9/13/2020 South Obenchain Fire AM Update

 

South Obenchain Fire Update 20200913 AM update

South Obenchain Wildfire
News – 1:25 hrs. ago

South Obenchain Fire Update

Northwest Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander, Doug Johnson

Oregon State Fire Marshal Incident Management Blue Team, Incident Commander, Scott Magers

September 13, 2020 – 9:00 AM

The life and safety of the public and all wildland fire responders is always the number one priority for all fire agencies.  To keep firefighters and communities healthy and safe, all firefighters are asked to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce the spread of illness.  This also includes limited entry into the incident command post and base camp.  Please see the websites below or contact the Jackson County Emergency Management Office at (541) 776-7338 for further fire information.

General Updates: A Red Flag Warning has been issued for all of Jackson County as a dry cold front moves over the burn area bringing gusty winds from the west to northwest. Smoke will begin to thin out today bringing warmer temperatures and increase in extreme fire activity. If smoke clears sufficiently this will allow for air operation support over the fire. Firefighters continue to be on a watch out situation while reinforcing containment lines on all sides of the fire.

Crews on the southwestern to northern flanks of the fire continue to reinforce dozer containment lines and mop-up.  Resources along the east and southeast flanks where able to complete a combination of dozer and handline and continue to reinforce the perimeter. Firefighters will continue to secure the line while remaining valiant and watching for spotting over the next several days. Aerial resources will be available for the incident when smoke thins.

Four task forces of structural engines, with the Oregon State Fire Marshal, are working along the Butte Falls Highway and the Shady Cove area triaging and providing point protection. Last night, tactical burnout operations were conducted to secure homes along the perimeter.

Acreage: 30,503

Containment: 20%

Cause: Under investigation

Fire Information: (541) 776-7338

E-mail:  SouthObenchainFire@gmail.com

Information Websites:

Facebook: South Obenchain Fire

Inciweb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7185

Air Quality: oregonsmoke.blogspot.com

 

Evacuations: Evacuations orders are in place to protect the public and the fire fighters that are working to control the fire.  Please adhere to the evacuation level issued for your area. See the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office website for a full description of the evacuation levels. Link is below.

https://jacksoncountyor.org/sheriff

Jackson County Emergency Management Website link is below.

https://jacksoncountyor.org/emergency?fbclid=IwAR1vpAONtEj9BM1DAlB2jqXeDRAjVKRp1nfF54k0XyXU7QzUe2AfEIGzDig

Donations:  Firefighters on the South Obenchain Fire would like to thank the community for the generosity exhibited.  We ask that those interested in providing food, materials and supplies contact the local food banks or the Red Cross.  

Shelter Location: The evacuation shelter is located at Jackson County Expo Center, 1 Penninger Rd. in Central Point, where there is food, medical care, bathroom and showers. 

Weather:  Red Flag Warning has been issued for afternoon gusty winds with low relative humidity and higher temperatures. Temperatures will range from 76 to 81 degrees with relative humidity around 20-25 percent.  Winds will range from at 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 18 mph in the valleys and up to 25 mph on the ridges. 

Resources-623:  1-type 1 hand crew, 1-type 2 initial attack crew, 13-type 2 crews, 3- light helicopters, 5-medium helicopters, 4- heavy helicopters, 22-engines, 19-dozers, and 28-water tenders.

Temporary Flight Restrictions: For the safety of the firefighters and aircraft fighting the South Obenchain Fire, a temporary flight restriction has been placed over the fire area.  Please consult the Notice to Airman for specifics.  An unmanned aircraft (UAS) was reported over the fire area.  If you fly, we can’t.  The entire air operation must be shut down until the air space is reported clear.

Closure: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) hereby provides notice that effective immediately, public lands in and near the South Obenchain Fire are closed to all forms of public access. This action is in response to large fires currently active in the area. The BLM is closing public lands in order to reduce conflicts with emergency crews and allow for fire suppression and burned area site recovery, as well as to ensure public safety, land health, and resource integrity.

To View Closure in its Entirety:https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions or call 818-975-0419 for more information about the closure.