Containment increases to 42% on Rum Creek Fire
MERLIN, Ore. – Despite the heat and rugged terrain, firefighters on the Rum Creek Fire continue to make progress. Containment has increased to 42%, with most edges of the fire mopped up at least 75 feet inside fire lines. The tactical firing operation on the ridge between Rum Creek and Montgomery Creek went well, with fire backing down both sides of the ridge. Fire personnel continue to monitor this and other areas, watching for flare-ups and spot fires.

Overnight, the fire stayed within the containment lines despite high temperatures, low relative humidity and gusty winds. Today, temperatures will continue to be high, triggering a Heat Advisory from the National Weather Service (NWS). The heat can expose hidden hot spots and can take a toll on fire personnel. Heat-related illnesses such as dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are a concern for firefighters.

Before a section of fire line can be described as “contained” crews complete many steps. They construct miles of fire lines, many on slopes too steep for dozers. They assemble hose lays around fires, carrying hoses, fittings, portable pumps, and fuel cans to where they are needed. When the timing is right, they conduct tactical burns, lighting fuels on the ground with drip torches to maintain a low-intensity burn. They watch for spot fires and jump on embers that cross the fire line and cause flare-ups. Lastly, they mop up residual heat by gridding along miles of fire edge, sometimes digging out burning roots several feet underground.

A few isolated storm cells are passing through the area today, bringing scattered lightning and minimal rain. The incident meteorologist will monitor for any cells that may impact the fire vicinity. Thunderstorms may bring gusty, erratic winds, but rain is unlikely to make it past the tree canopy. NWS has issued a Fire Weather Watch for Thursday afternoon and evening, for strong gusty winds and low relative humidity.

There was no infrared mapping flight yesterday to update the acreage.

Oregon Department of Forestry Team 1 and Northern Rockies Team 6 are in unified command of the Rum Creek Fire.

This morning, resources under the Office of Oregon State Fire Marshal demobilized from the Rum Creek Fire and returned local structural fire response to Rural Metro Fire. Firefighters increased containment, which has reduced risk to homes. Over 500 structure protection assessments were completed in the vicinity and OSFM thanks the community for their work to support these efforts and improve preparedness for the future.

Evacuations: Existing evacuation orders and notifications remain in place. An interactive map showing evacuation levels according to address can be found at //JosephineCounty.gov/FireMap. For the most current evacuation information and resources, go to Josephine County Incident Information (rvem.org).

Road control: Josephine County Sheriff’s Office has established traffic access points around the fire zone. Road blocks are located at Galice Road near Crow Road; Galice Store; Bear Camp Road at Peavine (top intersection); Lower Grave Creek Road at Angora Creek (Grays Ranch); Quartz Creek Road about 3 miles up (end of County maintenance); Dutch Henry Road near Kelsey Creek (42 44'56.2/123 40'35.4); and Hog Creek at Galice Road. The National Guard is staffing the roadblocks. Only residents (must show proof of residency) and permitted users will be allowed through.

River status: The Wild section of the Rogue River below Grave Creek will remain open unless fire conditions warrant closure. River status is determined on a day-to-day basis. Please call 541-471-6535 for more information regarding Rogue River permits. No new boating permits will be issued at this time.

Rum Creek Fire stays calm today 

MERLIN, Ore. – The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning today due to high temperatures and low relative humidity, which ended at 8 p.m. A Heat Advisory extends until 11 p.m. Wednesday, with more hot weather expected later in the week. As of 6 p.m., gusts were recorded up to 15 mph on the ridgetops in the fire, with stronger winds recorded nearby.

With high temperatures, low relative humidity, and some gusty winds, the Rum Creek Fire burned actively today. On the northwest part of the fire towards the Rogue River, firefighters found and suppressed a few small spot fires. The rest of the fire stayed within the containment lines.

The northwest corner near Montgomery Creek and the Rogue River has large unburned pockets of fuels, creating a potential for fire to flare up and make a push toward containment lines. To reduce the chance of this, fire personnel plan to do a tactical burn this evening. They will ignite an interior ridgeline, expecting the fire to walk down the slopes. By mid-day tomorrow, when fire activity increases, much of this area should be burned and cooling down.

