9/23/2017 High Cascades Complex Update

High Cascades Complex

Fire Stats: Start Date: 8-13-17 Cause: Lightning  Acres: 79,342 acres  Total Personnel: 934 Containment: 32%

High Cascades WEST:

Firefighters continue to make progress securing the edges of the Broken Lookout and Pup Fires. Chippers are being utilized to remove slash on many of the major roads along the fire perimeter including forest roads 700, 800 and 2925. Work also includes masticating unwanted vegetation with large machinery and pruning lower tree limbs to improve suppression fire lines. Additionally, firefighters are extinguishing lingering hot spots on the Pup Fire, mostly on the east side.

In addition to wrapping up suppression tasks and chipping, firefighters have started rehabilitation work along some roads and fire lines. This involves cleaning out ditches and reinforcing hand line and dozer line with erosion control measures. It is important work to accomplish before wet winter weather arrives.

A warming and drying trend begins today that could continue for the next week. Temperatures will rebound into the 70s and 80s by next Wednesday. Light winds from the North-Northeast will gradually bring the relative humidity down to 35-40% in the fire area.  However, there is no anticipation of significant fire activity due to these conditions.

New closure orders were issued on Friday by both the Umpqua and the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests (RRSNF). The closure order that had closed the entirety of the RRSNF administered portion of the Sky Lakes Wilderness has been rescinded to allow for access into the southern portion of the wilderness. The northern portion of the RRSNF administered side of the Sky Lakes Wilderness, closest to the boundary with Crater Lake National Park, remains closed, as does the entirety of the Prospect OHV Trail System.

The area closure on the Tiller RD remains the same with an additional closure of Forest Road 2823 (Castle Rock Road) due to active fire suppression efforts in the northern portion of the Rogue Umpqua Divide Wilderness. All Forest Service closures are still in effect until further notice. Many other road, trail, and area closures remain in place for the Rogue Umpqua Divide Wilderness and surrounding lands on both the Umpqua and Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests. For information about closures and restrictions visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/5503/ or https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/rogue-siskiyou/home/?cid=fseprd555085 or your local Forest office.

High Cascades EAST:

Suppression repair activity increased yesterday as crews accessed more portions of the fire area. Firefighters are reporting ample amounts of snow at higher elevations. Repair work continues to focus on chipping, felling dangerous trees and fixing hand and dozer lines created in fire suppression activities. The Incident Command team is working closely with Forest Service and National Park staff to identify high priorities areas to concentrate repair efforts.

Weather conditions and limited fire behavior has allowed the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest’s High Cascades Ranger District to modify its fire closure areas. The new closure information is available online at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5503 or https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/rogue-siskiyou/home/?cid=fseprd555085 The National Park Service has also lifted the level 1 evacuation notice for Mazama Village.

Beginning today, the public will be able to cut firewood from the log pile located at the Junction of Cold Springs Road and Highway 140. The Klamath Ranger District wants to remind the public to be careful in the area as fire repair operations still continue and heavy equipment will be using the road. A firewood permit is required.

North Pelican (3,589 acres, 73% contained) Crews finished grading Cold Springs Road and started chipping efforts along NF Road 350. Excavators began working on Rock Creek Lookout Road today and will continue to repair areas damaged in fire fighting operations.

Blanket Creek (33,322 acres, 23% contained) Crews removed the protective covering surrounding Bessie’s Cabin and repaired handline around the structure. Chipping occurred on NF Road 547. Crews will continue chipping and pulling hose for the next few days along the northwest perimeter of the fire.

Spruce Lake (15,826 acres and 22% contained) Two hand crews continued to remove snags and other vegetation from the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) to access and rehab the southern handline from the Forest Service boundary to Copeland Creek.

All concession facilities and services remain open for visitors to the Park. Motorists and visitors to the area also need to be aware of delays on Highway 230 between Union Creek and the junction with Highway 138 due to road construction.