A weather system around 5 p.m. will lead to some cloud buildups and possibly a thunderstorm. The greatest chance for a thunderstorm is east of the Miles, Columbus, Snow Shoe, and Round Top Fires. If a thunderstorm does occur, gusty outflow winds as high as 40 mph are anticipated to make rapidly changing conditions for firefighters.
If dry lightning occurs with this system, there is an increased chance that the team will need to respond to initial attack fires. Today’s weather will be a heads up situation for firefighters on all area fires.
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| Above: Heavy smoke above southwest Oregon wildfires adds to the challenge for aircraft supporting firefighters on the ground. |
Ongoing fires on ODF-protected lands
Miles, Columbus, Snow Shoe and Round Top fires (formerly the South Umpqua Complex/Sugar Pine Fires)
These fires are being managed under unified command by the Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 2 (Incident Commander Doug Turman) and components of Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 3 (Incident Commander Link Smith).
Miles Fire – 31,951 acres, 15% contained
Firefighters made great progress on the fire yesterday. A control line has been completed on the entire southern perimeter of the fire from the northwest to the northeast corners. On the northwest corner, crews will work to hold the fire south of Forest Service Road 1610, mitigating hazard trees and preparing for future burn out operations when conditions permit. On the northeast corner, crews will continue burnout operations along Forest Service Road 6640 and tree fallers will work to cut down hazard trees.
Columbus Fire – 9,685 acres, 18% contained
On the northeast corner of the fire, along the Forest Service Road 160, crews will continue to chip brush along a contingency line. Reducing fuel along these lines allows firefighters an improved chance to hold fire along that edge. Control lines on the western and northern edges of the fire continue to hold well. On the east side of the fire, a contingency line is in place utilizing a burn scar from 2017.
Snow Shoe – 3,816 acres, 96% contained
Round Top – 154 acres, 95% contained
Fireline repair will continue on the perimeter in an effort to mitigate any adverse effects from suppression activities. Any areas of heat near the fire perimeter will be mopped up by engines and crews.
Location: Approximately 5 miles northeast of Trail
Ignition date: July 15, 2018
Cause: Lightning
Acres burned: Combined total of 45,606
Containment: Combined total of 15%
Personnel: 2,193 total for all four fires
More information:
Other fires
Klondike Fire – Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
The Klondike Fire has now become the largest active wildfire in Oregon at over 57,000 acres. It is being managed jointly with the Taylor Creek Fire.
Location: 9 miles northwest of Selma
Ignition date: July 15, 2018
Cause: Lightning
Acres burned: 57,325 acres
Personnel: 608
Containment: 15%
More information:
Taylor Creek Fire – Josephine County
Location: 10 miles west of Grants Pass
Ignition date: July 15, 2018
Cause: Lightning
Acres burned: 49,025 acres
Personnel: 909
Containment: 45%
More information:
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6058/