7/21/2018 South Umpqua Complex Update

Firefighters are making progress on the Miles Fire in areas that have been threatening private residences, though the Level 2 Evacuation order remains in effect. The fire continues to spread to the north and east beyond the private lands. The Snowshoe Fire continues to be pushed to the southeast. It remains west of the West Fork of Trail Creek as it moves south on private land, and has remained north of Chicago Creek. Oregon Department of Forestry crews, working from the south, and federal interagency crews, working from the north, are striving to tie their respective fire lines together to prevent further spread of the fire. Spotting of up to half a mile has complicated the suppression effort. The Snowshoe Fire will be managed jointly with Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) under a unified command, with Melvin Thornton as the ODF Incident Commander. Near the Columbus Fire, firefighters are falling hazard trees, opening previous fire lines, and working to protect the world’s tallest sugar pine tree. A historic cabin located on Butler Butte has been wrapped with fire resistant material in an attempt to protect it from possible damage from the Columbus Fire to the north or the Sugar Pine Fire (located on the Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest) to the south. Incident Meteorologist Scott Weisharr forecasts afternoon temperatures to be several degrees warmer than Saturday, with local areas of critical minimum humidity (12% or less). There will be less ridge-top wind, but a shift in transport wind will result in increasing smoke accumulation over the complex. Thunderstorm activity is NOT expected over the South Umpqua drainage on Sunday, but areas to the south and east may experience some lightning. The hot and dry pattern will persist through the first half of next week. As Powwow participants head home this evening, heavy traffic is anticipated on local roads and highways. Fire at a Glance Community Meeting at Tiller Fire Station on Monday, 6:30 PM Forest Road and Trail Closures remain in effect. Fire Size:  3469 acres Containment: 10% Location: 45 miles southeast of Roseburg, Oregon (Tiller Ranger District) Cause: Lightning Personnel: 964 Resources Crews: 30 Aircraft: 2 Type 1 heavy helicopters 1 Type 2 medium helicopter 2 Type 3 light helicopters Engines: 31 Dozers: 9 Tenders: 18 Fire Information: 541-825-3295 SouthUmpquaComplexFire@gmail.com Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5940/ Facebook: Umpqua National Forest