Day and night shift firefighters are monitoring the fire, watching for flames to move into crowns of trees and spread embers. Ember showers pose a threat of igniting spot fires outside containment lines. Fire personnel cool flare-ups, using aerial resources if needed. They continue to conduct thorough mop up near structures and on the fire’s perimeter. In areas with scattered heat, increased fire activity helped crews locate residual heat. Some hidden hot spots begin to smoke, helping fire personnel locate and extinguish them.

Due to reduced threats to structures near the Rum Creek Fire, Oregon’s Office of State Fire Marshal Blue Team and remaining structural resources are completing their assignment here. On Wednesday they will be reassigned to other fires or return to their home units.

Today, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 6 (NRIMT6) assumed command of the Rum Creek Fire at 6 p.m. They shadowed Northwest Incident Management Team 13 (NWIMT13) for the day to ensure a smooth transfer of knowledge and resources. NWIMT13 thanks the community for their support during this fire. Oregon Department of Forestry IMT 1 will continue to manage the fire in a unified command with NRIMT6.

Evacuations: Existing evacuation orders and notifications remain in place. An interactive map showing evacuation levels according to address can be found at //JosephineCounty.gov/FireMap. For the most current evacuation information and resources, go to Josephine County Incident Information (rvem.org).

River status: The Wild section of the Rogue River below Grave Creek will remain open unless fire conditions warrant closure. River status is determined on a day-to-day basis. Please call 541-471-6535 for more information regarding Rogue River permits. No new boating permits will be issued.

Road control: Josephine County Sheriff’s Office has established traffic access points around the fire zone. Road blocks are located at Galice Road near Crow Road; Galice Store; Bear Camp Road at Peavine (top intersection); Lower Grave Creek Road at Angora Creek (Grays Ranch); Quartz Creek Road about 3 miles up (end of County maintenance); Dutch Henry Road near Kelsey Creek (42 44'56.2/123 40'35.4); and Hog Creek at Galice Road. The National Guard is staffing the roadblocks. Only residents (must show proof of residency) and permitted users will be allowed through

El Incendio Rum Creek, nuevamente pondrá a prueba la labor ardua de nuestros bomberos

MERLIN, Ore. – El Servicio Nacional para el Clima, ha emitido una advertencia de Bandera roja para la tarde del martes en el área del Incendio Rum Creek. Esta advertencia significa que las condiciones críticas del incendio están ocurriendo ahora o se presentaran en las próximas horas. Se predicen altas temperaturas, ráfagas de viento y baja humedad relativa. Dichas condiciones, pueden causar incendios, así como producir una rápida propagación del fuego.

Tomando en cuenta estos cambios climáticos, los bomberos han estado trabajando agresivamente en el enfriamiento y en la contención del incendio. El jefe de la Sección de Operaciones, Mike Carlson, ha descrito la situación en el Incendio, con estas palabras: “Hemos trazado una línea alrededor del incendio y así queremos mantenerlo”.

En la noche de ayer, los bomberos concluyeron la última operación de tácticas de quema controlada, uniendo la línea oeste desde Mount Peavine hasta el Rogue River. Los bomberos han encontrado y asegurado pequeñas zonas inclinadas en esta sección del incendio. Algunas áreas aisladas que aún no se habían quemado dentro de los drenajes de Rum Creek y Montgomery Creek, al momento presentan una actividad incendiaria. Los expertos en Incendios (Hotshots) y miembros de Crane Calley, estarán trabajando y acampando cerca de áreas remotas con la finalidad de monitorear el incendio y suprimir cualquier surgimiento del fuego o espacios de emanación de calor, tanto como sea necesario. En caso de que sea necesario, este trabajo es apoyado por la fuerza aérea para irrigar el área y dejar caer retardantes de fuego.

