A Type I Incident Management Team Called in to Assume Management of the Natchez Fire
Medford, OR – As fire teams and managers continue to take an aggressive attack on the multitude of lightning-caused
fires, Pacific Northwest Team 3 (Livingston), a Type I Incident Management Team, will be in briefed tomorrow at 6:00 p.m.
to take over management of the Natchez Fire due to increasing fire
activity. The Natchez Fire also includes the Klondike and Granite
Fires located in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness, and numerous other small
fires.
All
three team managed incidents (Hendrix Fire, Natchez Fire and Sugar Pine
Fire) now have pages on our Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest web
page at
https://www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-
Between
the three incidents, seven helicopters are assigned and being in
utilized in conjunction with crews on the ground to aggressively attack
fires and a plan is
being developed to contain these fires utilizing these air resources,
as well as air tankers.
With the high level of fire activity and more predicted lightning, please stay current on RRSNF fire restrictions by visiting
https://bit.ly/2O2Vi2K. Additional fire restriction information can be found by visiting other agency websites, such as the
Oregon Department of Forestry www.swofire.com
As smoke becomes more prevalent in the valley,
Jackson County Health & Human Services offers a variety of sources of information:
For more information on using the visibility index during wildfires http://www.oregon.gov/deq/aq/
For information on smoke and wildfires in Oregon, visit http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.
For more information about wildfires and health threats from wildfire smoke, go to http://public.health.oregon.
Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District (Ashland/Applegate)
The Hendrix Fire: Unified Command with Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and Oregon Department of Forestry
Additional information for the Hendrix Fire:
Twitter: @RRSNF#Hendrixfire
RRSNF webpage:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-
Facebook:
https://tinyurl.com/y7dq7yaj
Email:
rrsnf.hendrixfire@gmail.com
Smoke information:
http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.
Information phone line/hours: 541-632-3567/ 8 AM to 8 PM
Resources Assigned: 429 personnel including 3 Hot Shot Crews, 11 Hand Crews, 12 Engines, 2 Assigned Dozers
+ 5 Dozers on loan from cooperators, 5 Helicopters
Fire growth to the
south is expected again today. On the south and east side of the fire,
firefighters are pursuing direct and indirect opportunities to contain
the fire due to steep terrain. They are working
on strengthening existing holding features like roads and trails, and
constructing dozerline and handline where needed to help minimize the
fire’s spread. Firefighters are also scouting and prepping additional
contingency lines south of the fire, along the
Klamath National Forest boundary near the 620 Road.
On the north and
west side of the fire, firefighters continue to go direct with some
indirect, constructing and improving fireline at the edge of the fire
perimeter. No additional growth has occurred in these
areas. Firefighters continue to assess structure protection needs in
the vicinity of the fire.
Temperatures are
expected to be warm again today. Light winds from the southeast this
morning are expected to shift to light winds from the northwest with
gusts up to 10 mph in the afternoon.
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, and
industrial timber lands. Public and firefighter safety is the number
one priority.
There will be a community meeting tonight, July 20, at 6pm, at the Ashland Hills Hotel in the Aquarius Room. The address is 2525 Ashland Street, Ashland, OR 97520.
We plan to record the meeting and post it on our Facebook page at
https://tinyurl.com/y7dq7yaj.
Information boards have been placed in the community including Little Applegate Road & Buncom, Star Ranger Station, and the Ruch Plaza.
Level 2 and Level 3 evacuations remain in place for residents near Hells Peak, southeast of Ruch. Details are available at
http://jacksoncountyor.org/
Residents in the area are encouraged to sign up for Citizen Alert at
http://www.jacksoncounty.org/
Closures:
There is a Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Hendrix Fire Area
Closure for the southern portion of the Siskiyou Mountains Ranger
District. Detailed
information and a map of the area closure are available at
https://www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is closed from where the PCT meets National Forest Road No.40S01 (Observation Gap) to the Grouse Gap Shelter. Visit
https://www.pcta.org/discover-
Safety Message:
Smoke conditions are expected to linger in the area at least through the
weekend. A number of wildfires combined with continued high
temperatures and the possibility of lightning strikes are
expected to contribute to poor air quality in the region.
The Watershed Fire, 9 acres in size, is contained and in mop up status with two hand crews plus 7 additional firefighters.
The Bull Gap Fire,
3.5 acres in size and adjacent to the Ashland Watershed (SE corner).
Firefighters completed mop up yesterday and the fire is currently in
patrol status.
Residents can view current air quality conditions at
https://oraqi.deq.state.or.us/
Regional smoke information is available at
http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.
Public health guidance for school outdoor activities during wildfire smoke events is available at
https://apps.state.or.us/
Wild
Rivers Ranger District (Grants Pass/Cave Junction/Selma) and Happy
Camp/Oak Knoll Ranger District of the Klamath National Forest
The
Natchez Fire
A
Type 1 Incident Management Team, Pacific Northwest Team 3, Livingston,
has been ordered to take over the Natchez, Klondike and Granite Fires.
There will be a public meeting tonight at the Happy Camp Grange at 6:00 p.m. All fires grew in size and efforts are being made to control the spread in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness.
The
Klondike Fire has grown the most of the three fires. Natchez Fire has
crossed Poker Creek. The Klamath National Forest continues to
contribute resources to the
fire. A plan is being developed to contain these fires utilizing air
resources.
