Frog Fire Update

Northwest Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander, Doug Johnson

August 22, 2020 - 9:00 AM

The safety of the public and all wildland fire responders is always the number one priority for all wildland fire agencies.  To keep firefighters and communities healthy and safe, all firefighters are asked to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce the spread of illness.  This also includes limited entry into the incident command post and spike camp.  Please see the websites below or contact the Frog Fire information center at 541-670-0812 for further fire information.

 

General Updates: Firefighters made progress in the containment of the Frog Fire.  Milder weather reduced fire activity during the last operational period allowing fire fighters to complete fireline on the majority of the incident perimeter.

On the most active edge of the fire, located in the northern section, crews were able to complete fireline and conducted a small burnout operation last night.  Burnouts are the intentional placement of low intensity fire on the landscape, and conducted in order reduce the fuel load in an area prior to the arrival of a fire edge. Crews on the northern flanks will work today strengthening and patrolling the line. Firefighters will strengthen the southeast portion of the fireline by constructing a dozer line in conjunction with the existing handline.  On the southeast flank containment lines are holding. Crews will begin mop up and patrol.  Due to erratic winds, fire fighters on all areas of the fire will continue to monitor for spot fires.

Afternoon and evening strong winds, steep terrain, and heavy amounts of dry, dead and down fuels are providing challenges to the firefighters.  A full suppression strategy is being utilized to minimize the impact to sage grouse habitat, private and federal grazing lands, and timber.  Demand for firefighting resources is very high as reflected in the National Preparedness Level of 5. Large retardant air tankers, single engine air tankers and helicopters are being shared with other fires in Central Oregon.

Acreage: 3,997

Containment: 10%

Fire Information: 541-670-0812 (8:00 am to 9:00 PM)

E-mail:  FrogWildFire2020@gmail.com

Information Websites:

            Twitter: @CentralORFire

            Blog Site: http://www.centraloregonfire.org

Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7036/

Smoke: oregonsmoke.blogspot.com

 

Weather:  Mostly sunny with temperatures ranging from 75-80 degrees with northwest winds up to 9 mph in the morning and dropping to 5 mph in the afternoon.  Relative humidity will range from 22-27%.

Smoke Advisory: Be prepared. With multiple large fires in the region air quality may become an issue. Our air resource advisors use advanced smoke forecasting models to give advance notice to communities ahead of degraded air quality from wildfire smoke. Detailed smoke forecasts for Oregon are available at oregonsmoke.blogspot.com

Resources-289:  1-type 2 initial attack crew, 8-type 2 crews, 1- light helicopter, 1-medium helicopter, 1- heavy helicopter, 8-engines, 2-skidgine, 4-dozers, 1-water tender, and 76 overhead.

Evacuations: None 

Closures: Several road closures and an Area Closure have been implemented near the Frog Fire.

The Crook County Sheriff’s Office has closed the following roads:

 On the south end:

• Roberts Road at Bear Creek

• Klootchman Creek Road at Bear Creek

• Salt Creek at Roberts Road

On the north end:

• Forest Service Road 16 at the junction of Forest Service Road 1610

   

A temporary Area Closure also has been implemented by the Ochoco National Forest.  For a full description and map of the Area Closure, please see the above Inciweb link.

 

Temporary Flight Restrictions: For the safety of the firefighters and aircraft fighting the Frog Fire, a temporary flight restriction has been placed over the fire area.  Please consult the Notice to Airman for specifics.

 

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Frog Fire Update

Northwest Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander, Doug Johnson

August 21, 2020 - 9:00 PM

Northwest Incident Management Team, Incident Commander Doug Johnson, assumed management of the Frog Fire this morning.  The incident command post is located at the Crook County Fairgrounds in Prineville and a spike camp is located near Post, Oregon. The safety of the public and all wildland fire responders is always the number one priority for all wildland fire agencies.  To keep firefighters and communities healthy and safe, all firefighters are asked to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce the spread of illness.  This also includes limited entry into the incident command post and spike camp.  Please see the websites below or contact the Frog Fire information center at 541-670-0812 for further fire information.

 

General Updates: Firefighters are continuing to battle the Frog Fire.  The fire ignited during the recent thunderstorms and was discovered on August 16th.  It is burning in an area of pine over story with smaller conifers in the understory in the Maury Mounatins.  The fire has been resistant to control and began spotting 3/10 of mile moving northeast pushed by strong, gusty winds. The fire grew to over 3900 acres and is continuing to increase in size. 

Dozer line has been successfully constructed on the west flank and a structure group is on site providing protection to homes and outbuildings.  Retardant air tankers, single engine air tankers and helicopters are supporting on the ground firefighters with retardant and water drops to cool the fire‘s edge to allow crews to construct fireline.  The fire spotted across the constructed line on the northeast flank yesterday.  Firefighters worked today to secure this line.   A spot fire burned over the dozer and hand line in the northwest flank of the fire. Crews were successful in securing the spot. A night shift will patrol and keep eyes on the fire’s activity.

