8/19/2017 High Cascades Complex Update

Increased and shifting winds complicated by canyon effects will increase fire activity with some tree torching and spotting. Air quality from fires throughout the region is causing unhealthy conditions in the fire area.

Blanket Creek Fire -           Start Date: July 26, 2017     Cause: Lightning     Size: 5,396 acres     Containment: 62%   

Location:  Approximately seven miles east of Prospect, Oregon

Status: Steep terrain, along with high standing snags from the 2008 Middle Fork Fire, prevents direct suppression activities in the Red Blanket Creek drainage. Fire activity will be in areas of heavy dead fuels causing torching which can lead to short range spotting. Fire suppression repair continues on the west side of the fire. Handlines and dozer lines will be covered with native material and regraded to return it to a natural appearance and minimize post-fire erosion.

Spruce Lake Fire -              Start Date: July 29, 2017     Cause: Lightning     Size: 5,043 acres     Containment: 60%   
Location:  West side of Crater Lake National Park

Status: Crews continue to work spot fires along the perimeter. The northern perimeter is being monitored where a high density of snags from past fires pose a risk to fire fighter safety and there is a low probability for the fire to spread. The east side of the fire has shown little movement for several days and is being monitored. The pumice fields and other natural barriers are limiting the fire’s growth.  On the west side, fire crews are mopping up and repairing fire line.

SHERWOOD FIRE (formerly Roseburg Fire) -   Cause: Under investigation     Size: 65 Acres     Containment: 40%        Location: Approximately six miles west of Diamond Lake near Sherwood Butte.  

Status:  Isolated pockets of heavy dead and down fuels continue to burn in the interior.

Broken Lookout Fire -   Cause:  Lightning     Size: 125 Acres     Containment: 20%     Location: Approximately six miles west of the junction of Highways 62 and 230   Status:  Aircraft will continue to monitor current fire activity.  The neighboring Falcon Complex has two fires that have the potential to merge with Broken Lookout Fire.

  Round Top, Needle, Butte, and Silent Fires  -  Cause: Lightning     Size: Total of 25 acres       Containment: 100%        

Values to be protected: Communities of Red Blanket Creek, Prospect, Union Creek, Diamond Lake, Mazama Village, Rim Village, Park infrastructure, forest service timber sales, old growth forest stands in Northern Spotted Owl habitat, Research Natural Areas, Wild and Scenic Rogue River, sensitive aquatic resources, white bark pine and other sensitive species and habit, visitor experience, unique volcanic ecosystems and landscapes.

Fire Resources:

Fire Crews	Fire Engines	Bulldozers	Water Tenders	Helicopters	Total Personnel
28	20	0	14	6	941

Weather:  Warmer temperatures, windy conditions, and drier air today could lead to increasing fire activity and more smoke.

Smoke Outlook:  To see smoke visibility in the area, check out the webcams on the Crater Lake National Park website https://www.nps.gov/crla/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm. A full smoke report is posted on the Inciweb website.

Crater Lake National Park Trail Closures:  Pacific Crest Trail from Dutton Creek Trail to North Entrance Road and from Hwy 62 to South Park Boundary; Boundary Springs Trail; Bald Crater Loop Trail; Bert Creek Trail; Lightning Springs Trail; Watchman Trail; Union Peak Trail, Stuart Falls Trail, Pumice Flat Trail. More information at https://www.nps.gov/crla/planyourvisit

Rogue River-Siskiyou NF Area Closures:  North and south of FSR 6205 from Crater Lake NP boundary west to the Forest Boundary and Park Boundary to Hwy 62. More athttps://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/rogue-siskiyou/