09/03/2023 Chilcoot and Ridge Fires Update

 

CHILCOOT AND RIDGE FIRE UPDATE Sunday, September 3, 2023 Chilcoot Fire: Size: – 1,762 acres Containment:4% Ridge Fire: Size – 238 acres Containment: 45% Scattered showers and thunderstorms occurred in and around the fire area Saturday, minimizing fire activity. Creeping and smoldering was observed with concentrations of dead and downed fuels remaining active. One helicopter was utilized to drop buckets on areas of heat. Last night an infrared (IR) flight was utilized to secure an accurate map of the fire and detect heat spots. Firefighters will continue to push forward, building and securing containment lines. Cooler temperatures, rain and aggressive efforts by firefighters have contributed to an increase in containment on the Chilcoot and Ridge fires. Chilcoot Fire - On the west flank of the fire, crews continued to mop up along road and dozer lines. Firefighters are working aggressively to secure the fire's edge from the southwest corner of the Hipower Creek towards the 3803 road. In the northeast corner of the fire, crews secured hand-lines and progressed to the west in effort to minimize the fire footprint. Equipment will continue to be utilized by opening and improving the 3806 road south to the 38 road. Firefighters continue to work together in order to go direct on the fire line to build and secure containment lines.  Ridge Fire – Firefighters are working directly along the fire's edge to establish and secure containment lines. Resources will be shifted to the Chilcoot fire as the containment line becomes firm.  Weather – A slight cooling trend continues, with higher relative humidity, likely leading to minimally active fire behavior. Passage of surface or upper level low pressure systems of precipitation are expected through Monday night. The rest of the week's forecast shows dry conditions, with near normal temperatures in the mid-70's. Evacuations No current evacuations. Closures Closure Order (06-15-00-23-475) in the Umpqua NF has been established. The order is effective from Aug 28, 2023 – Dec 1, 2023. For full order go to can be found at Umpqua National Forest - Alerts & Notices (usda.gov) A Closure Order for the Canton Creek area has been issued by Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Chilcoot Ridge Fire EMERGENCY CLOSURE ORDER BLM Roseburg District Temporary Flight Restrictions can be found at https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.jsp Additional information • InciWeb Chilcoot Fire: Orupf 2023 Chilcoot Fire Unf Information | InciWeb (wildfire.gov) • InciWeb Ridge Fire: Orupf 2023 Ridge Fire Unf Information | InciWeb (wildfire.gov) • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550481586772 • Twitter: https://twitter.com/UmpquaNF

Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region | www.fs.usda.gov/r6