Archie Creek and Thielsen Fire Update September 30, 2020

 Unified Incident Commanders Mike Dueitt and Tim Keith

Archie Creek Fire

Email: 2020.archiecreek@firenet.gov

Phone: 971-334-7674

InciWeb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7176/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArchieCreekFireInfo/

Thielsen Fire

Email: 2020.Thielsen@firenet.gov

Phone: 541-625-0687

InciWeb:https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7195/

Facebook: http://bit.ly/ThielsenFire   

Special Notes: The Douglas Forest Protective Association will increase the Industrial Fire Precaution Level to IFPL II (two) on all private, county, state, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Indian Affairs lands that are protected by DFPA. The increase to IFPL II will take effect tomorrow, October 1st, at 12:01 AM.

Dry and warm weather with near record high temperatures will persist through tomorrow and cause unburned pockets of live and dead vegetation, needle cast and piled logs and stumps throughout both fires to burn and produce smoke. Firefighters are keeping an eye out for increased fire behavior from the ground and from the air and will cool any threats to firelines. No fire growth is expected. Smoke from California fires may be visible at upper air levels.

Oregon State University Extension Service Fire Program is hosting a post-fire webinar tomorrow, October 1st from 3-5 pm for residents affected by wildfires, including information on technical/financial assistance. Registration: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3J8OS8dWTDGOXC5YHy1TtQ

Archie Creek Fire: The Archie Creek Fire is east of Roseburg in the North Umpqua corridor on state, private and federal land. It has burned 131,542 acres and is 73 percent contained. There are currently 836 personnel assigned. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Personnel and Equipment: 20 Type 2 hand crews, 4 helicopters, 1 fixed wing air attack, 53 engines, 23 bulldozers, 17 water tenders, 3 masticators, 5 skidgines, 14 excavators, 5 chippers, and 11 dump trucks.

With yesterday’s hot and dry weather, a hot spot flared up in steep ground on the northeast flank of the fire in the Zig Zag Creek and upper Trapper Creek areas. Helicopters dropped water on the flareups to cool them down. Today firefighters will continue to patrol, mop up, make sure firelines are cold, backhaul fire hose and other equipment and assess and continue suppression repair. Firefighters will patrol and mop up around buildings throughout the fire, including along Little River Road, Glide, Idleyld Park, Rock Creek and the Scott Mountain Area to Susan Creek.

Firefighters will continue removing hazard trees along Rock Creek Road, Wright Creek and Cool Water area to make areas safe. Crews are monitoring the northeastern flank of the fire in the Zig Zag Creek and Upper Trapper Creek areas and will use helicopters to make water drops as necessary.

Chippers, excavators and dump trucks are on hand to do suppression repair as conditions allow. Suppression repair ensures actions taken to fight the fire do not have long-term impacts on natural resources. Examples of suppression repair work that has begun are installing water bars on firelines (especially on steep slopes) for proper drainage. On Umpqua National Forest and Bureau of Land Management-managed lands, crews are chipping brush along drainage ditches and hauling out trees felled to construct firelines. Suppression repair work is done in concert with agency resource advisors to meet resource protection standards. Fire suppression repair is for damage caused fighting the fire, not for damage from the fire itself.

Thielsen Fire: The Thielsen Fire is located five miles north of Crater Lake near Diamond Lake Resort. It has burned 9,974 acres and is 69 percent contained. There are currently 255 personnel assigned. Cause: unknown.

Personnel and Equipment: 5 Type 2 hand crews, 2 helicopters, 8 engines, 6 bulldozers, 6 water tenders and 1 masticator.

Gradual drying has allowed stumps and logs to begin smoldering more now that fuels are drying. Yesterday fire crews conducted mop up and suppression repairs along containment lines, and this work will continue today. Firefighters will continue felling hazard trees along Cinnamon Butte Road and improving contingency lines along Forest Service Road 60.

Help for Fire Victims: Information on disaster aid and organizations helping victims of the Archie Creek Fire can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7176/57029/

Evacuations, Shelter Areas: An interactive map of the current evacuation area can be found at www.dcso.com/evacuations.  For more evacuation information, visit the Douglas County Sheriff website www.dcso.com/evacuations and Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCoSO

The Douglas County Fairgrounds has full RV spaces, electric hookup spaces and dry camping available. They also have stalls and arenas for livestock and farm animals. Contact Ciera Keith at (541) 440-4394.

