Northwest Interagency Coordination Center: 7/27/2018 Hendrix Fire Update

Hendrix Fire – Friday, July 27, 2018 Morning Update

Hendrix Fire Now 60% Contained; Pacific Crest Trail Now Open

Acres: 1,081 acres Cause: Lightning

Percent Containment: 60% 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: 413 personnel including 1 Hot Shot Crew, 8 Hand Crews, 2 Helicopters, 10 Engines, 2 Assigned Dozers + an additional Dozer on loan from cooperators, 9 water tenders, and 1 skidgen

Firefighters continue to hold the Hendrix Fire in its current perimeter. There is fireline all the way around the fire. The 60% containment is on the north and east side of the fire. Firefighters continue to strengthen fireline on the south and west portions of the fire. They want to ensure these areas are secure enough to limit the fire's spread if interior fire activity increases with changes in weather, topography and fuels.

The forecast for foreseeable future is continued hot temperatures and drying fuels. Haze is expected in the morning with increasing smoke this afternoon. The presence of smoke will be a daily occurrence as long as fires to the west and north continue to add smoke to the area. Worse smoke conditions can be expected late in the afternoon and early evening hours.

COMMUNITY MEETING: There will be a Hendrix Fire Community Meeting tonight, Friday, July 27, 2018 at 6pm Ruch Branch Library 7919 Highway 238, Ruch, OR 97530. The meeting will be live streamed and a recording posted to https://tinyurl.com/yczf47z9

CURRENT EVACUATION ORDERS: The evacuation level has been reduced to Level 1 for the entire Jackson County Hendrix Fire evacuation area. A Level 1 Evacuation means “BE READY” for potential evacuation. Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area, and monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information. For the latest information, go to 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.

CURRENT CLOSURES: The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Hendrix Fire Area Closure for the southern portion of the Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District remains in effect. Detailed information and a map of the area closure are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou.

The PCT is now open on the Siskiyou Crest between mile 1695 and mile 1708. However, the Wrangle Campground on the north side of the Crest is still closed. Information is available athttps://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/closures/oregon/.