Los bomberos continúan limpiando espacios remanentes de emanación de calor cercanos a todas las líneas del Incendio. El objetivo es mantener una parte fría sobre el terreno adyacente a la línea de fuego con mínimos residuos de material de combustión que podrían acarrear fuego más allá de las líneas de contención. Además, si el tiempo lo permite, el equipo de bomberos seguirá limpiando con más profundidad a lo largo de los ejes, para reducir la posibilidad de que el fuego se escape del área contenida.

Los aviones asistiendo a los bomberos en el terreno, han logrado enfriar algunos surgimientos de fuego en áreas calientes cercanas a los ejes del Incendio, especialmente en zonas inaccesibles para los camiones de bomberos y localizados lejos de las fuentes de agua. En ciertas áreas, retardadores de incendio fueron derramados en las afueras de las líneas de incendio para reducir la posibilidad del surgimiento del fuego fuera del perímetro planeado. Algunas veces, las operaciones aéreas son limitadas debido a la poca visibilidad provocada por la presencia del humo.

Grupos de trabajo de la oficina Estatal en Oregon para el Alguacil de Incendios, continúan eliminando espacios de emanación de calor cercanos a estructuras, cortando arboles peligrosos y patrullando las áreas a lo largo de Galice Road. Este grupo esta disponible para apoyar en otros incendios si es necesario.

El lunes, el personal de incendio encontró una estructura comercial quemada y otra estructura menor en el mismo estado.

Tamaño: 20,029 acres Estructuras dañadas: 2 viviendas, 6 estructuras adicionales Contenido: 34%

Recursos disponibles: 1,840 Línea Informativa: 541-625-0849 https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8348/

Evacuaciones: https://tinyurl.com/JOCOEvacMap https://www.facebook.com/rumcreekfire2022

El día de hoy, El Grupo de bomberos Northern Rockies Team 6 (NRIMT6) para el Manejo de Incident estará relevando al grupo increíble de Bomberos Northwest IMT 13 (NWIMT13), que se encuentra preparándose para transferir y sin ningún problema, el comando del Incendio Rum Creek del cual fueron responsables hasta este momento. El día de mañana, NRIMT6 asumirá el manejo del fuego del lado Oeste del Incendio Rum Creek.

El grupo de bomberos del Departamento forestal de Oregon, Team 1 (ODF1) continuara manejando el lado este del incendio, operando bajo un comando unificado junto con NRIMT6.

Evacuaciones: Las ordenes de evacuación y notificaciones siguen vigentes. Para información acerca los niveles de evacuación de acuerdo a su localidad, se ha creado un mapa activo que puede encontrarse en: //JosephineCounty.gov/FireMap.

Para información actualizada de evacuación y de los recursos disponibles, visite: Josephine County Incident Information (rvem.org).

Control del tráfico: La oficina del Alguacil de la ciudad de Josephine ha establecido puntos de acceso para el tráfico alrededor de la zona del incendio. Se colocaron obstáculos de camino en Galice Road cerca de Crow Road; Galice Store; Bear Camp Road en Peavine (parte superior de la intersección); Lower Grave Creek Road en Angora Creek (Grays Ranch); Quartz Creek Road cerca de 3 millas de carretera (al final de la Carretera con mantenimiento); Dutch Henry Road cerca de Kelsey Creek (42 44'56.2/123 40'35.4); y Hog Creek en Galice Road. La Guardia Nacional se encuentra resguardando las áreas bloqueadas. Solamente podrán pasar los residentes (con dirección de la vivienda) y personas con permiso.

Condición del Rio: La sección de tierras vírgenes de Rogue River debajo de Grave Creek, permanecerá abierto a menos que las condiciones del incendio ameriten una orden de cierre del área. Las condiciones del rio son determinadas día a día. Para más información acerca de los permisos para navegar el rio, por favor llame al 541-471-6535. Por el momento, no se estarán asignando permisos del rio

Rum Creek Fire will be tested again

MERLIN, Ore. – The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Tuesday afternoon and evening for the Rum Creek Fire area. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. The forecast calls for high temperatures, gusty winds and low relative humidity. These conditions may cause a fire to flare up, and promote rapid spread of fire.