Air quality: See the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality at http://www.oregon.gov/deq

Closures:

• Roads – Highway 138E is open, but delays should be expected. The route to Miller Lake via FS Road 9772 remains closed from the intersection with Hwy. 97 to the intersection with FS Road 110 due to firefighter traffic. Drivers are being directed to take FS Road 9774 to connect with FS Road 110 as an alternative route. See www.tripcheck.com for updates on highway closures.

• Bureau of Land Management – All BLM-managed lands in the Swiftwater Resource Area east of the Willamette Meridan, Range 3 and 4 boundary line, and north of Little River Road are closed. This includes Rock Creek Road from the end of Douglas County road maintenance to the boundary of the Roseburg and Northwest Oregon BLM District line, and all BLM recreation sites in the closure boundary, including Rock Creek, Lone Pine, Millpond, Scaredman and Susan Creek campgrounds, and all BLM day use areas within the closure area. Cavitt Creek Falls Campground is closed for the season. For more information, see https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7176/57115/

• Umpqua National Forest – sections of the North Umpqua (North Umpqua Ranger District ORDER NO. 06-15-01-20-425) and Diamond Lake Districts (Diamond Lake Ranger District ORDER NO. 06-15-01-20-424) remain under a fire closure order. Umpqua Hot Springs, fire lookouts, cabins and group picnic sites remain closed. See https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7176/57090/ More information on Forest Service closures are available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices

The Umpqua National Forest is currently at Industrial Fire Precaution Level I. The fire danger is Moderate.

Temporary Flight Restriction: There are temporary flight restriction for aircraft, including drones, for the Archie Fire and the Thielsen Fire. Wildfires are a No Drone Zones. If you fly, we can’t. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org/

Archie Creek and Thielsen Fire Update September 29, 2020

 Unified Incident Commanders Mike Dueitt and Tim Keith

Archie Creek Fire

Email: 2020.archiecreek@firenet.gov

Phone: 971-334-7674

InciWeb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7176/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArchieCreekFireInfo/

Thielsen Fire

Email: 2020.Thielsen@firenet.gov

Phone: 541-625-0687

InciWeb:https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7195/

Facebook: http://bit.ly/ThielsenFire  
 

Special Notes: The Bureau of Land Management Roseburg District has modified the closure order of public lands east of I-5, within the Swiftwater Resource Area. Access to public lands west of Glide, including the North Bank Habitat Management Area, is now permitted. A map of the closure perimeter and more information can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7176/57115/.

Dry and warm weather with near record high temperatures will persist through Thursday and cause unburned pockets of live and dead vegetation, needle cast and piled logs and stumps throughout both fires to burn and produce smoke. Firefighters are keeping an eye out for increased fire behavior from the ground and from the air and will cool any threats to firelines. No fire growth is expected.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office announced the following evacuation level reductions: The LEVEL 1 "BE READY" notice on Little River Road at New Bridge Road to the end of Little River Road, including all side streets between these two points, has been lifted. This area is no longer under a formal evacuation notice. Diamond Lake, including the Diamond Lake Resort, all recreation areas and all residential and summer homes has been reduced to a LEVEL 1 "BE READY" notice.

Warm and dry conditions in Umpqua Valley have prompted the Douglas Forest Protective Association to increase the Fire Danger to Moderate. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level remains at IFPL I, district wide.

Oregon State University Extension Service Fire Program is hosting a post-fire webinar this Thursday, October 1st from 3-5 pm for residents affected by wildfires, including information on technical/financial assistance. Registration: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3J8OS8dWTDGOXC5YHy1TtQ

Archie Creek Fire: The Archie Creek Fire is east of Roseburg in the North Umpqua corridor on state, private and federal land. It has burned 131,542 acres and is 72 percent contained. There are currently 863 personnel assigned. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Personnel and Equipment: 20 Type 2 hand crews, 5 helicopters, 1 fixed wing air attack, 56 engines, 20 bulldozers, 20 water tenders, 4 masticators, and 5 skidgines.

