8/4/2018 Sugar Pine AM Update

Sugar Pine Fact Sheet August 4, 2018  10:00 a.m.

Prospect, Oregon – The Northwest Incident Management Team #13 (NW#13) was mobilized to control nineteen fires on the High Cascades Ranger District west of Crater Lake National Park under the collective name Sugar Pine, which is also the name of one specific fire.  The Goodview Fire has merged with the Sugar Pine Fire.  Both will be referred to as the “Sugar Pine Fire”.  The Sugar Pine Fire is now 8,496 acres. The Miles Fire (over 10,000 acres) is part of the neighboring “South Umpqua Complex”. The Miles Fire has also spread into the Sugar Pine.

Yesterday, the Miles/Sugar Pine fires made no runs and grew very little.  The 200-acre spot fire that started on the south east side of Elk Creek Thursday afternoon was aggressively attacked by hand crews, heavy equipment and air support and was successfully held in check with direct and indirect line construction.  Homes along Elk Creek Road were protected.  The Miles and Sugar Pine fires continue to merge interiorly which concerns fire managers because, as they combine, the fire develops more potential for future growth.

Today, firefighters will continue to provide structure protection along Elk Creek Road and will be initiating protection assessments on the homes that are in the Level 3 Evacuation area along Ulrich Road.  Additionally, firefighters will be reinforcing constructed firelines northward along Forest Road 6640 and will directly attack any spot fires if they develop.  Firefighters are continuing to flow in to help from around the country.  Recently, crews have arrived from as far away as Puerto Rico and Pennsylvania.

The NW#13 is currently transitioning the work of halting the Sugar Pine Fire to Northern Rockies Incident Management Type 1 Team.  The NW#13 has successfully suppressed 16 of the 19 fires that they assumed responsibility for on July 19.  Firefighters have been battling these fires in very adverse, steep, inaccessible conditions and flashy fuels.  The NW#13 would like to thank the local communities for their support and appreciation of firefighting efforts.  Unified Command now includes the Oregon Dept. of Forestry and the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office.   The Oregon National Guard, the Jackson County Sheriff, Oregon State Patrol, Army Corps of Engineers and Oregon State Parks are also integrated in this effort.  The Northern Rockies Incident Management Team will continue the work to minimize the impact of these fires to private lands, the public and natural resources. 

Weather: Today’s weather will be similar to previous days with temperatures in the upper 70s to low 80s with a relative humidity falling to 25-30% in the afternoon when NW winds will rise up to 12 mph. There is a slight chance that a thunderstorm could occur in the area. 

Resources: 954 people including 38 crews, 13 fallers, 72 engines, 20 water tenders, 16 dozers, 7 masticators,

7 chippers, 4 skidgeons, 3 fellers, 1 road grader and 1 excavator.  1 Type I, 1 Type II and 2 Type III helicopters. Helicopter usage has been limited by heavy smoke during some parts of each day.

Closures: Access into Level 3 Evacuation areas is determined by emergency officials and limited to residents.  As evacuation notifications change, updates are shown on the Jackson County Sheriff’s websitehttps://flashalert.net/id/JCSO/116576  Landowners can check their evacuation status through the interactive map at https://bit.ly/2uUku2C.  Homeowners in the designated evacuations areas need to take the threat seriously.  It is early in the fire season and this fire has the potential to persist for weeks.  Fire behavior will increase when hotter weather returns and winds are strong.

An Emergency Road and Area Fire Closure on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has closed the Forest west of Forest Road 68 near the northern boundary and all of Forest Road 6640.  The Army Corps of Engineers has closed access roads around Lost Lake.

Safety: Be aware of slow moving fire traffic, especially on Elk Creek Road, near the Hwy 62 entrances to Fire Camp at Joseph Stewart State Park and on Forest Service roads. Smoke will be heavy most of the day.  Increase following distances and drive with headlights on.  Air quality information is available at http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com.

Fire Summary: 8,788 acres have burned on all “Sugar Pine” fires combined. Sugar Pine (8,496 acres, 0% contained).  Heavy equipment and crews establishing indirect and direct fireline south and east of the fires. Structure protection in the Elk Creek area. Round Top (154 acres, 60% contained), Union (105 acres; 78% contained), Junction (6 acres) and Sunshine (4 acres): Mop up. Hawk Creek, North Top,Kettle, Buck Basin, Gravel, Spring 2, Alder, Soldier, Coplen: Patrol status.