Smoke limits ability to fight Crane Fire [VIDEO]

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The #CraneFire as see on August 17, 2020 10 miles outside of Lakeview, Oregon. (Image: USFS / Inciweb)

The #CraneFire as see on August 17, 2020 10 miles outside of Lakeview, Oregon. (Image: USFS / Inciweb)

LAKEVIEW, Ore. - The Crane Fire continues to burn approximately 10 miles southeast of Lakeview, Oregon. Today’s weather will be warm and smoky, with high temperatures of 85-88 degrees and winds 12-17 mph gusting to 25 mph in the afternoon. The cause of the fire has been determined to be from lightning.

The weather will change tomorrow, and a Red Flag Warning is in effect for Sunday afternoon and evening for strong, dry, gusty winds.

Smoke impacts from fires in California are predicted to worsen over the next few days and continue to affect Lakeview and New Pine Creek. This smoke layer over the fire dampens fire activity and limits the ability of helicopters to operate over the fire for water drops.

Fire activity is again expected to increase as the smoke layer lifts mid-afternoon.

No structures are currently threatened by the Crane Fire, including the town of Lakeview, Oregon.

Crane Fire PIO Map for 8/22/2020 (Click for Larger)

Yesterday’s Operations
Fire crews continued to strengthen and secure control lines and began mop-up operations on the western side of the fire.

Firefighters conducted additional burning operations along the 3915 road on the eastern side of the fire yesterday and last night.

Northwest Incident Management Team 12 conducted a pair of virtual community meetings in English and Spanish via Facebook in partnership with the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, the Fremont-Winema National Forest and the South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership (SCOFMP).

Today’s Operations
Firefighters will continue burnout operations along the 3915 road to remove unburned fuels between the control line and the fire. In the southeastern portion of the fire, firefighters continue to build indirect control line and are evaluating options for direct control line construction. This largely roadless area SE of the fire is challenging firefighters working to minimize the fire footprint in this rugged terrain.

Additional Notes of Interest

  • The one reported illness was dehydration.

  • There will be a virtual public meeting held tonight.

  • The fire area and the town of Lakeview was very smoky today. The smoke is coming up from the California fires.

  • Last night Div-Z conducted burn operations to secure where the fire had burned down to the 3915 road. There were numerous spot fires resulting from the burn.

  • Today type 1 helicopter bucket work aided hand crews in catching the many spot fires that resulted from burn operations in Div-Z. Burn operations will continue tonight in Div-Z.

  • Burning operations in Div-B last night resulted in many spots west and north (in Div-A) of the control lines where the fire burned onto private lands. All

  • Part of the fire area and the lands south of the fire area are designated roadless areas. There are many natural resources at risk near the fire including wetlands and scab-lands. The area sees heavy recreation use including camping, hiking and is well known for hunting opportunities.

Projected Incident Activity
12 hours: Backing and flanking with moderate fire behavior along the perimeter in areas of heavy surface fuels that are unlined. Occasional torching and short-range spotting.

24 hours: Backing and flanking with moderate fire behavior along the perimeter in areas of heavy surface fuels that are unlined. Occasional torching and short-range spotting.

48 hours: There is potential for more torching and spotting as a result of anticipated stronger winds and low relative humidity.

72 hours: Anticipate increased torching and spotting as a result of gusty and erratic winds from passing thunderstorms.

Weather Concerns
The southwest flow that seems to have been over the region for days continued today and will linger through Sunday. Visible satellite imagery shows a dense plume of smoke tracking northeast over northern California and into Lake county. This once again has kept a cap on the atmosphere. Temperatures were within a degree or two of Thursday and relative humidity ranged from 20-22 percent. Ridgetop winds remain southwest with gusts 20 to 25 mph.

No changes to the overall pattern of southwest flow over the region again for Saturday. Smoke will remain the biggest challenge of the day. Temperatures will warm a few degrees both Saturday and

Sunday with relative humidity dropping into the mid to upper teens. A weak, but dry weather system will move across the region on Sunday. This will increase the winds with gusts over 30 mph. Strong, gusty winds and low relative humidity will meet Red Flag criteria. The Medford National Weather Service Office issued a Fire Weather Watch. Moisture from tropical Genevieve will move into the area Sunday night resulting in a chance of nocturnal thunderstorms early Monday morning and again Monday night.

Evacuations and Closures
The Fremont-Winema National Forest issued emergency fire closure order 06-02-02-20-01 for the area between Hwy 140 and the Oregon/California Stateline; and from the Forest Boundary on the west to Forest Roads 3610, 3910, 3910-019 to the Forest Boundary and Road 3915 to the Stateline. This emergency order closes the Twin Springs, Willow Creek, and Deep Creek Campgrounds; Crane Mountain and Rogger Meadow Trailheads; the Crane Mountain Trail and the Oregon Timber Trail from the Stateline north to the Camas Sno-Park.

Safety Message
Hwy 140 remains open. Please be aware of increased fire traffic in the fire area, as well as surrounding communities. Slow down and use caution around fire equipment. The team is working with Lake Health District to protect the community from the threat of COVID-19.

During times of heavy smoke, limit outdoor activities, close windows in your home, and use indoor air circulation to reduce your smoke exposure. Learn more: https://go.usa.gov/xfH7p

Crane Fire Details

Cause:
Lightning

Size:
2,474 Acres

Containment:
15%

Location:
10 Miles southeast of Lakeview Oregon.

Resources:
456 Personnel
13 Hand Crews
15 Engines
5 Dozers
6 Tenders
5 Helicopters
1 Aircraft

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