Single Publication

Buck Creek Size: 5,542 acres | Reported Date: September 7 | Cause: Lightning   |  Containment: 0%
Bowman Well  Size: 2,853 acres | Reported Date: September 6 | Cause: Lightning   |   Containment: 95%
Total Resources Personnel: 659 | Crews: 17 |  Engines: 33 | Water Tenders: 15 | Heavy Equipment: 14 |  Helicopters: 8

(Silver Lake, Ore.) – The Buck Creek Fire started in heavy timber on the Fremont-Winema National Forest about 11 miles southwest of Silver Lake, Ore. in a semi-primitive area of the Forest with limited road access. The Bowman Well Fire has been burning in sage brush, grass and juniper on lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management about 3 miles northwest of Christmas Valley, Ore. Crews continue to make good progress on the Buck Creek Fire and containment on the Bowman Well Fire has reached 95%. Public and firefighter safety remain the top priority on these incidents

Buck Creek:  Yesterday, warmer and drier conditions led to creeping and backing fire behavior on the east edge. Day and night shift firefighters mopped up hot spots to secure completed dozer line along the north flank and around Rodman Rock on the northwest corner of the fire. Dozer operators made progress accessing Buck Ridge to install direct line on the west edge of the fire. Felling crews dropped snags and other hazardous trees to provide safer conditions for those working along the roads. Dozer line was extended along the eastern edge of the fire and around spots caused by the extreme fire activity on September 10; helicopter bucket drops aided firefighters with this work.  On the southwest edge of the fire, a twenty-person crew was flown in to bolster the efforts of six smoke jumpers who have been installing hand line and hose lays in the southern Bridge Creek area since the fire started. 

Today, crews will improve a portion of the Blue Buck Trail (within the Yamsay Mountain semi-primitive area) to provide access for medical evacuation and crew support. Improving this trail will also make it easier for firefighters to install direct fire line along the south and west flanks at locations with the highest probability of success. To support mop-up activities, crews are setting up pumps and installing hoses along constructed lines. As a cold front moves into the area this afternoon, fire activity may increase where winds align with terrain. Aviation resources remain available to assist as visibility allows. 

Bowman Well:  Yesterday, there was minimal fire activity with no threat to established containment lines. Firefighters patrolled and identified places needing suppression repair and road grading. As containment increases, excess firefighting resources are being shifted to the Buck Creek Fire.

Evacuations: In coordination with fire managers, the Lake County Sheriff has established evacuations for the Buck Creek Fire. All evacuations for the Bowman Well Fire have been lifted. Go to www.lakecountyor.orgfor details about evacuation levels. 

Weather: Like Friday, today’s maximum temperature is predicted to be in the mid 70s with minimum humidity in the 20s. A cold front is expected to arrive today with westerly wind gusts up to 20 mph.

Safety: Firefighting equipment and personnel, and livestock are present on local roads. Fire managers ask the public to drive attentively and to remain clear of the fire areas. The public also plays an important role in preventing the next wildfire by using caution with all ignition sources. For prevention tips visit, https://keeporegongreen.org. Current fire danger is extreme and restrictions are in place within the Fremont-Winema National Forest. More information can be found at: 

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/fremont-winema/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1188568 

Closures: A forest closure order is in effect for the area around the Buck Creek Fire. For the complete order and map, go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/fremont-winema .  Christmas Valley Airport is being used as the helibase for fire operations and is temporarily closed to general aviation. A temporary flight restriction remains in place over the Buck Creek Fire. 

Smoke:  Smoke from multiple fires around the region is affecting air quality. For more information on smoke conditions and strategies on limiting exposure, go to: www.oregonsmoke.org or www.AirNow.gov.