
Firefighters alert for increasing burning activity
Yesterday firefighters successfully held and extended established fireline on the Blanket Creek Fire as they were challenged by high temperatures, an unstable air mass, and increased fire behavior. Although the fire was mostly moving slowly along the ground, when the winds aligned with the slopes, short uphill runs occurred and groups of tall trees burned. Nine loads of retardant were dropped along the north ridgeline to secure that edge. Two spot fires were detected north of the main fire, and were quickly suppressed. Work continued on the remainder of the fire to check its advance downslope at Forest Road 6205 and to establish fire containment line on east and west ends. Over six miles of fireline have been prepared.
Today firefighters plan to continue the current strategy of using the road and trail system around the Blanket Creek Fire as containment lines and strengthening those lines by burning out as fire behavior and weather conditions allow.
The Spruce Lake Fire grew to 194 acres yesterday. Started by lightning, the fire is located in a flat area of Crater Lake National Park that includes large trees, brush and patchy wetlands. It also is partly on National Forest land. This fire threatens wet, boggy habitats for birds and wildlife and commercial timber just outside the Park. Firefighters have aggressively secured an anchor point along the 900 Road and have achieved 5% containment. They continue building containment fireline along its flanks, delivering water to check fire behavior with hoses and helicopters.
“The fuels are just getting drier and drier,” Fire Behavior Analyst Dean Warner emphasized to firefighters. With record high temperatures, low relative humidity, and unstable air forecast for the remainder of the week, fire managers are being challenged to employ the right tactics, with the right mix of resources, at the right time to ensure the safety of the firefighters and the ability to successfully meet suppression goals. Both a Red Flag Warning for an unstable air mass and Excessive Heat Warning remain in effect over the area.
No homes or structures are in the immediate area of this fire. Local highways and Crater Lake National Park are fully open. A Public Meeting will occur tonight (6 pm) at the Prospect Community Center.
Fires at a Glance
Blanket Creek:
1241 acres; 7% Contained
Location: 9 miles northeast of Prospect, Oregon; 5 miles southwest of Crater Lake National Park
Cause: Lightning, Natural
Spruce Lake:
194 acres; 5% Contained
Location: 6 mi west of Crater Lake
Cause: Lightning, Natural
Personnel: 827
Resources:
9 Type 1 Hotshot Crews
21 Type 2 Crews
20 Engines
7 Water tenders
2 Dozers
8 Falling units
1 Type 1 heavy helicopter
1 Type 2 medium helicopter
1 Type 3 light helicopter
Closures: The area around these fires is closed. The closure orders and maps are on the Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest website and Inciweb.
A Public Meeting will occur at 6:30 pm tonight at the Prospect Community Center to share information about fire status and operations. Please come!
Fire Information sources:
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