9/3/2018 Miles and Columbus Fires Update

Although the smoke has been clear for a few days, the fire remains active, and varied hazards exist within the perimeter.  The public is urged to remain outside the fire area.  Work efforts continue on securing and reinforcing fire lines on the east and west ends of the gap between the Miles and Columbus fires, which are slowly burning toward each other.  Repair work will continue to focus on restoring dozer lines and hand-lines to a more natural state and to prevent sediment runoff from impacting fish-bearing streams. Firefighters will continue to patrol lines by road to ensure that any flare-ups that occur in the fire interior do not pose a threat to fire containment. A hazard tree felling team continues work along roadways, ensuring safe firefighter access. These efforts will also contribute to safe operations for the BAER team, and for the public after the incident concludes. Motorists are asked to be vigilant as firefighter traffic and equipment travel down roadways.  When encountering fire traffic please slow down, be patient, and drive safely. Until seasonal rains arrive, stumps, logs, and other ground fuels will continue to produce visible smokes.  However, all contained areas have been mopped up by firefighters several hundred feet from the fire’s edge to ensure these pockets of lingering interior heat don’t threaten fire lines. Larger scale east winds will have an impact on the burn area overnight, with dry east winds and moderate ridgetop recoveries creating the potential for increased fire behavior. Conditions will remain relatively stable over the next several days. Temperatures of 75-80 degrees with relative humidity values of 30-35%. Northwest winds will be gusty in the afternoons which may increase fire behavior. North to northwest winds will trend higher over Monday and Tuesday, especially late in the afternoons. General east winds will have some impact on the ridgetops in the fire area overnight, with recoveries trending more moderate and winds trending more north to northeast. There will be some downvalley flows, and these could keep winds more northwest and higher overnight within the southern facing valleys. Otherwise, warm and dry conditions will continue, with overnight inversions locking down any smoke within the immediate burn area. Cooler temperatures and higher humidities are due into the region mid to late in the week. Quick Facts Fire Location: Approximately 7 miles northwest of Trail, Oregon Miles: 35,825 acres/60% containment Columbus: 10,250 acres/56% containment Snow Shoe: 3,816 acres/100% containment Round Top: 154 acres/100% containment Start Date: July 15, 2018 Cause: Lightning Incident Commander: Brock Uhlig - Nevada Interagency Type 3 Team Resources on the Fire: 2 crews, 12 engines, 1 Dozer, 4 excavators Total Personnel: 232 Cooperating Agencies: Umpqua and Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests More Information 2018southumpquacomplex@gmail.com (541) 825-3295 https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5966/

PDF Version of Update PDF of current fire map