9/11/2023 Chilcoot and Ridge Fires Update

Chilcoot and Ridge Fires NW IMT12 Branch II September 11, 2023 Daily Fire Update

Chilcoot and Ridge Fires: Total personnel: 562 | Total Resources: 17 engines; 16 crews; 5 helicopters; 9 heavy equipment; 8 water tenders  There are a number of jackpots (areas of smoldering woody fuels on the ground) but they have not caused either fire to grow. Firefighters are completing indirect fireline and preparing for a possible limited firing operation on the Chilcoot Fire later this week. Suppression repair and backhaul of excess equipment is underway as operations continue to wind down. On September 12 at 8 PM, Northwest Team 6 will take command of these fires, along with the Branch I fires near Cottage Grove.  Chilcoot Fire: Size: 1,769 acres | Start Date: August 24, 2023 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 30% The warmer weather brought more smoldering and creeping at the southwest corner and at Hipower Bluffs but there was no significant fire growth. Firefighters are strengthening line along the 3806 Road, while further east on the 3809 Road the two masticators have completed grinding woody debris left over from fireline construction into chips. The firefighters are continuing the miles of gridding on the north flank and the northwest corner is holding well. Along the southwest’s 23 Road, a grader is repairing damage caused by heavy fire equipment over the last few weeks. Ridge Fire: Size: 214 acres | Start Date: August 25, 2023 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 90%   The 9-member Wildland Fire Module (WFM) is hard at work as the last crew on the Ridge Fire. Yesterday they added more containment line as they completed more gridding. They expect mop up to continue for a few more days. This WFM is using MIST (minimum impact suppression tactics) as they work near the Boulder Creek Wilderness area. Weather: A weak cold front is moving into British Columbia and indirectly affecting fire weather. It will be partly cloudy today, with highs of 70-76 in the valleys and just 67-72 on the ridges. Wind gusts may reach 12 mph by the afternoon. The incident meteorologist does not expect rain the next few days. Closures: There is a forest closure for portions of the Umpqua National Forest in response to fire activity in the area to protect public and wildland firefighter safety. 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. There is Temporary Flight Restriction over these fires. Chilcoot Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orupf-2023-chilcoot-fire-unf Ridge Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orupf-2023-ridge-fire-unf Chilcoot and Ridge Fires Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chilcootridgefires2023/ Fire Information: (541) 900-5862, 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM Email: 2023.chilcoot@firenet.gov