Today firefighters will continue to patrol, mop up, make sure firelines are cold, backhaul fire hose and other equipment and assess and continue suppression repair. Hand crews will construct remaining firelines directly at the fire’s edge, where necessary and accessible. Firefighters continue to protect homes and other buildings throughout the fire, including along Little River Road and they are assessing structure protection for the Bar L subdivision. Other areas protected are Wolf Creek Job Corps, Susan Creek Bridge and communications equipment on Scott Mt. Firefighters will also remove hazard trees along the Rock Creek Road corridor and in the Wright Creek area to make them safe for travel.

Chippers, excavators and dump trucks are on hand to do suppression repair as conditions allow. Suppression repair ensures actions taken to fight the fire do not have long-term impacts on natural resources. Examples of suppression repair work that has begun are installing water bars on firelines (especially on steep slopes) for proper drainage. On Umpqua National Forest and Bureau of Land Management-managed lands, crews are chipping brush along drainage ditches and hauling out trees felled to construct firelines. Suppression repair work is done in concert with agency resource advisors to meet resource protection standards. Fire suppression repair is for damage caused fighting the fire, not for damage from the fire itself.

Thielsen Fire: The Thielsen Fire is located five miles north of Crater Lake near Diamond Lake Resort. It has burned 9,971acres and is 69 percent contained. There are currently 302 personnel assigned. Cause: unknown.

Personnel and Equipment: 6 Type 2 hand crews, 2 helicopters, 13 engines, 6 bulldozers, 9 water tenders and 1 masticator.

Yesterday on the east side of the fire, crews continued to construct handlines near the Wilderness boundary and mop up where possible. On the west side, firefighters continued to secure and mop up containment lines. Today, crews will continue mop up and work with resource advisors to start suppression repairs. Firefighters will also continue improving potential containment contingency lines along Forest Service Road 60.

Help for Fire Victims: Information on disaster aid and organizations helping victims of the Archie Creek Fire can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7176/57029/

Evacuations, Shelter Areas: An interactive map of the current evacuation area can be found at www.dcso.com/evacuations.  For more evacuation information, visit the Douglas County Sheriff website www.dcso.com/evacuations and Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCoSO

The Douglas County Fairgrounds has full RV spaces, electric hookup spaces and dry camping available. They also have stalls and arenas for livestock and farm animals. Contact Ciera Keith at (541) 440-4394.

Air quality: See the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality at http://www.oregon.gov/deq

Closures:

• Roads – Highway 138E is open, but delays should be expected. The route to Miller Lake via FS Road 9772 remains closed from the intersection with Hwy. 97 to the intersection with FS Road 110 due to firefighter traffic. Drivers are being directed to take FS Road 9774 to connect with FS Road 110 as an alternative route. See www.tripcheck.com for updates on highway closures.

• Bureau of Land Management – All BLM-managed lands in the Swiftwater Resource Area east of the Willamette Meridan, Range 3 and 4 boundary line, and north of Little River Road are closed. This includes Rock Creek Road from the end of Douglas County road maintenance to the boundary of the Roseburg and Northwest Oregon BLM District line, and all BLM recreation sites in the closure boundary, including Rock Creek, Lone Pine, Millpond, Scaredman and Susan Creek campgrounds, and all BLM day use areas within the closure area. Cavitt Creek Falls Campground is closed for the season. For more information, see https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7176/57115/

• Umpqua National Forest – sections of the North Umpqua (North Umpqua Ranger District ORDER NO. 06-15-01-20-425) and Diamond Lake Districts (Diamond Lake Ranger District ORDER NO. 06-15-01-20-424) remain under a fire closure order. Umpqua Hot Springs, fire lookouts, cabins and group picnic sites remain closed. See https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7176/57090/ More information on Forest Service closures are available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices

The Umpqua National Forest is currently at Industrial Fire Precaution Level I. The fire danger is Moderate.

