August 16, 2018
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:
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5966/
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:
August 15, 2018
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.
|
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/
August 15, 2018
COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. – The Gowan Road Fire broke out in grass and brush 3 miles east of Cottage Grove late Monday afternoon, Aug. 13. It was stopped at 11 acres the same day and is in mop-up. One outbuilding was destroyed. The cause is under investigation.
Of the 680 wildfires reported to date this year on ODF-protected land, the great majority have been put out at less than 10 acres. So far this year, about 78% of wildfires have been caused by humans. With fire danger at or near record levels this month, caution when outdoors is especially important.
Visit Keep Oregon Green to learn how to protect what you love.
August 13, 2018
THE DALLES, Ore. – The Memaloose # 2 Fire was reported late Friday evening burning on the south side of Interstate 84 near the eastbound Memaloose Rest Area, three miles east of Mosier, burning on lands protected by ODF, Mosier Fire and Rescue, and the USFS Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The fire is now estimated at 167 acres and 50 percent contained. Suppression efforts are focusing on strengthening containment lines and mopping up the interior of the fire. Evacuation levels are decreasing and roads in the area continue re-opening. The fire is being managed under Unified Command with ODF and the USFS-CRGNSA. Cause: under investigation. This will be the final report about this fire on these daily updates unless the situation changes.
New fires reported on ODF-protected lands
There
were no fires 10 acres or larger reported on ODF-protected lands over the past
24 hours.
Ongoing fires on ODF-protected lands
Northeast Oregon District,
Pendleton Unit: The Little Rail Creek Fire, was reported late Friday evening, August 10, burning approximately
12 miles east of Pilot Rock in the Little Rail Creek drainage area. Fire lines
have held and the fire remains today at approximately 1,000 acres and is now 70
percent contained. Resources on the fire today include 3 crews, 4 engines, and 2
helicopters. The cause of this fire is lightning. This will be the final report
about this fire on these daily updates unless the situation changes.
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).
On
the Miles Fire, crews continue to
make progress, including on the southern flank where the fire has twice jumped
the Elk Creek Road. Crews are also working on the northwestern side of the fire
to hold the fire south of the road. Burn-out operations continue today and crews
will also continue work to secure any exterior spotting.
On
the Columbus Fire, control lines on
the western edge at the northern perimeter are holding well. Significant heat
and the majority of perimeter growth yesterday was on the southeast flank of
the fire, with scattered heat throughout most of the interior. Crews are
conducting burn-outs as needed.
Mop-up
and patrol and monitoring continues on the Snow
Shoe and Round Top fires.
Location: Approximately 5 miles northeast of Trail
Ignition date: July 15, 2018
Cause: Lightning
Acres burned/Percent contained: Combined total of approximately
44,489 acres. Miles Fire: 30,974 acres, 10%
contained; Columbus Fire:
9,545 acres, 14% contained; Snow
Shoe Fire: 3,816 acres, 95% contained; Round Top Fire: 154
acres, 95% contained.
Total Personnel: 2,154
More
Information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6112/
Other fires
Taylor Creek Fire – Josephine County
The
Taylor Creek/Klondike Fire
is being managed by the Alaska Incident Management Team (Incident Commander:
Tom Kurth).
There
will be a Klondike Fire Community Meeting at 6 p.m. this evening, August 13, at
the Selma Community & Education Center, 182355 Redwood Highway, Selma, OR.
Location: 10 miles west of Grants Pass
Ignition date: July 15, 2018
Cause: Lightning
Acres burned: Approximately 48,257 acres
Personnel: 1,102
Containment: 45%
More Information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6058/
Klondike Fire – Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
The
Taylor Creek /Klondike Fire is being
managed by the Alaska Incident Management Team (Incident Commander: Tom Kurth).
There
will be a Klondike Fire Community Meeting at 6 p.m. this evening, August 13, at
the Selma Community & Education Center, 182355 Redwood Highway, Selma, OR.
Location: 9 miles northwest of Selma
Ignition date: July 15, 2018
Cause: Lightning
Acres burned: Approximately 55,248 acres
Personnel: 521
Containment: 15%
More Information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5998/
August 7, 2018
The fires in the South
Umpqua Complex/Sugar Pine Fires have been reorganized as
the Miles, Columbus,
Snowshoe and
Round Top fires.
