Wildfire Update: High Cascades Complex [Video]

*** VIDEO - Chipping Efforts on the High Cascades Complex East Zone - AUDIO CAUTION - No audio with the exception of a loud chainsaw. (Inciweb) ***

Summary: Crews continued chipping away on repair efforts; increasing repair completion to 43 percent. Aerial operations assisted firefighters by shuttling crews and supplies into difficult to reach areas. While a warm and dry weather trend continued, high clouds prevented major temperature increases. Lingering snow remained a hurdle to repair operations but continued to slow remaining fire activity. Fire perimeters have little potential for movement. Grading operations are progressing smoothly as heavy equipment operator continue to overhaul roads impacted by operations.

North Pelican (27% repair complete): Crews cleaned the trailhead at the end of Cold Springs Road leading into the wilderness. Chipping is expected to continue on the North Pelican for the next several days to remove excess slash along the roads. In addition to hand work, three excavators will repair access roads surrounding the fire.

Blanket Creek Fire (45% repair complete): Firefighters finished much of the rehab work on the southeastern edge of the fire perimeter. Heavy equipment operators will continue scouting the dozer lines closer to Mazama Village to develop a timeline for repairs. The protective material surrounding the Honeymoon Cabin is expected to be removed today.

Spruce Lake Fire (62% repair complete): Air operations provided major assistance to crews on the Spruce Lake Fire by transporting 4,350 pounds of cargo to the Hotshot Crew repairing handline. A crew working in the backcountry is expected to reach the West Rim Road tomorrow.

Closures: Fire closures remain on public lands within some hunting units. Check trail, road, and area closures on InciWeb, park and forest websites. West Rim Drive in Crater Lake National Park remains closed for scheduled maintenance and repaving through Friday at 4 p.m.

Weather: The warming and drying trend should continue through Thursday when highs will reach the mid-70s and daytime relative humidity will drop to 30% or less. Long-range forecasts suggest a renewed wetter pattern by early next week.

Traffic: Expect possible delays on Highway 230 between Union Creek and the junction with Highway 138 due to road construction. In Crater Lake National Park, heavy construction traffic may bring delays near North Junction.

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Wildfire Update: High Cascades Complex [Video]

Suppression repair for the High Cascades Complex East Zone picked up substantially with the warmer and drier weather. Firefighters removed over 20,000 feet of hose within the Blanket Creek and North Pelican Fires. Removal of additional water pumps and hoses will continue over the next few days.

On September 22, the East Zone flew an infrared mapping of the complex, which showed very few pockets of heat. The majority of heat signatures were scattered well within the interior of the three fires. Current weather forecast and an analysis completed by the incident’s fire behavior analyst does not suggest any significant fire spread in the East Zone in the coming week.

The management team continues to assess the situation and employ the right tools to complete needed suppression repair work. Equipment and crews best suited for the job will continue to work on repair. Handcrews will be used to repair handline and clean blocked culverts impacted by the fires, mitigating future erosion and water issues.

Improved weather conditions allowed for increased air operations. Helicopters logged a combined 5.4 hours of flight time and ferried 58 passengers and 4,200 pounds of cargo, largely to the Spruce Lake Fire.

A community briefing in Rocky Point was attended by 20 people and focused largely on area closures and firewood availability as a result of the suppression operation.

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Radio Communication Site at Watchman Peak
Communication personnel fix the communication tower at Watchman Peak Lookout after it blew down due to 40-50 mph gusts of winds (Inciweb)

Similar repair work reported yesterday will continue on the North Pelican, Blanket Creek and Spruce Lake Fires. Acreage and containment remains unchanged. North Pelican (3,589 acres, 73% contained), Blanket Creek (33,322 acres, 23% contained) and Spruce Lake (15,826 acres and 22% contained).

Closures: Although modified, some area and road closures remain in place. South of the Middle Fork of the Rogue River and the South Fork 3703 trail closures have been lifted. Current closure information is available online at:https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5503. West Rim Drive in Crater Lake National Park remained closed for plowing and inspection after last week’s snowy weather.

The Rim Visitor Center will close for the season today. The Mazama Cabins, Campground and Annie Creek Restaurant and Gift Shop will close at noon on Monday Sept. 25. Motorists and visitors to the area need to be aware of delays on Highway 230 between Union Creek and the junction with Highway 138 due to road construction.

Video - Aerial video of the High Cascades Complex East. (NO AUDIO)
Aerial Video taken 09.22.2017 for the High Cascades Complex East Zone (Inciweb)

Wildfire Update: High Cascades Complex

*** Rain and SNOW has fallen on the fires ***

Placing downed vegitation on a dozer line during rehab helps with errosion and reforestation of the disturbed area. (inciweb)

Summary: The High Cascades Complex East Zone received significant rain and snow over the Spruce Lake, Blanket Creek and North Pelican Fires. Moisture reduced fire activity and the threat to Rim Village, Park Headquarters, Munson Valley, West Rim Drive, Mazama Village and the south entrance. However, weather posed challenges to resources working on the line. Poor visibility and wet roads prevented some crews from engaging in operations. “We are able to use this time to develop solid repair plans and set priorities for future operations,” said Tim Roide, Incident Commander for the East Zone.

Inclement weather prevented aerial observations but managers do not anticipate any change in fire perimeter over the next several days. New acreage and containment percentages will be available when weather clears. Drier conditions are expected this weekend, which will provide fire managers a precursory view into potential fire activity for the rest of the season.

The Rogue River-Siskiyou reduced campfire restrictions and the Fremont-Winema National Forest lowered its Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) to IFPL-2. Public Use Restrictions have been rescinded on BLM, Forest Service and National Fish & Wildlife protected lands.

Weather: Heavy rainfall is expected today with gusts of 40-50 mph along ridgelines. There is potential for snow levels to drop below 5500 feet.

Closures: Area closures remain in effect but will be evaluated and reconsidered as weather continues to hamper fire activity. A number of area road and trail closures are in place. For specific closure information, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5503. The North Entrance Road and East Rim Drive were closed yesterday due to weather. Park visitors are urge to check conditions before making plans as snow is expected at higher elevations today and Thursday. The West Rim Drive is closed until Friday at 4:00 p.m. due to construction. All concession facilities and services remain open for visitors to the Park. Motorists and visitors to the area also need to be aware of delays on Highway 230 between Union Creek and the junction with Highway 138 due to road construction.

A Level 1 Evacuation Notification remains in effect for Mazama Village in Crater Lake National Park. Level 1 is the first step in the “Be Ready, Be Set, Go!” system. For more information about evacuation levels and procedures, go to http://tinyurl.com/BeReady-BeSet-Go

Large Interagency Wildfires [Map]

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*** A follow up to a story we brought you an hour ago (http://bit.ly/2fwUd3L). Even with rains reducing fire restrictions, fire season is still in full effect. ***

The rain and cooler weather are a welcome change for #ORFireSeason2017, offering some help to firefighters across the #PNW.

However, as you can see from the updated map below, it will take more than a few days of rain to end this challenging season.

Please check and follow your local fire restrictions before burning those debris piles or campfires. Support our firefighters by preventing future wildfires.
https://gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions/PFR.html

Due to Rains National Forest Districts Reduce Fire Restrictions

ROGUE RIVER SISKIYOU NF & ODF REDUCES TO STAGE 2 RESTRICTIONS
September 18, 2017

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: With Arrival of Rainy Weather, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Decreases Campfire Restrictions

As stormy weather brings much-needed rain to all areas across southwestern Oregon, the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is reducing the level of restrictions that apply to campfires across the Forest. Effective immediately, the RRSNF moves to Stage 2 restrictions, Forest-wide.

Campfires: Stage 2 Restrictions allow the building of campfires only in Forest Service-constructed fire rings made of concrete or metal and located in designated recreation sites. Please see the list and maps of recreation sites. The use of propane or liquid fuel-powered commercial stoves is also permitted. 

Smoking: Smoking is allowed only in vehicles, buildings and designated recreation sites, in areas clear of vegetation measuring at least 3 feet in diameter, or aboard watercraft on waterways.

Internal Combustible Engines: Operating an internal combustible engine is only allowed in designated parking area or on a motor vehicle on open Forest roads. Other exemptions include:
• While aboard watercraft, moving or at rest, on waterways.
• The use of generators in designated recreation sites.

Welding and Torches: Welding or the operating of an acetylene torch or other torch with an open flame is prohibited.

