9/17/2023 Chilcoot and Ridge Fires Update

 

Chilcoot and Ridge Fires September 17, 2023 Daily Fire Update Chilcoot and Ridge Fires: Total personnel: 479 | Total Resources: 15 engines; 10 crews; 5 helicopters; 6 heavy equipment; 6 water tenders Northwest Team 6 is managing five fires in the area. In addition to the two fires listed in this update NW Team 6 is managing the Brice, Dinner, and Grizzly Fires further north on the Umpqua National Forest.  Chilcoot Fire: Size: 1,769 acres | Start Date: August 24, 2023 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 60%   Fire personnel continue to mop up and secure control lines along the western and eastern flanks of the Chilcoot Fire. Crews engaged a one-acre slop over along the southern flank where the fire remains the most active. A combination of direct and indirect containment lines have been constructed along the southern flank that connect a network of roads with dozer and hand lines. Fire managers plan to conduct an isolated, strategic firing operation along those areas of indirect containment lines to secure the fire perimeter. Aviation resources will continue to support ground crews with water drops during the ignition operation and as they work areas of heat that pose a threat to control lines. Ridge Fire: Size: 214 acres | Start Date: August 25, 2023 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 95%   The Ridge Fire is in patrol status with control lines mopped up and secured up to 250 feet interior. An engine will continue to patrol the fire perimeter. Fire personnel are confident the fire will remain within the current footprint. Unless there is an unexpected event or change in situation, this will be the final update for the Ridge Fire. Weather: Today will be mostly sunny with temperatures in the mid-80s. Warm and dry conditions resulted in poor overnight humidity recoveries over the fire area. Winds will be primarily out of the west/northwest in the afternoon with terrain aligned ridges and slopes exposed to gusts of 15-18 mph. Hazy conditions are possible due to high-level smoke from regional wildfires.  Smoke Outlook: Smoke outlooks are available at https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/467b8c16. Safety and 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   Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region | www.fs.usda.gov/r6