9/17/2017 Willamette Wildfires Update

September 17, 2017 - 9:00 a.m.

Fire Information: 541-719-8371 or email:WillametteWildfires2017@gmail.com

Rebel Fire:  8,653 acres

Horse Creek Complex: Olallie Lookout Fire, 1,572 acres; Roney Fire, 3,548 acres; Avenue Fire, 2,962 acres; Separation Fire, 17,747 acres; Nash Fire, 6,738 acres.

Total all fires: 41,220 acres (The team was unable to conduct IR flights last night so no change in acreage could be measured.)

Current Resources:  Personnel, 496; Crews, 12; Helicopters, 2; Engines, 25; Dozers, 3; Water Tenders, 5; Masticators, 2; Skidgens, 2.

Current Situation:

Weather: The Horse Creek Complex and Rebel Fire crews are bracing for a significant weather event beginning Sunday. Southwest winds gusting up to 30 mph are forecast to be followed by several days of rain which could bring up to 3.48”. Snow is possible at elevations above 6000 feet. Still, dry fuels could see fire growth in drainages that align with the wind. During this event, firefighter welfare becomes a priority. Incident managers will use judgement to adjust how crews approach the fires. Incident Commander Tom Kurth summed it up well, “Sunday promises to be an interesting day.”

Avenue Fire: The Avenue fire is the top priority. Crews have successfully held the fire to the 300 Road on the north. Crews with the Structure Protection Group are assessing areas at McKenzie Bridge and are prepared in the event that wind causes fire to threaten structures. Smoke will continue as dry fuels smolder and burn.

Separation Fire: Structures at Melakwa Boy Scout Camp, Scott Lake Campground and Frog Camp are secure, and firefighters remain on scene ready to act if needed due to the anticipated change in weather.

Nash Fire:  Firefighters again hiked the seven miles to monitor the fire. Little movement of the fire has been noted along the southeast edge toward the Cascade Lakes Highway. Crews are cleaning up brush and removing slash from the fuel break along the highway. Travel delays, limited visibility due to smoke, and heavy equipment traffic are expected. Pilot car activity is not expected to continue beyond Sunday.

Rebel Fire:  Crews will hold and improve their control lines, as impending weather may push the fire to challenge their work.

Roney and Olallie Lookout Fires: Crews are monitoring both fires.

Evacuations:  No change was noted in evacuation levels in the McKenzie areas. Lane County information and maps is available at http://bit.ly/2gPHzAn. Deschutes County information is available from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, (541) 693-6911 or www.deschutes.org/emergency.

Flight Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fires to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft operations. It is not legal to operate any aircraft (including drones) within a TFR. More information on the TFR is available at http://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html

National Forest Closure Orders:  Current information about closures on the Willamette and Deschutes National Forests is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/fire/?cid=fseprd552029
http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/Deschutes/alerts-notices.