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| Above: Flames at night on the Miles Fire. |
They are being managed under unified command by the
Northern Rockies Team 2 (Turman), the Oregon Department of Forestry Team 1
(Hessel) and Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Red Team (Yocum).
The multiple fires are now organized as follows:
- Miles Fire –
24,709 acres
Firefighters are constructing and improving control lines
on some of the most active fires, which are now collectively called the Miles Fire.
Firefighters continue to improve control lines on this fire to the
northeast of the main Complex, doing mop up and burnouts as needed. The fire is
burning toward a 2017 fire scar, which is providing a good control line.
This has remained within control lines. Fire crews are
pulling hoses today. Frequent patrols will continue.
- Round Top Fire –
154 acres
Firefighters are patrolling this small fire east of the main
Complex to ensure there is no heat near the perimeter.
At least 4 OSFM task forces are assessing and preparing structures
threatened by the fires, of which there are more than
900. Evacuations are in place.
Hotter temperatures this week are expected to contribute to
increased fire behavior in the afternoons. Due to heavy smoke, drivers in the
area are cautioned to drive slowly and with headlights on.
Total acreage for the combined fires, which are roughly 45 miles
southeast of Roseburg, is 37,726 acres. Some 1,707 personnel are
engaged, including 57 crews, 59 fire engines, 15
dozers and 11 helicopters.
Ignition date: July 15, 2018
Cause: Lightning
Acres burned: Combined total of 37,726
Personnel: 1,707
Initial
attack stops fire north of Prineville at 27 acres
A fire 10 miles north of Prineville is reported 100% lined and 100%
contained a day and a half after it was reported. The Allen Creek Fire was reported Sunday
morning burning in grass and brush.
Local resources responded, including four Oregon Department of
Forestry engines, two U.S. Forest Service engines, four hand crews, four
dozers, three water tenders, two single-engine airtankers (SEATs), three heavy
airtankers, and four helicopters.
Crook County Fire and Rescue assisted, providing multiple engines
and a water tender, along with the Crook County Sheriff, who provided
additional personnel. The landowner provided two skidgines and one dozer.
Aggressive initial attack held the fire to about 27
acres. The dozers and skidgines were able to tie in the fire line, and
hose was laid, allowing crews to begin mop up by 7 p.m. Crews will
continue mopping up today with two tenders, three hand crews and two engines.
Cause of the fire is under investigation.
Containment
rises to 60% on the South Valley Fire
 |
Above: An “ash devil” on the South Valley Fire,
a whirlwind carrying ash into the air. |
Firefighters
are mopping up hot spots 75 to 150 feet in from the fire perimeter, of which
there are an estimated 50 miles. Much of the perimeter is cool, with the heat
concentrated north of the Hix and Friend Road areas.
Firefighters
are contending with “ash devils,” whirlwinds created when the
sun heats the ground and creates unstable air. Such whirlwinds can pick up hot embers and carry them over firelines. So firefighters are watching both sides of the firelines alert for any new spot fires.
Ignition date:
Aug. 1, 2018
Cause: Human
Acres burned: 20,026
Personnel: 475
Containment: 60%
Crews
continue mopping up Garner Complex
Crews
are continuing to seek remaining pockets of heat using palm-held infrared
scanners. Any that are found are extinguished. Fire
managers are re-allocating resources to support initial attack on new incidents
near the fire.
Ignition date: July 15, 2018
Cause: Lightning
Acres burned: Estimated at 8,886
Personnel: 894
Containment: 82%
Other recent fires
Taylor
Creek Fire – Josephine County
Burnouts
on the northern perimeter are continuing on Oregon’s largest wildfire in size,
while mop up with Oregon National Guard members continues on the eastern
perimeter. Contingency lines are being prepared along the Peavine and Bear Camp
roads.
Ignition date: July 15, 2018
Cause: Lightning
Acres burned: 39,804
Personnel: 1,568
Containment: 38%
Klondike
Fire – Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
Burnout
operations are continuing to deepen primary control lines. Otherwise, very
little spread north and south on the eastern half of the fire. Monitoring
spread west through wilderness toward the burn scar of last year’s Chetco Bar
Fire. Evacuations and road and area closures are in effect.
Ignition date: July 15, 2018
Cause: Lightning
Acres burned: 28,476
Personnel: 459
Containment: 5%
High to extreme fire danger across Oregon
Find
the latest fire danger levels and restrictions at ODF’s Fire Restrictions and
Closures web page at
https://gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions/PFR.html