With fires still active across the RRSNF, area closures are still effective in various areas, including (but not limited to) the Sky Lakes and Red Buttes Wildernesses, the RRSNF-administered portion of the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness, and the Prospect OHV Trail System. A list of area closures is available on the RRSNF Fire Information Page.

Visitors to the Forest are encouraged to continue to be cautious with fire while in the woods. Forest officials remind recreationists to never abandon a campfire, always ensuring that an extinguished campfire is cool to the touch.

For more information and to see the full text of the Forest, including a list of designated recreation sites where campfires are permitted, visithttp://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts-notices.

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MODERATE FIRE DANGER LEVEL & IFPL II TAKE EFFECT

Rain Decreases both Public and Industrial Fire Restrictions

The recent rain and cooler temperatures have made it possible to decrease fire restrictions across southwest Oregon. Effective immediately, the fire danger level on ODF Southwest Oregon District protected lands in Jackson and Josephine counties will lower to “moderate” (blue). 

In addition, fire prevention measures for logging, non-logging industrial operations, and all other commercial operations will lessen. Industrial Fire Precaution Level II (two) takes effect today.

These regulations affect 1.8 million acres of state, private, county, city and Bureau of Land Management lands protected by ODF’s Southwest Oregon District. 

As a reminder, public fire restrictions which will remain in effect, include:
• No debris burning, including piles and debris burned in burn barrels.

• No fireworks on forestlands.

• Exploding targets and tracer ammunition, or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base, are prohibited.

• Campfires are allowed only in designated campgrounds. Portable stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels may be used in other locations.

• Motorized vehicles are allowed only on improved roads; one shovel and one gallon of water, or one 2.5 pound or larger fire extinguisher, is required while traveling.

• Smoking while traveling will only be allowed in enclosed vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water and other specifically designated locations.

• Chain saws may not be used between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. during moderate fire danger. During hours outside of this time frame, chain saws may be used but require that the operator have one shovel and one 8-oz or larger fire extinguisher at the work site. A fire watch is also required for one hour after each chainsaw use.

• Cutting, grinding, and welding of metal is not allowed between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. during moderate fire danger. These activities will be allowed during hours outside of this time frame only if the work site is cleared of potentially flammable vegetation and other materials, and a water supply is at the job site.

• The mowing of dead or dried grass with power-driven equipment is not allowed between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. during moderate fire danger. This restriction does not include mowing of green lawns, or equipment used for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops.

• Any other spark-emitting internal combustion engine-use not specifically mentioned is not allowed between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. during moderate fire danger. Use of any spark-emitting internal combustion engine is allowed outside of this time frame only if the work site is cleared of potentially flammable vegetation and other materials, and a water supply is at the job site.

• Any electric fence controllers must be approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc., or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services, and be installed and used in compliance with the fence controller’s instructions for fire safe operation.

Under IFPL II (Two) – limited shutdown, which is entirely separate from all public fire restrictions, the following may operate after 8 p.m. and up until 1 p.m. daily:

• Power saws, except at loading sites.
• Feller-bunchers with rotary head saws.
• Cable yarding.
• Blasting.
• Welding, cutting, or grinding of metal.

Fire season information is also available online at our Facebook page @ODFSouthwest and our website: www.swofire.com.

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South Central Oregon precaution levels lowered to IFPL 2

LAKEVIEW, Ore. – As of Tuesday morning, the South Central Oregon fire danger level will be reduced from extreme to high due to changing weather conditions.

Effective September 19, 2017 at 12:01 a.m. the Fremont-Winema National Forest, Lakeview District BLM and Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex have lowered the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) to IFPL- 2 and Public Use Restrictions will be rescinded on BLM, Forest Service and National Fish & Wildlife protected lands.

Although fire danger is decreasing, conditions are still dry. Due to these conditions we ask the public to be careful with anything that can throw a spark, careless ignitions have the potential to start new wildfires. Also, make sure campfires are completely out and cold to the touch before leaving while out recreating or hunting.

Information on current Public Use Restrictions and IFPL can be obtained by calling the Lakeview Interagency Fire Center at 541-947-6259 or visiting:http://scofmp.org/index.shtml

For information on specific restrictions in areas under ODF’s fire protection, please visithttp://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Fire/Pages/Restrictions.aspx.

