9/17/2018 Klondike and Taylor Creek Fire Update

Klondike Fire West Zone
Fire activity was low yesterday with minimal fire growth in the Silver Creek drainage. Helicopter bucket drops prevented fire spread in the Indigo Creek area. Although minimal amounts of rain are forecast for the area this morning, it will not be enough to reduce fire behavior significantly on a long-term basis. Conditions supporting higher fire activity are forecast for Tuesday.

Today firefighters will focus on mopping up and holding the fireline, as well as felling snags and fire-damaged trees along forest roadways. Road graders will complete the last phase of work on the contingency lines west of the fire perimeter. Work on construction of check lines between the North Fork of Indigo Creek and Cedar Mountain, which are in place as potential control lines, should be completed today or tomorrow.

Klondike Fire East Zone and Taylor Creek Fire
Until substantial rainfall is received, interior pockets of unburned fuel will continue to smolder and produce smoke. Rehabilitation efforts are focusing on the lands unlikely to recover naturally from wildland fire damage. Such activities include the use of slash/mulch on suppression control lines to prevent erosion, grading forest roads to restore the driving surface, and hazard tree removal. Crews are being reallocated to other areas of the fire as work is completed. Personnel are locating and evaluating equipment no longer in use for suppression or repair work and will release it to other incidents if needed.

Road Closures
Bear Camp Road, from the intersection with the Merlin-Galice Road (Josephine County Road #2400 and #2401) west to the intersection with Forest Service Road 33, will remain open for the Agness and Galice residents, permit holders, and lodges until further notice. The Weather forecast indicates this will remain in effect for several days; however, unexpected fire behavior could cause a complete closing to all non-fire traffic at any time. We really appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation. If there is unexpected fire behavior or conditions change allowing tactical firing to begin off Bear Camp Road, the road will be closed to all non-fire traffic until it is safe for the public.

Road 3313 in the Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest is also closed from the junction at Road 33 to the junction at Road 3680.

Evacuation Level
The evacuation level in the Agness Zone is 2 – Be Set