7/17/2018 SW Oregon lightning fires update

Firefighting Agencies Coordinating on Initial and Extended Attack Efforts

 

Medford, OR – With local firefighting agencies working on separate and coordinated initial and extended attack responses on approximately 120 lightning-caused fires, firefighters and fire management teams called in to assist are also busy setting up to serve local communities. Initial attack efforts continue on fires scattered across the forest, with resources quickly being reassigned as objectives are met.

“We want to express our thanks to CalFire, ODF, the Klamath National Forest and the Klamathon Fire for allowing the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest to utilize some of their firefighting resources during a very busy time and in the interest of protecting local communities,” said Forest Supervisor Merv George, Jr.

Incident Management Team (IMT) 12 (Harrod) will be assigned to the Hendrix Fire and is currently setting up the Incident Command Post (ICP) at the Applegate Fire District #9 and the field adjacent to Cantrall Buckley County Park. IMT Team 10 (Lawson) is assigned to the Natchez Fire and is setting up the ICP at Lake Selmac Park in Josephine County.  In briefings for the teams took place in Medford yesterday evening, with representation from locally impacted private landowners, Oregon Department of Forestry, CalFire, Medford District Bureau of Land Management and the Klamath National Forest.

Both fire teams will provide local communities and stakeholders with current information specific to their fires. We ask for the public’s patience while the teams get set up. The forest will continue to issue the official forest-wide summary by mid-day and later in the evening for twice daily updates while fire activity remains high.

Helicopters and air tankers are available and supporting priority incidents as assigned.

“Since the lightning activity on July 15, 2018, the Medford Air Tanker Base has supported air tankers in dropping 230,000 gallons of retardant across southwest Oregon in support of CalFire, ODF fires, the Hendrix/Watershed Fires, and fires on the Umpqua National Forest,” said Air Tanker Base Manager Justin Bohannan.

Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District (Ashland/Applegate)

The Hendrix Fire, is currently estimated to be 170 acres in size, is located approximately eight miles southwest of Ashland and four miles northeast of Dutchmen Lookout in the vicinity of Glade Creek and Woodpecker Spring. The fire is located is located in the Little Applegate area three miles from the Klamath National Forest and surrounded by private lands. The fire is pushing uphill and to the south. On site hand crews and engines are going direct with additional Type 1 crews on order. 

The Watershed Fire, originally thought to be within the Ashland watershed boundary, is now estimated to be 12-acres is size. A 20-person veteran crew is assigned and has completed a containment line around the fire. Additional fires are located in Bull Gap area, and more information will be provided as teams get set up. 

Wild Rivers Ranger District (Grants Pass/Cave Junction/Selma)

There are 16 known fires on the district, some of those located on the OR/CAL border. The Natchez Fire is estimated to be approximately 60 acres in size, and is currently made of 8 separate fires. Firefighters were successful in creating a containment line around the Poker Fire, an approximate 6-acre fire located four miles south of Onion Mountain.

Two additional fire starts in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness, the Granite and the Klondike Fires, are staffed with smokejumpers. Both fires are approximately 8 acres in size.

High Cascades Ranger District (Prospect/Butte Falls)

There are 14 confirmed fires on the district. The Alder Fire is located on the border with Crater Lake National Park and is estimated to be 30 acres in size. The Sugar Pine Fire is on the border with the Umpqua National Forest and is also estimated to be 30 acres in size. The Round Top Fire is estimated to be 10 acres in size. All other fires are contained and in some phase of mop up and patrol. All fires are staffed with engines when accessible and with hand crews working on line/mop up.

Gold Beach Ranger District

Nothing new to report. Three confirmed fire starts have been reported with no containment issues.  The Bear Fire, located 2-3 miles northeast of Bear Camp, is approximately five acres in size and is lined, as are the other two fires.