Temporary Flight Restriction: There are temporary flight restriction for aircraft, including drones, for the Archie Fire and the Thielsen Fire. Wildfires are a No Drone Zones. If you fly, we can’t. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org/

Archie Creek and Thielsen Fire Update September 28 2020

 Unified Incident Commanders Mike Dueitt and Tim Keith

Archie Creek Fire

Email: 2020.archiecreek@firenet.gov

Phone: 971-334-7674

InciWeb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7176/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArchieCreekFireInfo/

Thielsen Fire

Email: 2020.Thielsen@firenet.gov

Phone: 541-595-8227

InciWeb:https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7195/

Facebook: http://bit.ly/ThielsenFire 

Special Notes: Umpqua National Forest announced the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) has been reduced to I with a MODERATE fire danger rating. There are no time restrictions under an IFPL I; however, industrial operators must still have fire tools and a water supply at each operation site. A fire-watch is also required at the end of the operation period. More info: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7176/57088/

The Umpqua National Forest has also reopened many of their public lands to recreational users. Cottage Grove and Tiller Ranger Districts are open to the public in addition to large portions of North Umpqua and Diamond Lake Districts. Both reserved and first-come, first-served campsites are available in open areas. Due to active fire and fire suppression activities, sections of the North Umpqua and Diamond Lake Districts will remain under a fire closure order. Umpqua Hot Springs, fire lookouts, cabins and group picnic sites will remain closed. See https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7176/57090/ for more information.

Archie Creek Fire: The Archie Creek Fire is east of Roseburg in the North Umpqua corridor on state, private and federal land. It has burned 131,542 acres and is 69 percent contained. There are currently 906 personnel assigned. Cause: under investigation.

Personnel and Equipment: 21 Type 2 hand crews, 5 helicopters, 1 fixed wing air attack, 65 engines, 17 bulldozers, 21 water tenders, 3 masticators, and 5 skidgeons.

“The fire has not done much the last few days. Today could be a very different day,” said fire behavior analyst Greg Titus. Windier and drier weather and near record high temperatures through Thursday will cause unburned pockets of live and dead vegetation, needle cast and piled logs and stumps on the fire perimeter to burn and produce smoke. With gusty east winds, firefighters are keeping an eye out for increased fire behavior within the interior of the fire and will cool any threats to firelines. No fire growth is expected.

Today firefighters will continue to patrol, mop up, make sure firelines are cold, backhaul fire hose and other equipment and assess and continue suppression repair. Hand crews will construct remaining firelines directly at the fire’s edge, where necessary and accessible. Firefighters continue to protect homes and other buildings throughout the fire, including along Little River Road and they are assessing structure protection for the Bar L subdivision. Other areas protected are Wolf Creek Job Corps, Susan Creek Bridge and communications equipment on Scott Mt. Firefighters will also remove hazard trees along the Rock Creek Road corridor and other roads to make them safe for travel.

Chippers, excavators and dump trucks are on hand to do suppression repair as conditions allow. Suppression repair ensures actions taken to fight the fire do not have long-term impacts on natural resources. Examples of suppression repair work that has begun are installing water bars on firelines (especially on steep slopes) for proper drainage. On USFS and BLM-managed lands crews are chipping brush along drainage ditches and hauling out trees felled to construct firelines. Suppression repair work is done in concert with agency resource advisors to meet resource protection standards. Fire suppression repair is for damage caused fighting the fire, not for damage from the fire itself.

Thielsen Fire: The Thielsen Fire is located five miles north of Crater Lake near Diamond Lake Resort. It has burned 9,971acres and is 69 percent contained. There are currently 385 personnel assigned. Cause: unknown.

Personnel and Equipment: 9 Type 2 hand crews, 2 helicopters, 13 engines, 6 bulldozers, 9 water tenders and 1 masticator.

Yesterday on the east side of the fire crews continued to construct handlines and mop up where possible. On the west side, crews continued to secure and mop up containment lines. Today, firefighters will pull remaining hose and begin suppression repair where it is safe and secure. Firefighters will improve potential containment contingency lines along Forest Service Road 60.

Help for Fire Victims: Information on disaster aid and organizations helping victims of the Archie Creek Fire can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7176/57029/

Evacuations, Shelter Areas: An interactive map of the current evacuation area can be found at www.dcso.com/evacuations.  For more evacuation information, visit the Douglas County Sheriff website www.dcso.com/evacuations and Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCoSO

The Douglas County Fairgrounds has full RV spaces, electric hookup spaces and dry camping available. They also have stalls and arenas for livestock and farm animals. Contact Ciera Keith at (541) 440-4394.

