9/26/2018 Klondike Fire Update

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

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Klondike Fire West Zone  A very dry air mass and gusty winds yesterday contributed to about 2,200 acres of growth on the Klondike Fire, mostly within the Snail Creek, Little Silver Creek and Browns Gulch areas. Due to steady water deliveries by helicopters there was little expansion on the Fire’s west side in the Illinois River / Indigo Creek confluence. Favorable wind direction helped hold the Fire south and west of where the Burnt Ridge Road (Road 2308) meets the Bear Camp Road (Road 23). Additional smoke columns in the area were rising from the Natchez Fire in northern California.  Similar fire behavior and suppression activities are planned for today with firefighters engaged in developing direct suppression firelines south from the Burnt Ridge Road, beyond the 150 Road into the Illinois River / Indigo Creek confluence; using existing roads to check fire movement northeast of Browns Gulch; and holding fire below the Burnt Ridge Road, at Horse Sign Creek, and other sites where containment lines may be threatened. Should firing operations become necessary to protect the Bear Camp Road (Road 23), a plan will be initiated to communicate efficiently and close the Road safely. Fireline repairs such as chipping debris, constructing water bars, road grading and restoring ditching patterns is occurring in areas where the fire is no longer active.  Fire engines, water tenders and other firefighting vehicles continue to be present in the Agness area and along the Bear Camp Road (Road 23). Use caution to share these roads and be alert for firefighting equipment and personnel. An additional area closure on BLM land on the northeast portion of the fire was formalized yesterday. Please respect these closures to protect your own and firefighter safety. Penalties for violating closures can include fines up to $5,000 and imprisonment.  Hot and extremely dry weather with east and northeast wind is expected to last through Thursday, with a gradual change to a more marine-influenced pattern over the weekend.  Klondike Fire East Zone and Taylor Creek Fire  During the next several days, hotter drier weather means the public can expect to see more frequent smoke columns from well within the fire. Initial attack resources remain staged near Miami Bar and along Chrome Ridge to deal with any increased fire activity or new ignitions. Increased fire behavior from the Natchez fire in northern California has presented a smoke column visible from much of the Illinois Valley. Firefighters thank the public for their patient respect for road and area closures in the area, and are working diligently to restore safe access to public lands as soon as possible. Additional resources are being added to the fireline repair and danger tree removal work along Peavine Road, and work is well underway to restore the road and remove danger trees near Pearsoll Peak.  Forest Service and BLM Land Safety Closures  Closures for both agencies are shown on the Klondike Fire Map, and formal closure orders are available:  Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts-notices  Bureau of Land Management (under Medford District): https://tinyurl.com/BLM-OR-WA-FireRestrictions