9/18/2018 Klondike and Taylor Creek Fire Update

Klondike and Taylor Creek Fires Update Taylorcreekfire2018@gmail.com Fire Information (541) 247-6789

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FIRE UPDATE SEPTEMBER 18, 2018 Klondike Fire  Southern Area Red Team Mike Dueitt, Incident Commander Overview Klondike Fire West Zone Fire activity continued to be minimal yesterday with limited spread seen in the Indigo and Horse Sign Creek drainages. Helicopters played a large role in keeping growth in those areas minimal. Structure protection continues in the Silver Creek area. The weather forecast is calling for a drying trend that is expected to result in increased fire activity over the next several days. Gusty winds are also likely to be seen in the fire area. Firefighters are continuing to focus on mopping up and holding the fireline, as well as felling snags and fire-damaged trees along forest roadways. Road graders will continue repair work on the roads and contingency lines west of the fire perimeter. There are several hot spots along the 150 road that are being addressed. The Northwest Team 13 will be assuming command of the fire on Wednesday morning. The Southern Area Red Team has timed out after three weeks on the incident. Klondike Fire East Zone and Taylor Creek Fire Forest roads off of U.S. Route 199 into the Rouge-River Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest - Wild Rivers Ranger District remain temporarily closed until the roads are deemed safe. Crews are prioritizing high-use areas for rehabilitation and repair work. As fire activity slows and suppression efforts are reduced, crews are concentrating on clearing out hazards, such as trees, that pose a danger of falling. This type of work is concentrated in higher-use areas, such as along roads, trails, fire lines, and public use areas. The fire may have consumed a significant portion of a tree’s root system or lower trunk, although the tree is left standing, frequently it is in a weakened state. A survey of road conditions and public use areas continues throughout the fire area. Hazard tree removal and grading forest roads to restore the driving surfaces is continuing. It is necessary to keep the roads closed within this area to facilitate mobility of repair operations with heavy equipment on narrow forest roads. Road Closures Bear Camp Road (23 road) is now open to the public without restrictions. All other road closures remain in effect. If conditions change allowing tactical firing to begin off Bear Camp Road, it 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 status in the Agness area has been downgraded to Level 1 – Be prepared to evacuate. Key Statistics Acres: 140,423 Engines: 16 Containment: 72 percent Water Tenders: 23 Total Personnel: 553 Dozers: 2 Crews (20-person): 8 Helicopters: 5 Contacts Klondike Fire Information Office:   Taylorcreekfire2018@gmail.com 541-247-6789 Air Quality Information:   http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/ Burn Restrictions: Burn restrictions are in effect in most areas. Check with the land management agency or fire district for specific restrictions. InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5998/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaylorCreekandKlondikeFires/ Evacuations:   Josephine County:  https://bit.ly/2uUku2C Curry County: https://bit.ly/2PaNCLr Area and Road Closures: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5998/47362/