In advance of this weather change, firefighters have worked aggressively to cool and contain the fire. Operations Section Chief Mike Carlson describes the fire’s status as: “We’ve got a line around it and we want to keep it there.”

Crews completed the last of the planned tactical firing operations Sunday night, tying the west line from Mount Peavine to the Rogue River. Firefighters have found small slop-overs in this section, and are securing these. Unburned islands in the Rum Creek and Montgomery Creek drainages continue to burn actively. Members of the Crane Valley Hotshots will be working and camping near this remote area to monitor the fire and suppress flare-ups or spot fires as needed. This includes calling in aerial drops of water and retardant if needed.

Firefighters continue to mop up residual heat near all fire lines. The goal is to have a cold strip of ground adjacent to the fire line with minimal residual fuel to carry fire past containment lines. Firefighters are mopping up, adding depth along the edges, as time permits to reduce the chance of fire escaping.

Water drops from aircraft are cooling flare-ups and hot areas near the fire’s edges, especially in areas not accessible by engines and far from streams. Retardant was dropped outside the fire lines in some areas to reduce the chance of spot fires outside the planned perimeter. At times, air operations have been restricted by limited visibility due to smoke.

Office of State Fire Marshal resources continue to mop up remaining hot spots near structures, cut hazard trees, and patrol areas along Galice Road. They are available to assist with other fire duties as needed.

Monday, fire personnel found one burned commercial structure and one additional minor structure.

Today, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 6 (NRIMT6) will be shadowing Northwest IMT 13 (NWIMT13), preparing for transfer of command of the Rum Creek Fire to ensure a smooth transition. NRIMT6 will assume management of the west side of the Rum Creek Fire tomorrow. Oregon Department of Forestry Team 1 (ODF1) will continue to manage the east side of the fire, operating under a unified command with NRIMT6.

Evacuations: Existing evacuation orders and notifications remain in place. An interactive map showing evacuation levels according to address can be found at //JosephineCounty.gov/FireMap. For the most current evacuation information and resources, go to Josephine County Incident Information (rvem.org).

Los bomberos cerraron operaciones de tácticas de quema sobre Rum Creek

MERLIN, Ore. – Los bomberos del turno al anochecer, pasaran la noche monitoreando y limpiando a partir de la última operación de tácticas de quemas sobre el Incendio Rum Creek.

Crews wrap up tactical firing operations on Rum Creek

MERLIN, Ore. – Night shift crews will spend tonight monitoring and mopping up from the last planned tactical firing operations on the Rum Creek Fire.

 Los Bomberos se preparan para un periodo seco ventoso

MERLIN, Ore. –  El día de mañana, las condiciones climáticas pondrán a prueba la labor de los bomberos. Los manejadores del incidente, se sentirán más confiados de que el fuego no se escape de las líneas de fuego en el incendio, si este se mantiene sobre las huellas dejadas por incidentes pasados. El día de mañana el incendio de Rum Creek se encontrará bajo un Heines 6, el cual es el nivel más alto en el índice. Esto nos indica el potencial más elevado para un crecimiento rápido del incendio. Además, para horas tempranas de la tarde y en el atardecer del martes, el Servicio Nacional del Clima, ha emitido una Vigilancia meteorológica del fuego en el área del Incendio Rum Creek. El pronóstico del tiempo está avisando altas temperaturas, ráfagas de vientos y una humedad relativa baja.

Haines Index, es una herramienta usada para estimar el efecto del medioambiente seco y la estabilidad en el potencial del crecimiento del incendio. Cuando el medio ambiente es inestable, las condiciones del viento permiten la presencia de una mezcla del aire cerca del terreno acompañado de aires elevados en la atmosfera. Esta mezcla, provee un amplio aire fresco que permite que el incendio se queme libremente y aumente de tamaño rápidamente y al mismo tiempo, desarrollando columnas de humo. Es muy posible que con estas condiciones la actividad del fuego se incremente o cruce las líneas del incendio.

