With Wednesday’s lightning storm failing to spark any new fires, firefighters were able to continue their efforts to gain the upper hand on several fires in southern Oregon. The Fire Weather Watch that had been in place for the southern part of the state today has been removed, even though a slight chance of isolated thunderstorms remains for eastern Oregon. Also aiding fire crews is lingering wildfire smoke providing shade and reducing fire behavior. Fire managers remain cautiously optimistic as suppression objectives are succeeding as planned.
Firefighters are sticking to objectives set early in the suppression effort by minimizing acres burned while providing for public and firefighter safety and protecting all values at risk. Crews remain primed and ready should new fire starts occur in the area, providing initial attack as needed.
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| Above: Smoke from the Miles Fire and others in southern Oregon is providing shade that reduces fire behavior, helping firefighters looking to gain the upper hand and fully contain several wildfires. |
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 – 32,519 acres, 25% contained
Control lines are strengthening as crews continue to douse hotspots from the perimeter deeper into the fire’s interior. With established control lines in place, crews are still working to keep the fire south of Forest Service Road 1610 on the fire’s northwest corner. When appropriate, burnout operations will continue on the northeast corner of the fire, utilizing Forest Service Road 6640 as a secure and improved containment line to work from. Fallers will continue removing hazard trees, or snags, known for spewing fire brands over containment lines that increase the potential of spot fires.
Columbus Fire – 9,762 acres, 22% contained
While much of the east flank of the fire remains open, the fire is smoldering and creeping along the 2017 Broken Lookout Fire burn scar with limited growth potential. Crews are able to work from forest service roads into the interior performing mop-up operations.
Snow Shoe – 3,816 acres, 100% contained
This fire is now considered contained. Some smoldering and light burning may take place within the fire’s interior, but the growth of the fire has been stopped. 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. Salvage logging operations have begun to recover as much of the valued resource as possible while also reducing future bug infestation and wildfire risk. This will be the final update for the Snow Shoe Fire.
Location: Approximately 5 miles northeast of Trail
Ignition date: July 15, 2018
Cause: Lightning
Acres burned: Combined total of 46,251
Containment: Combined total of 25%
Personnel: 2,111
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 59,000 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: 59,105 acres
Personnel: 743
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: 49,695 acres
Personnel: 840
Containment: 52%
More information: