Northwest Interagency Coordination Center: 07/23/2018 Hedrix Fire Update

Firefighters Taking Advantage of Favorable Conditions to Make Progress

Acres: Approximately 1,060 acres Cause: Lightning

Percent Containment: 20% Start Date: 07/15/18, 8:30 am

Location: 9 mi SW of Ashland, OR Expected Containment Date: 07/31/2018

Jurisdiction: Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest & Private Land

Resources: 596 personnel including 4 Hot Shot Crews, 13 Hand Crews, 5 Helicopters, 22 Engines, 5 Assigned Dozers + additional Dozers on loan from cooperators, and 10 watertenders, 2 masticators, and 3 skidgens

Firefighters are taking advantage of favorable conditions to make progress. Smoke and haze from regional fires continues to shade the fire, helping limit fire activity. Firefighters are have been making progress going direct, working along the fire's perimeter where they can do so safely.

Yesterday helicopters efforts were hampered by poor visibility over the helibase. However, there was clearer visibility over much of the fire area. One of the Type 2 helicopters was loaned to the Prospect Fire and was unable to return after its duties due to challenging smoke conditions at the Prospect Fire's helibase. A thoughtful and informed sharing of resources continues to be a powerful tool among all of the fire teams operating in Southern Oregon and beyond. Helicopters will continue to support firefighters on the ground, including dropping water and conducting reconnaissance flights as needed and conditions allow.

If conditions are favorable, crews may continue small strategic firing operations on the southwest portion of the fire to tie the main fire perimeter along the ridges down to hand lines and dozer lines in more accessible terrain to help secure the area.

Firefighters continue going direct, creating fireline along the fire's perimeter on the east side of the fire.

Firefighters are mopping up the north and northeast portions of the fire, extinguishing or removing burning material near firelines to help secure the area. The 20% containment is on the northwest portion of the fire.

Drivers near the intersection of Upper Applegate and Little Applegate should watch for firefighters and fire vehicles in the area as the fire team sets up a vehicle wash station there to help prevent weeds caught underneath brush trucks and other apparatus from being carried from area to area. Efforts like this help prevent the spread of invasive weeds like the Yellow Star Thistle.

The forecast for foreseeable future is continued hot temperatures and drying fuels. The temperatures at higher elevations and peaks near the fire also continue to rise with an expected 90 degrees at 4,500 ft by Wednesday. The chance of thunderstorms has decreased today, however activity to the southeast will be monitored for possible outflow winds. Fire crews will remain vigilant and are prepared to initial attack any new fire starts if they occur.

Firefighters are aggressively suppressing the fire where they can do so safely and effectively to protect and minimize fire effects to values at risk including residential structures, private property, industrial timber lands, and natural and cultural resources. Public and firefighter safety is the number one priority.

The lightning caused Watershed Fire (9 ac), Bull Gap Fire (3.5 ac), and 288 Fire (0.1 ac) remain in patrol status.

The Hendricks Fire community meeting held at the Ruch Branch Library, 7919 Highway 238, Ruch, OR 97530 was held with an attendance of approximately 22 local residents.

The video from last night's Hendrix Community Meeting at the Ruch Branch Library is available online at https://tinyurl.com/yczf47z9 . Additional community meetings will be held periodically.

Level 2 and Level 3 evacuations remain in place for residents near Hells Peak, southeast of Ruch. Details are available at http://jacksoncountyor.org/sheriff/. Residents in the area are encouraged to sign up for Citizen Alert at http://www.jacksoncounty.org/alert. More info about evacuation levels and preparedness can be found at http://www.rvem.org.

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Hendrix Fire Area Closure for the southern portion of the Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District remains in effect. Detailed info and a map of the area closure are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou. The closure has been revised to show Forest Road 20 as being OPEN from the Upper Applegate Rd. to Jackson Gap. Forest Rd. 20 is closed from Jackson Gap East to Ashland Watershed including access to Dutchman Lookout.

The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is closed from where the PCT meets National Forest Road No.40S01 (Observation Gap) to the Grouse Gap Shelter. Re-route information is available at https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/closures/oregon/hendrix-fire-southern-oregon/.

Smoke conditions are expected to linger in the area at least through the weekend. Today’s smoke forecast, including information about where the nearest clear air is located are available at https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks.

High smoke levels can have hazardous impact on health. People with respiratory or heart disease, children, and the elderly should stay inside and contact their healthcare providers if they become ill. Visit http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/ for more information.

Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and Oregon Department of Forestry Fire Restrictions remain in effect.

Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/y7dq7yaj

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/RRSNF #Hendrixfire

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5939/ (maps, photos, air quality info, links, etc.)

E-Mail: rrsnf.hendrixfire@gmail.com

Phone: 541-632-3567 (8AM to 8PM)

Northwest Area Large Fire Info & Map: https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/information/fire_info.aspx

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Hendrix Fire Information

Phone: 541-632-3567 (8am – 8pm)

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5939/

Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/y7dq7yaj