Cougar Peak Fire Update

Northwest Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander, Kevin Stock

Oregon State Fire Marshal Incident Management Blue Team, Incident Commander, Scott Magers

September 11, 2021 – Evening

WE WILL NEVER FORGET – 9/11/2001

General Updates: Fire managers continue to work in unified command and are closely coordinating with local agencies, resources, and community partners.

Today, the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s taskforces revisited structures that were impacted by fire and mopped up 100 feet out from each structure. This further secures structures from a potential rekindle that could threaten the residence in the future. Crews also worked on Cox Butte and Round Mountain to protect communications infrastructure that is still near the fire perimeter.

Resources made substantial progress using roads, handline and dozer lines to create lines around the fire. Crews and engines continue to lay hose and mop up along the southern and eastern edges of the fire. On the western side of the fire, containment strategies of indirect line options continue to be evaluated. In the following days strategic firing operations will be conducted in areas where containment line has been constructed and tied to road systems. Fire growth was minimal today. Warmer temperatures are beginning to dry out fuels and internal pockets of areas that had not originally burned, are becoming more active.

Aviation assets were available today after the smoke cleared from the fire area and were able to recon the fire area for fire managers. Fire officials and crews have also been working with the local rangeland managers to locate missing cattle and identify livestock that has perished as a result of the fire.

One firefighter was transported by helicopter off the fire today to Klamath Falls Hospital for a non-fire related illness. Paramedics and EMT’s on the fire responded to assist quickly and effectively transported the individual to a higher level of care.

Tonight, resources will remain on the fire with the priority of patrolling and mopping up the fire impacted properties. OSFM task forces will be assessing structures to the west of the fire and reassessing structures around the active fire area. With minimal winds predicted tonight, smoke is expected to settle into the valley floors overnight and into the morning.

Behavior: Fire spread tonight will be minimal. Relative humidity will be higher than last night, and this will be the trend for the upcoming days. Afternoon spread potential will continue to increase as the fuels dry, and temperatures warm.

Acreage: 85,901

Containment: 0%

Cause: Undetermined

Fire Information: (541) 900-5788 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm)

E-mail:  2021.cougarpeak@firenet.gov

Information Websites:

Facebook: “Cougar Peak Fire 2021”

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7835/

Air Quality: oregonsmoke.blogspot.com

Weather: Tonight, there will be clear skies with smoke settling into the valley floors. Light drainage winds and northwest transport winds are expected through the night. Temperatures will average 42 % and relative humidity will vary from lows of 55% on the ridgetops and 70% in the valleys. Tomorrow evening winds are expected to be gusty again with gusts up to 20mph predicted from the north.

Resources-793: 1 - type 1 hand crew, 2 - type 2 IA hand crews, 14 - type 2 hand crews, 3 - camp crews, 3 - heavy lift helicopters, 2 - medium lift helicopters, 1 - light lift helicopter, 65 - engines, 14 - dozers, 25 - water tenders, and 2 - masticators.

Evacuations: Multiple Evacuation Levels have been issued by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. See this link for entering a specific address in the upper right corner in this interactive map:
https://geo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/PublicInformation/index.html?appid=f8a0d8814a67445a9e6bf3485f4fd24f

See the website and Facebook for a full description of the evacuation levels. Link is below.

https://www.lakecountyor.org/index.php

https://www.facebook.com/Lake-County-Oregon-104435824529906

Temporary Flight Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Cougar Peak Fire. Please consult the Notice to Airman for specifics.

Red Cross Evacuation Shelter: The Lakeview shelter and planned emergency shelter in LaPine will both be on standby starting Saturday. If the need arises, staff are available to reopen the shelter.

Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Whenever a drone is spotted near the fire, all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of the area. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

An average of 85% of fires in the Pacific Northwest are started by humans. Please continue to do your part and be fire aware, know fire restrictions in areas you are visiting and practice safe summer outings! #OnlyYouCanPreventWildfires

For the latest restrictions and regulations, including Oregon Department of Forestry and federal agencies, visit https://scofmp.org/restrictions.shtml.  Make sure to Know Before You Go.

