8/7/2022 Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

 

Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Contact: Margueritte Hickman, Public Information Officer Phone: (541) 690-8574 Email: margueritte_hickman@firenet.gov   Challenging Fire Weather Conditions Continue   Medford, Oregon 7 August 2022—The National Weather Service forecast continues to be front and center for firefighters as heat, low humidity and possible thunderstorms remain in the forecast. A drying and warming trend is continuing through next week with the warmest days being today and Monday. Winds continue to be forecast as breezy to gusty through Wednesday, with Tuesday being the windiest. Isolated thunderstorms are forecast mostly east of the Cascades; however, there is a possibility of thunderstorms in eastern Jackson County on Monday and Tuesday.   One new holdover lightning fire was reported on the RRSNF in the Sky Lakes Wilderness. The Freye Fire is 1/2 acre, and four rappellers were inserted into the fire. They are being supported with water drops from a Type 2 medium helicopter and Type 1 heavy helicopter. A fixed wing reconnaissance (recon) plane is also assisting to provide multiple views of fire potential and to give real-time info back to fire managers. The fire is burning in brush and timber at 6,800’ in elevation and is in steep and rocky terrain east of Mt. McLoughlin.    With the increased fire weather conditions on both the forest and the McKinney Fire area, two Type 2 crews have begun removing brush from roads in the Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District. The brush removal will enhance the existing Forest Road 20 starting near Siskiyou Gap and working both east and west. The brush removal will remain within the established road prism and will be chipped in an effort to ensure safe access and egress of road systems while also allowing fire crews to become familiar with the area. These crews, and additional crews should they be needed, will continue this assignment unless they are needed for fire suppression.   It may sound like a broken record, but we encourage everyone to be vigilant in their fire prevention efforts. While there haven’t been large fires or many acres burned on the RRSNF, half of the fires found on the RRSNF have been started by people. Let’s reduce those stats. Tell your friends, neighbors and colleagues to check the current fire prevention measures and restrictions before they go out to recreate. Campfires are not permitted on the RRSNF unless in an approved metal ring listed on the forest closure. The RRSNF fire prevention measures and closures can be found here – https://bit.ly/3zsEJFW.  The photo shows smoke from the Freye Fire as seen from Rustler Peak Lookout on 8/7 USDA is an equal opportunity employer provider, employer, and lender