Tomando en cuenta estos cambios climáticos, los bomberos se encuentran trabajando agresivamente con el fin de contener la mayor parte del incendio. En la noche del día de ayer, los bomberos lograron completar la última táctica de las operaciones de quema controlada al oeste del incendio. Lograron conectar líneas desde el norte de Mount Peavine hacia el Rogue River. Se están monitoreando, cuidadosamente, áreas extensas que no han sido quemadas y localizadas entre esta línea primaria y el eje del fuego natural en el drenaje de Rum Creek. En este momento, el incendio está quemándose de una manera estable a través de esta área y existen posibilidades de que el fuego atraviese las líneas primarias o que sea detectado atravesando el rio Rogue.

Sobre el lado Este, cerca de McKnabe Creek, se esperan concluir las tácticas de quema controlada para el día de hoy. Los bomberos continúan limpiando alrededor del perímetro del incendio y cerca de cualquier estructura, con el objetivo de reducir la posibilidad de que el fuego cruce las líneas primarias. El resultado de este trabajo arduo se refleja en el incremento de un 34% en la contención del incendio. Los recursos de la Oficina Estatal del Alguacil continúan limpiando los espacios remanentes de emanación de calor y cercanos a las viviendas, talando arboles peligrosos y patrullando las áreas a lo largo de Galice Road. Además, nuestros bomberos están trabajando en la evaluación de viviendas y preparando planes para el Norte y Sureste del Incendio. El personal del incendio encontró tres estructuras adicionales quemadas, resultando hasta el momento dos viviendas y 4 estructuras menores afectadas por las llamas del incendio. Estas, fueron destruidas durante propagación rápida del fuego el día 26 de agosto y localizadas en áreas inaccesibles para los bomberos.

Firefighters prepare for another windy dry spell

MERLIN, Ore. – Tomorrow’s weather will provide a test for the fire lines. If the fire stays within the current footprint, fire managers can be more confident that it will not escape the fire lines in the future. Rum Creek Fire will be under a Haines 6 tomorrow, the highest level on the index, indicating the greatest potential for rapid fire growth. Also, the National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for Tuesday afternoon and evening for the Rum Creek Fire area. The forecast calls for high temperatures, gusty winds and low relative humidity.

The Haines Index is a tool used to estimate the effect of atmospheric dryness and stability on fire growth potential. When the atmosphere is unstable, windy conditions allow mixing of air near the ground with air higher in the atmosphere. This mixing provides ample fresh air flow to a fire, allowing it to burn freely and potentially grow rapidly and develop a smoke plume. These conditions are more likely to allow a fire to run or spot past fire lines.

In advance of this weather change, firefighters are working aggressively to contain more of the fire. Sunday night, crews completed the last of the planned tactical firing operations on the west side, tying lines from Mount Peavine north to the Rogue River. The large areas of unburned fuels between this primary line and the natural fire edge in the Rum Creek drainage are being closely monitored. At this time, the fire is steadily burning through this area, reducing the chance of fire running across the primary line or spotting north across the Rogue River.

On the east side, tactical firing is expected to be completed today near McKnabe Creek. Firefighters continue to mop up around the fire perimeter and near any structures, reducing the chance for fire to cross the primary lines. This hard work is reflected in the increase in containment to 34%.

Office of State Fire Marshal resources continue to mop up remaining hot spots near structures, cutting hazard trees, and patrolling areas along Galice Road. Firefighters are also working on structure assessment and pre-planning to the north and southeast of the fire.

Fire personnel found three more burned structures, bringing the losses to two homes and four minor structures. These were destroyed during the fire’s rapid spread on August 26th and are in an area previously inaccessible to firefighters.

Evacuations: Existing evacuation orders and notifications remain in place. An interactive map showing evacuation levels according to address can be found at //JosephineCounty.gov/FireMap. For the most current evacuation information and resources, go to Josephine County Incident Information (rvem.org).

 Los Bomberos protegiendo los recursos al suprimir el incendio

Firefighters protecting resources while suppressing fire