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Cougar Peak Fire Update

Cougar Peak Fire Update

Cougar Peak Fire Virtual Community MeetingSept. 10 at 5:00PM  Facebook Live - 2021 Cougar Peak fire https://fb.me/e/1YKlvlY9D

Status of the Cougar Peak Fire

Fire Behavior Analyst – Jim Hampton

On Friday, September 10, the Cougar Peak Fire and most of South-Central Oregon was subject to a band of moisture that moved from northward from California. Precipitation amounts over the region varied widely, from 1/10” to over half an inch. A good estimate of the precipitation received over the fire area is a quarter inch.

In some years, this amount at this time of year could be considered a season ending event. This season, however, is not a typical season. This area is in its second consecutive year of drought and entered this fire season in the highest classification of drought measure possible. Likewise, fuel moistures have been at or near record lows for most of the year. Just as today’s rains will not fill our empty reservoirs, it will also not automatically bring an end to this fire season.

The next week will bring sunny skies back to the area and the critically dry fuels will respond rapidly to the solar radiation. The primary carriers of the fire in timbered areas are the kindling sized branch wood and conifer needles and will be capable of moderate fire spread within a few days. The grass component will be capable of carrying fire within a few days as well. There is a lot of fire on the landscape and still a lot of potential as well.

Cougar Peak Fire Update

Cougar Peak Fire Update

 ORDER NO. 06-02-21-10FIRE AREA EMERGENCY CLOSUREFREMONT-WINEMA NATIONAL FORESTPursuant to 16 U.S.C. 551, 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on NationalForest System lands, roads and trails within the following described area on the Fremont-WinemaNational Forest, Lakeview, Bly and Paisley Ranger Districts, as described in the attached Exhibit A. ThisOrder is effective September 9, 2021, through December 31, 2021, or until rescinded.PROHIBITIONS:1. Going onto or being within an area closed for public health and safety. 36 CFR § 261.53 (e)2. Being upon a closed road. 36 CFR § 261.54 (e)3. Being on a closed trail. 36 CFR § 261.55 (a)The area described below will be closed to public access/entry due to hazards and hazardous conditionscreated as a result of the Cougar Peak Fire.AFFECTED AREA/CLOSURE AREA:All National Forest System Lands within the area beginning at the junction of Oregon State Highway 140and U.S. Highway 395 in Lakeview, continuing west on Oregon State Highway 140 to Quartz MountainSnow Park, then turning northeast on National Forest System Road (NFSR) 3660. Continuing north onNFSR 3660 to the junction with NFSR 34 near Corral Creek Campground and following NFSR 34 northeastto the junction with NFSR 28. Turning north on NFSR 28 and continuing to the junction with NFSR 3315,also known as the High Road. Follow NFSR 3315 northeast to the junction with NFSR 33, also known asLake County Road 2-08, and follow it east into Paisley and the junction with Oregon State Highway 31.Turn south on Oregon State Highway 31 and follow to the junction with U.S. Highway 395 at Valley Falls,then continue south on U.S. Highway 395 for approximately three quarters of a mile to Crooked Creek.Follow the Crooked Creek drainage to the southeast to the junction with the High Line Ditch andproceed south to the National Forest Boundary (Boundary). Follow the Boundary east to NFSR 3615-035and continue south along the road to the junction with NFSR 3615, then south along NFSR 3615, pastthe North Warner Viewpoint, to the North Fork of Crooked Creek. Follow Crooked Creek west to MillTrailhead and then along NFSR 3900-012, also known as Crooked Creek Road, west to U.S. Highway 395.Continue south on U.S. Highway 395 to Lakeview and the intersection with Oregon State Highway 140.This order also closes all roads and trails within the closure boundary described above.Refer to the attached map (Exhibit A).EXEMPTIONS:Pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.50(e), the following are exempt from this Order:ORDER NO. 06-02-21-101. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or AreasRestricted by Regulation or Order) specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act oromission.2. Any Federal, State or Local Officer or member of an organized firefighting force in theperformance of an official duty.3. Owners or lessees of land in the affected area.This prohibition is in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A.Violations of this prohibition are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or$10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both (16 USC § 551; 18USC §§ 3551, 3559, 3571, and 3581).Done at Lakeview, Oregon, on September 9, 2021, at ________ AM / PM.________________________________BARRY L. IMLERForest SupervisorFremont-Winema National Forest

