Joint Information Center (JIC)
[email protected] 541-608-1243 http://swojic.blogspot.com
MIDDAY JIC SUMMARY OVERVIEW
August 30, 2017
Warmer temperatures and drier air today could lead to increased fire activity with the three large Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest fires. Smoke continues to hamper aircraft’s ability to assist ground operations. As visibility improves, aircraft resources will be utilized as needed. It is highly recommended that individuals take precautions from wildfire smoke as air quality varies. Use of masks or NIOSH-certified N95 respirators can be purchased locally at any pharmacy or hardware store. http://jacksoncountyor.org/hhs/General/News-Information/ArtMID/5506/ArticleID/250085/Gu idance-on-Air-Quality-and-Wearing-Masks Area Closure Information: Several large wildfires are burning in southwest Oregon. Area closures have been implemented on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and BLM lands. Find these closures on inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5385/39248/. Use Restrictions are in place for public health and safety: Public Use Restrictions have been increased across the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. No campfires are allowed. Rogue River-Siskiyou NF web page): https://www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou/. Oregon/Washington Firefighters and Support Personnel Statistics: ● There are 9,600 firefighters and support personnel mobilized in Oregon and Washington. ● There are 19,000 firefighters and support personnel mobilized nationwide. ● The largest fire/complex to date in Oregon is the Chetco Bar for a total of 128,738 acres. ● The largest fire/complex to date in Washington is the Silver Dollar at 30,984 acres.
FIRES AT A GLANCE FIRE RESOURCES
CHETCO BAR
MILLER
HIGH CASCADES
TOTAL RESOURCES
Acres
128,738
12,596
25,231
166,565
Personnel
1,477
563
589
2,658
Crews
37
11
16
67
Engines
94
36
24
170
Dozers
17
6
2
27
Water Tenders
25
5
12
40
Helicopters
7
1
7
16
For more information on what the evacuation levels mean, visit: http://www.rvem.org/general-evacuation-information.html See swojic.blogspot.com for the latest information. Chetco Bar Fire Fire Stats: Start Date: July 12, 2017 Cause: Lightning Acres: 125,271 acres Total Personnel: 1,498 Current Situation: National Guard firefighters are joining the effort. They will extinguish hot spots that could potentially threaten containment lines between the fire and Brookings. Firefighters will take advantage of the moderated fire behavior early in the day to construct line in advance of the coming weather. This effort includes fireline construction in the areas at risk near Emily Creek and Hog Mountain. Aircraft will assist crews on the ground as visibility permits. Evacuations: Level 2 and 3 evacuations are in place in Curry County. They are being continually evaluated and adjusted to reflect developing conditions and resource availability. Residents are encouraged to monitor the Evacuation Map for changes. Closure Information: Several large wildfires are burning in southwest Oregon. Area closures have been implemented on the Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest and BLM lands. Fire restrictions are in place. https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts-notices
Chetco Bar
Fire 08/29/17 High Cascades Complex [Active: Branch I (Blanket Creek, Spruce Lake); Branch II (Broken Lookout, Pup, Paradise, Windy Gap. Note: Broken Lookout and Lookout 2 Fires have merged] Fire Stats Cause: Lightning; Sherwood Fire under investigation Complex Size: 25,231 acres Total Personnel: 589 Complex Containment: 36% Current Situation: Today on the Blanket Creek Fire, firefighters will be prepping indirect lines for possible use as containment lines to the northeast of the fire, along Hwy 62 to the east, and along Forest Roads 390 and 382. East of the community of Union Creek, Forest Roads 68 and 6510 will be used for indirect line construction for the Broken Lookout and Windy Gap Fires. At Union Creek, firefighters will continue structure protection efforts which includes creating defensible space, installing hose lays and setting up sprinklers and water pumps. Firefighters will also be implementing tactical burning operations. On Paradise Fire, crews will hold and mop up existing containment lines. Temperatures will be cooler and relative humidity will be higher than in recent days; however, stronger winds are expected later in the day. Wind gusts of 25 to 30 mph could mean very active fire behavior today, with possible spotting ahead of the fires’ leading edges contributing to fire growth. Depending on smoke conditions, aircraft will be available to help slow fire across the Complex. Evacuations: A Level 1 Evacuation Notification (“Be Ready”) has been issued for Union Creek. There have been no changes to the Level 1 Evacuation Notification at Mazama Village in Crater Lake National Park. Closures: The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has removed the area closure west of Spruce Lake Fire. In the Park, the West Rim Drive is closed through Friday afternoon due to construction, not fire activity. Closure information can be found here: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/5503/.
High Cascades Complex PDF 08-30 Miller Complex [A ctive: Branch I (Creedence, Bigelow); Branch II (Burnt Peak); Branch III (Seattle, Abney, Cook, Knox,
Avalanche Cougar). 100% Lined: Steamboat, Lime Gulch; Contained: Border, Foster, Green Valley, Steve Peak, Slick Rock, Bear Wallow, Overview, Whiskey Ridge, Kinney, Lightning Gulch] Public Meetings: Wednesday, August 30, 6 p.m. at the Williams Elementary School, 20691 Williams Hwy. Fire Statistics Start Date: August 14, 2017 Cause: Lightning C omplex Size: 12,596 acres Total Personnel: 563 Complex Containment: 40% Current Situation: Today should be cooler and more humid as a marine front moves through the area; smoke may begin to clear out with its passage. As the smoke inversion lifts, fire activity may increase; however, it may decrease again late in the afternoon with the cooler and wetter conditions brought by the marine front. Unprecedented heat will follow this front in the upcoming days. There is still potential for fire growth on all fires within the complex with continued long-term hot and dry conditions. Evacuations: The Joe Bar area, in California, went under an evacuation order yesterday afternoon. This means that evacuation was necessary in order to protect the lives of area occupants and emergency personnel responding to the incident. The Abney Fire slowly backed down surrounding hills near residences; suppression crews were able to hold all firelines near this community. The following areas are under a Level 1 (Be Ready) Evacuation Notice: ● Palmer Creek Road and Kinney Creek Road (Forest Service Road 1090) ● Both sides of Upper Applegate Road from Palmer Creek Road to the Applegate Dam Spillway (This includes Bolder City) ● Beaver Creek Road ● Carberry Creek Road from Applegate Road up to and including Steamboat Ranch
Miller Complex 08-30 A Southwest Oregon Joint Information Center (JIC) has been established in Medford to serve as a
‘one-stop-shopping’ spot to get information on fires and information related to fires currently burning on federal and state lands. Agencies represented at the JIC include the USDA Forest Service, Oregon
Department of Forestry, Coos Forest Protective Association, Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service.