High Cascades Complex
9/1/2017 9:00 a.m.
Fire Information: (541) 316-8352
@R6RRSNF and @SCOFMPFireInfo R6RRSNF and SCOFMPFireInfo
There will be a community meeting at the amphitheater in Union Creek Campground tonight at 6 p.m. Fire managers and agency officials will discuss the status of the fires and planned operations.
A Level 1 Evacuation Notification remains in effect for the Union Creek area in Jackson County Oregon, due to fire activity from the Broken Lookout Fire. In addition, A Level 1 Evacuation Notification remains in effect for Mazama Village in Crater Lake National Park. Level 1 is the first step in the “Be Ready, Be Set, Go!” system. For more information about evacuation levels and procedures, go to http://tinyurl.com/BeReady-BeS
Yesterday’s Activity: Total fire growth on the complex was moderate (980 acres). Blanket Creek Fire grew 288 acres (12,514 ac.) to the southeast. Primary containment line construction was started on the northeast flank using dozers on the Fremont-Winema National Forest and crews building handline in Crater Lake NP from Hwy 62 to the dozer line. Hand crews continued the prep work along Hwy 62. The Spruce Lake Fire grew 70 acres (6,819 ac.), primarily from tactical burning to tie the fire to the east-northeast containment line. An air tanker dropped “fugitive” retardant to check the movement of the fire towards Red Cone. Fugitive retardants contain a color pigment that degrades more quickly over time. Fire planners continued development of a containment strategy for the Pup Fire (1,564 ac.). Crews made good progress preparing the southern containment line for burnout along Forest Road (FR) 68 on the Broken Lookout (4,651 ac.) and Windy Gap (699 ac.) fires. Firefighters also burned out down the hand line along Cougar Butte trail to tie the Windy Gap to the Paradise Fire. On the eastern side of Broken Lookout, crews continued prep work along FR 6510 which is located between the fire and the Union Creek community. The west and north flanks of the Paradise Fire (789 acres) remain secure.
Today’s Planned Activity: Firefighters will work to complete the dozer and hand lines on the northeast flank of Blanket and tie to Hwy 62. Crews are also preparing indirect containment lines on the northeast flank, along FR 3282 and Hwy 62. Tactical firing operations will commence along FR 3282 if conditions permit. On the Spruce Fire, crews plan more tactical burning near the Red Cone area and will be mopping up along indirect fire line. At Union Creek, firefighters will continue to prepare the area from the advancing Broken Lookout Fire. Indirect line construction associated with the Broken Lookout and Windy Gap fires will continue along FRs 68 and 6510. Firefighters will again look for opportunities near Windy Gap to use tactical firing operations to tie it to Paradise fire. On the Paradise Fire, crews will continue holding and mopping up efforts. Fire planners are assessing containment options for the Pup Fire.
Weather and Fire Behavior: A ridge aloft and thermal trough near the surface over SW Oregon intensifies today into Saturday. East to northeast winds this morning will reinforce dry and warm air with overnight relative humidity recovery near critical lows. Heating towards 100 degrees is very possible today in places where smoke doesn't impede the sunshine. Atmospheric instability will start today and into Saturday. Dry NE winds today may lead to periods of very active fire behavior. A rapid buildup of heat could result in increased torching and spotting and activity along fire edges and within interior islands and ragged burn edges.
Smoke Outlook: A full smoke forecast can be viewed at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incid
Crater Lake National Park West Rim Drive will open this afternoon at 4 p.m. for the Labor Day weekend. The road will re-close at 9 p.m. on Monday, September 4, for road construction. Motorists and visitors should drive defensively, as smoke may be present on roadways in the area. Visitors should also expect delays on Hwy 62 between Mazama Village and Fort Klamath due to firefighting efforts.
Closure Information: As a result of the fires in the High Cascades Complex, a number of area, road and trail closures are in place within Crater Lake National Park, Rogue-River Siskiyou, Umpqua, and Fremont-Winema National Forests. For specific closure information, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incid
Due to continued hot, dry weather and widespread fire activity in SW Oregon, the Rogue River-Siskiyou NF is now prohibiting the use of any power saws and yarding. Firefighters are stretched thin to contain ongoing fires. Please do your part to help prevent new human-caused fires.
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