 
File Code: 1950 Date: September 9, 2021Route To:Subject: Documentation of Civil Rights Impact Analysis (CRIA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)Compliance for Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Subpart A and B Prohibition – National Forest Areaand Road Closure #06-02-21-10To: Project FileProposed Action: Issuing a Title 36 CFR Subpart A and B Order (Order) prohibiting entry in a closed area, and roads andtrails on the Lakeview, Bly and Paisley Ranger Districts of the Fremont-Winema National Forest associated with theCougar Peak Fire suppression activities from September 9, 2021 through December 31, 2021 or until the order can berescinded. Similar emergency fire area closures, including the Crane Fire on the Lakeview Ranger District and BrattainFire on the Paisley Ranger District in 2020, did not cause significant long-term impacts.Issuing an Order to close the area referenced in Exhibit A is necessary for public, firefighter and employee safety duringthe ongoing suppression of the Cougar Peak Fire. The Cougar Peak Fire is an uncontrolled wildfire burning in the area.The closure order allows firefighters to operate in the area safely as they do critical work in the area, suppressing the fire,assessing and repairing damage and mitigating risks of additional resource damage.This Forest Order includes an exemption for persons with a Forest Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted byRegulation or Order (Form FS-7700-48). Authorization under this exemption will be provided only if I or my delegatedetermine that the risk to personal health and safety is reasonable considering the circumstances of the request. We alsomay require appropriate personal protective equipment and other necessary safety measures. I hereby delegate theauthority to sign Form FS-7700-48 granting an exemption to this Forest Order to the Lakeview, Bly and Paisley DistrictRangers of the Fremont-Winema National Forest.Scoping occurred with the Lakeview, Bly and Paisley Ranger District Staff, the Incident Commander, the District DutyOfficers, Forest Fire Staff and the Agency Administrator assigned to the Cougar Peak Fire.Forest Service policy and procedures for implementing NEPA are contained in Forest Service Handbook (FSH) 1909.15(NEPA Handbook). Chapter 30 of that handbook discusses categorical exclusion (CE) from documentation in anenvironmental impact statement (EIS) or environmental assessment (EA) for routine actions that normally do not have asignificant effect on the quality of the human environment. The CE provisions indicate only that the action is excludedfrom documentation in an EIS or EA, not from NEPA analysis. 36 CFR 220.6(d)(1) and Category 1 in Section 31.1b of thehandbook categorically excludes “orders issued pursuant to 36 CFR part 261 – Prohibitions to provide short-term resourceprotection or to protect public health and safety”, unless scoping indicates that there are extraordinary circumstances. Thisorder is a short-duration order to protect public health and safety and is therefore categorically excluded.The Forest Supervisor is responsible for certifying whether or not a CRIA must be conducted prior to making the decisionon the proposed action. Civil rights impacts are defined as “alterations in people’s civil rights status that occur inconjunction with a new policy, program, project; are not attributable to any external factors; and are perceived by thoseaffected as socially significant” (FSH 1709.11, sec. 30.5(12). No potential major civil rights or social impacts related tothe proposed action (issuing Title 36 CFR Subpart B prohibition in an area designated by an Order) were identified.Similar actions on previous Orders on NFSL did not cause impacts and would apply to all users of the forest.I have concluded that this decision may be categorically excluded and no NEPA is required. Implementation of thedecision may begin immediately.BARRY L. IMLERForest Supervisor