The South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership is an interagency fire management program that provides comprehensive wildland fire service to south central Oregon and northwest Nevada. The partnership strives to achieve a more efficient, effective and integrated interagency fire management program for all participating agencies on the lands administered and protected by each agency.

Participating agencies include: Fremont-Winema National Forest, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lakeview District, Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Crater Lake National Park and Klamath-Lake District Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF).

For more information, contact Fire Information Officer Sarah Saarloos with the South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership at 541-219-0515 or ssaarloos@fs.fed.us. Daily wildfire information, maps and social media links can be found at SCOFMP Blog: http://bit.ly/2sK5YH

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Fire Information Staff
South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership

For more prescribed/wildland fire information, maps, and updates:

• Facebook: http://bit.ly/2qsw4C7
• Twitter: http://bit.ly/2q40L0X
• Inciweb: http://bit.ly/2pzTCSv
• SCOFMP Blog: http://bit.ly/2sOBXai
• FLICKR: http://bit.ly/2sGyBJG
• LIFC SITE: http://bit.ly/2s4vprt
• YouTube: http://bit.ly/2t6R1nP

Wildfire Update - High Cascades Complex, East Zone

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The High Cascades Complex East Zone includes the Spruce Lake, Blanket Creek, and North Pelican fires. A dry cold front is moving into the area today with cooler conditions and gusty winds up to 15 miles per hour. The cooler temperatures and abundant sun will remain through the weekend with low temperatures down to freezing. Smoke plumes may be visible due to lower relative humidity but expected fire growth will be minimal.

🔥 Spruce Lake Fire (15,789 acres and 27% contained) The fire showed minimal fire behavior as crews continue to strengthen the fire lines. Chipping operation will be completed today.

🔥 Blanket Creek Fire (31,632 acres and 20% contained) Crews continue to hold and strengthen containment lines to the north and east. Structure protection continues as we assess the values at risk in Mazama Village in Crater Lake National Park. The northwest side of the fire is nearing containment. Crews will be looking to perform burn out operations with the expected weather conditions on the east end of the fire.

🔥 North Pelican (3,589 acres and 25% contained) Crews continue to work to the north building containment lines on the fires perimeter pushing the fire into the wilderness. Crews are also working with heavy equipment to expand indirect line.

A Level 1 Evacuation Notification remains in effect for Mazama Village in Crater Lake National Park. Level 1 is the first step in the “Be Ready, Be Set, Go!” system. For more information about evacuation levels and procedures, go to http://tinyurl.com/BeReady-BeSet-Go.

Closure Information: As a result of the fires in the High Cascades Complex, a number of area road and trail closures are in place within Crater Lake National Park, Rogue River-Siskiyou, Umpqua, and Fremont-Winema National Forests. More road and trail closures may go into effect as the fires progress. For specific closure information, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5503.

The North Entrance Road to Crater Lake National Park remains closed. West Rim Drive will reopen on Friday at 4:00 pm. All concession facilities and services remain open for visitors to the Park. Motorists and visitors to the area also need to be aware of delays on Hwy 230 between Union Creek and the junction with Highway 138 due to road construction.

Smoke Outlook: A full smoke forecast can be viewed at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5503. To see visibility at Crater Lake National Park, check out the webcams at https://www.nps.gov/crla/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm.

Location: High Cascades Ranger District, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, Klamath Ranger District, Fremont-Winema National Forest, Crater Lake National Park

Start Date: 
• North Pelican August 10, 2017, 
• Spruce Lake July 29, 2017, 
• Blanket Creek July 26, 2017

Cause: Lightning

Size: 51,010 Acres

Percent Contained: 16% (% encompasses total of both East and West zone of the complex excluding Spruce Lake fire from the Complex)

Vegetation: timber, brush, heavy logging slash

Resources Assigned: 845 personnel (Personnel for the entire complex)

Incident Commander: Steve Millert/Dave Gesser with the Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 3

U.S. Forest Service - Fremont-Winema National Forest
U.S. Forest Service- Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
U.S. Forest Service - Umpqua National Forest
Crater Lake National Park
South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership - SCOFMP
Bureau of Land Management
Rocky Point Fire & Ems
#SpruceLakeFire
#BlanketCreekFire
#NorthPelicanFire
#HighCascadesComplexEast
#HighCascadesComplex