Air quality: See the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality at http://www.oregon.gov/deq

Closures:

• Roads – Highway 138E is open, but delays should be expected. The route to Miller Lake via FS Road 9772 remains closed from the intersection with Hwy. 97 to the intersection with FS Road 110 due to firefighter traffic. Drivers are being directed to take FS Road 9774 to connect with FS Road 110 as an alternative route. See www.tripcheck.com for updates on highway closures.

• Bureau of Land Management – Lands east of Interstate 5, in the Swiftwater Resource Area are closed. The Bureau of Land Management will make an announcement later today about revised closures.

• Umpqua National Forest – sections of the North Umpqua (North Umpqua Ranger District ORDER NO. 06-15-01-20-425) and Diamond Lake Districts (Diamond Lake Ranger District ORDER NO. 06-15-01-20-424) remain under a fire closure order. Umpqua Hot Springs, fire lookouts, cabins and group picnic sites remain closed. See https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7176/57090/ More information on Forest Service closures are available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices

The Umpqua National Forest is currently at Industrial Fire Precaution Level I. The fire danger is Moderate.

Temporary Flight Restriction: There are temporary flight restriction for aircraft, including drones, for the Archie Fire and the Thielsen Fire. Wildfires are a No Drone Zones. If you fly, we can’t. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org/

Land Management (BLM) lands east of Interstate 5 managed by the Swiftwater Resource Area. This Amended

Action: Pursuant to 43 CFR 9268.3 and 43 CFR 8364.1, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) hereby

Affected Area: All BLM lands in the Swiftwater Resource Area east of the Willamette Meridan Range 3 and 4

• All Sections of BLM Swiftwater Resource Area lands in:

o Township 23 S., R. 1 W., R. 2 W., and R. 3 W.;

o Township 24 S., R. 1 W., R. 2 W., and R. 3 W.;

o Township 25 S., R. 1 W., R. 2 W., and R. 3 W.;

o Township 26 S., R. 2 W. and R. 3 W.; and

o Township 27 S., R. 2 W., and R. 3 W.

Prohibitions: The public must not enter the closure area. All uses within the closure area are prohibited. You

Dates: This closure is effective at 1200 on Monday, September 28, 2020, and will remain in effect until such

Supplemental Information: The following persons are exempt from the provisions of this Order:

Exception Requests: Persons wishing to obtain an exception may submit a written request to the Swiftwater

Effective: This Order is effective at 1200 on Monday, September 28, 2020.

ArcGIS StoryMaps Create inspiring, immersive stories by combining text, interactive maps, and other multimedia content. 

 
Follow this link to view the Archie Creek Fire Story Map. Updates are being made each day so check back often for new content.

Umpqua National Forest

Announces Re-opening of Forest and Some Recreation Areas

Some areas remain under Fire Closures
 

Umpqua National Forest Goes to IFPL I
Lowers Public Use Restrictions to Level 1

ROSEBURG, Ore. – September 28, 2020 – Effective Monday, September 28, at 12:01 a.m., the Umpqua National Forest will drop into an Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) I with a MODERATE fire danger rating.  There are no time restrictions under an IFPL I; however, industrial operators must still have fire tools and a water supply at each operation site.  A fire-watch is also required at the end of the operation period.

Public Use Restrictions will be reduced to Level 1 at noon on Monday. Public Use Restrictions are measures put in place to reduce the risk of a wildfire starting when fire danger is elevated. These restrictions are always carefully considered before being implemented as the goal is to improve the safety of our public lands and resources while understanding the needs of our many recreational users.

Under Public Use Restrictions Level 1, campfires may be built in Forest Service constructed fire rings in designated recreation sites only. Portable cooking stoves using pressurized liquid gas or propane are permitted in all other areas.  Use of generators with an approved spark-arrester screen is allowed in designated campgrounds. Portable campfires using propane are also permitted. People are urged to ensure all campfires are fully extinguished when departing.

 Smoking is allowed only in vehicles, designated recreation sites, in areas clear of vegetation measuring at least 3 feet in diameter, or aboard watercraft on waterways.

For additional information on public and industrial fire restrictions, please call the Umpqua National Forest at 541-957-3200 or visit www.fs.fed.us/r6/umpqua. 
 
 

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Archie Creek and Thielsen Fire Update September 27, 2020

 Unified Incident Commanders Mike Dueitt and Tim Keith

Douglas Forest Protective Association