The
Klondike Fire is currently 1,062 acres, the Natchez Fire is 1048 acres
and the Granite Fire is 233 acres. The Natchez Fire is located 15 miles
southeast of Cave
Junction and is three miles south of the Oregon California border. The
Klondike and Granite fires are in the NE corner of the Kalmiopsis
Wilderness.
Closures: There have been closures implemented for public safety. Visit the webpage links below for more
information on these closures.
Additional information for the Natchez Fire:
Facebook:
https://tinyurl.com/y9hzggmh
RRSNF webpage:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-
Natchez Fire Information Phone line: 541-597-4784/Hours are 0700-2100
Safety Messages: Bees and curvy roads.
High Cascades Ranger District (Prospect/Butte Falls)
The Sugar Pine Fire
consists of approximately 20 fires being managed by NW Incident
Management Team
#3 (Gales). The geographic responsibility area for the Sugar Pine Fire
start at the SW corner of Crater Lake National Park toward the N and
along the W edge of CLNP; SW on Hwy 62; NW on Abbott Creek Road; W, S,
and E along RRS-UNF boundary to the town of Prospect;
E along Red Blanket Creek to SW corner of CNLP. All
fires are being assessed and addressed to keep them as small as
possible, and bring them under control as quickly and as safely as
possible.
Additional information for the Sugar Pine Fire
Twitter: @RRSNF#SugarPineFire
Facebook:
https://bit.ly/2LccFR3
RRSNF webpage:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-
Smoke information:
http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.
Information phone line/hours: High Cascades Ranger District (Prospect) 541-560-3400 until a phone line is
established at fire camp.
West of Hwy 62 (estimated 8-10 fires):
Sugar
Pine (250 acres; doubled in size July 19; mostly due to more accurate
mapping. Crews are evaluating and establishing a route to access and
engage safely
on the lowest parts of the fire). Note: Sugar Pine is 4 miles east of
the Milespotter Fire which is part of the South Umpqua Complex (managed
by NW Team #6).
Hawk
(previously called “Elk Horn (Hawk Creek)” (10 acres; no change July
19. Crews continue to evaluate any changes and engage as needed.)
Round Top (125 acres with several spot fires across the 600 Road). (Increase in 25 acres July 19)
North Top. This is a new start, detected July 19, north of Round Top. Fire has been lined.
Sunshine (4 acres; grew 3 acres July 19; 40% lined)
Goodview
(70 acres in heavy timber; inaccessible, roadless area of Bitter Lick
Creek. Being assessed for tactical engagement. This is potentially a
large challenge
because of steep terrain, heavy fuels, and difficult access in the
roadless area.) Note: Goodview is approximately 4 miles south of the
Donnegan Flats fire, which is part of the South Umpqua Complex that is
being managed by NW IMT#6.
Kettle, newly detected on July 19, 2 miles east of Goodview. Also in the roadless area. 1/10 acre. Has been lined.
Buck
Basin (called “Buck Face” on some maps … 1.2 acres (Size decrease
reported July 19 due to more accurate mapping). Contained 7/16/2018)
Gravel (10 acres. Lined. Continue mopping-up) No change on July 19.
East of Hwy 62 (5-8 fires):
Union
(60+ acres. About 1 ½ miles from Crater Lake National Park. E flank
has line. 20% contained. Used retardant July 18 and 19 to reduce fire
movement to
the east toward CLNP.) Preventing the Union Fire from spreading to
CLNP is a top priority. About 140 Firefighters plan to spend 2 days
working from a satellite camp closer to this work site in order to
increase their work time and reduce travel required
to return to the more distant Fire Camp at Joseph Stewart State Park,
south of Prospect.
Alder (4.25 acres (decrease of 2.75 acres due to more accurate mapping July 19) lined; mopping-up continues.)
Soldier (1 acre (1/2 acre increase due to better mapping with GPS; contained on 7/18)
Coplen (1.2 acres (slight increase due to better mapping with GPS; contained 7/17)
Location and Landmarks Nearby:
Area
is High Cascades Ranger District, West of Crater Lake National Park.
Groups of fires are described based on being west and east of Hwy 62,
but these fires do not threaten Hwy 62.
Resources Assigned:
Crews: 14 Engines: 27 Water Tenders: 5 Fallers: 4 People: 406
Status/Notes:
Today’s
highest priority is to prevent the Union Fire from spreading east to
Crater Lake National Park. Sugar Pine, Round Top and Goodview Fires
have the potential for the most additional activity.
Temperatures
of 85 degrees are expected, with NW wind becoming gusty (20 mph gusts)
in the afternoon. Deep canyons make the winds highly variable. Grasses
are
fully cured. Dead fuels are dry. This area is NOT included in today’s
red flag warnings west of here. It’s especially important to be aware
of and report any new starts or fire that’s moving in the forest canopy.
Today,
Operations Chiefs from NW#13 (managing Sugar Pine) and NW#6 (managing
the South Umpqua Complex) will meet and coordinate tactics in the
proximity of Rogue
River Siskiyou and Umpqua National Forest Boundaries. Airspace issues
and tactical efficiencies are important topics.
Closures:
No
road closures at this time. A potential closure of the “Huckleberry
Mountain” camping area that has members of the public there currently;
and some of the roads that access this vicinity (nearest to
the Union Fire). No status change to report.
Safety Message:
With
so many fires, we are continually gathering information about the
existing fires (including those on adjacent jurisdictions) and any new
detections so they can be safely and efficiently responded
to.
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