9/17/2017 Umpqua North Complex Update

Umpqua North Complex Update

September 17, 2017 – 9:00 a.m.

                                                                       

Fire Information: 541-378-6944 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm) 

Inciweb address: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incidnet/5505/#

Start Date: August 11, 2107   

Cause: Lightning        

Fuels: Timber, forest litter, grass & shrubs

Acres:  43,139 (+364)                        

Percent Contained: 38%   

Current Situation:

The Great Basin Incident Management Team #3 is currently managing 10 active fires within the Complex, located along 35 miles of the Highway 138 corridor and spread throughout 179,279 acres of the North Umpqua and Diamond Lake Ranger Districts. The fires are prioritized according to proximity to communities, infrastructure, and private lands.

Transmission lines are threatened and GBIMT #3 is working with Pacific Power to protect infrastructure to the east and west. One line is currently de-energized, but all customers have power. Umpqua NF campgrounds and improvements are threatened and evacuation notices remain in place. Cultural natural resources are at risk. USFS timber sales and private commercial timber values are involved.

An approaching cold front will bring an increase southwesterly winds during the afternoon along with an increase in clouds and a chance of a light showers during Sunday night. Wind gusts from 15-20 mph are predicted on the high ridges. Temperatures will be lower, 69-75 and relative humidity will be 20-28%. Fire activity is expected to be minimal to moderate overnight, although fires are expected to continue to spread.

Crews are working to ensure that fire growth along the 138 corridor is check or stopped. They will complete containment and contingency lines. They will check fire spread to the east protecting forest values to the East. Fire 625, near the Devil Canyon area, is in cleanup. The Ragged Ridge, Fall Creek, Eagle Rock, Oak Nob Fires exhibited minimal fire growth overall and are on patrol status. Firefighters will mop up burning debris that may threaten established containment lines. Crews will mop up brush roads to serve as indirect lines, and patrol fire areas to ensure the fires remain within completed line. Fire managers and Forest resource advisors have implemented repair measures to address the impact of fire suppression work. These measures include: building water bars to limit erosion, covering lines built by crews and dozers if needed, knocking down berms and removing piles of debris from line construction.

Resources:

Resources assigned to the Complex are 16 Crews, five Helicopters, 34 Engines, 5 Dozers, and 13 Water Tenders. There are a total of 763 personnel including the U.S. Army Taskforce Spearhead.

Evacuations:

Evacuation status is subject to changing conditions and residents must remain ready for evacuation changes. The areas of Dry Creek, Illahee, and Slide Creek along Highway 138 from milepost 53 to 51, and the Clearwater area from milepost 56 to 61 are in Level 1 Evacuation Notice “Be Ready.”

Closures:

Oregon Department of Transportation is currently piloting vehicles through the wildfire zone on Highway 138 from milepost 47 to 51. Be aware that conditions could change at any time and the highway may be closed due to safety concerns. Trees and rocks continue to fall across the highway every day.

For public safety, a closure order remains in place for areas of the North Umpqua and Diamond Lake Ranger Districts. The closure area map can be viewed at https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd558669.pdf. The North Umpqua River remains closed from Soda Springs Dam to Susan Creek Campground. The north shore of the river from Panther Creek (FR 4714) to Susan Creek is open to anglers only.