 Afternoon and evening strong winds, steep terrain, and heavy amounts of dry, dead and down fuels are providing challenges to the firefighters.  A full suppression strategy is being utilized to minimize the impact to sage grouse habitat, private and federal grazing lands, and timber.  Demand for firefighting resources is very high as reflected in the National Preparedness Level of 5. Large retardant air tankers, single engine air tankers and helicopters are being shared with other fires in Central Oregon.

Acreage: 3,997

Containment: 10%

Fire Information: 541-670-0812 (8:00 am to 9:00 PM)

E-mail:  FrogWildFire2020@gmail.com

Information Websites:

            Twitter: @CentralORFire

            Blog Site: http://www.centraloregonfire.org

Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7036/

 

Weather:  Dry conditions are expected.  A weak front will cross the area today and will bring breezy conditions especially in the afternoon and evening. Winds will decrease later Friday into Saturday.  There will be good humidity recovery overnight.  Tonight will be mostly clear with temperatures 47-52 degrees and a relative humidity of 79-84%

Resources-289:  1-type 2 initial attack crew, 8-type 2 crews, 1- light helicopter, 1-medium helicopter, 1- heavy helicopter, 8-engines, 2-skidgine, 4-dozers, 1-water tender, and 76 overhead.

Evacuations: None 

Closures: Several road closures and an Area Closure have been implemented near the Frog Fire.

The Crook County Sheriff’s Office has closed the following roads:

 On the south end:

• Roberts Road at Bear Creek

• Klootchman Creek Road at Bear Creek

• Salt Creek at Roberts Road

On the north end:

• Forest Service Road 16 at the junction of Forest Service Road 1610

   

A temporary Area Closure also has been implemented by the Ochoco National Forest.  For a full description and map of the Area Closure, please see the above Inciweb link.

 

Temporary Flight Restrictions: For the safety of the firefighters and aircraft fighting the Frog Fire, a temporary flight restriction has been placed over the fire area.  Please consult the Notice to Airman for specifics.

Prineville, Oregon – Northwest Incident Management Team 8 Incident Commander Doug Johnson, has assumed management of the Frog Fire as of 6:00 a.m. today. The Frog Fire is burning in steep terrain in the Maury Mountains on the Ochoco National Forest, and on nearby private range and timber lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry as well as lands managed by the Prineville District Bureau of Land Management. Erratic winds remain a challenge for firefighters as fire behavior remains active in hot and dry conditions.Last night the fire made a push to the northeast and firefighters will concentrate efforts there today. Firefighters are looking for opportunities to hold the fire on preliminary containment lines but are challenged by several spot fires that have jumped over those lines. Crews will continue to attack and suppress those spots while patrolling for new ones today along preliminary lines. Crews were assisted by Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) and heavy air tankers laying down retardant to slow the spread of the fire while heavy helicopters cooled hot spots.Infrared mapping was unavailable overnight so the acreage will remain the same estimated acreage as August 20 with no containment to report.
 An area closure was put in place yesterday for all U.S. Forest Service managed lands west of Forest Road 17 in the Maury Mountains. This closure is being implemented for the safety of the public and firefighters working in the area. Additionally, Crook County Sheriff’s Office has issued several road closures around the Frog Fire. On the south side of the Maury Mountain they include: Roberts Road at Bear Creek, Klootchman Creek Road at Bear Creek, Salt Creek Road at Roberts Road. Residents are encouraged to sign up for the Alert Crook County notification system at: www.alertcrookcounty.org
 For more information on fires in Central Oregon, visit: www.centraloregonfire.org or keep up with us on Twitter at twitter.com/CentralORFire
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Prineville, Ore. – Effective immediately, Ochoco National Forest officials have put in place an area closure for the Frog Fire burning in the Maury Mountains on the Ochoco National Forest. The Frog Fire, which started August 16 and is now estimated at 3,700 acres, is burning in the steep and rugged terrain of the Maury Mountains in heavy timber and now onto adjacent private rangelands and land managed by the Prineville District Bureau of Land Management.

 

The following area closure is in place (see map for details):

 

All lands managed by the US Forest Service west of NFSR (National Forest System Road) 17 in the Maury Mountains. Including Forest Service managed lands within T. 17 S, R. 18 E., sections 20-29 and 33-36; T. 17 S., R. 17 E., sections 19-36; T. 18 S., R. 18 E., sections 1-4, 9-12, 14, and 15; T. 18 S., R. 19 E., sections 1-12, 14-18, 22, and 23.

 

The following road closures are in place:

 

•           All National Forest System Roads found within the area closure are closed.

•           NFSR 17 will remain open for public use.

 

For more information on the Frog Fire, visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7036/

 

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 Thursday - August 20, 2020
 MEDIA RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - FIRE ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE – COIDC Incident #OCF-657Frog Fire in the Maury Mountains on the Ochoco National ForestThe fire was first reported to COIDC on Sunday August 16th at 1436. When it was first reported multiple Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center (COIDC) air and ground fire resources were dispatched. As of today the fire has grown to 3700 acres and is continuing to burn. Unpredictable weather and winds have added to the challenge of containment and the Forest Service has assigned a local Type 2 Incident Command Team to the resource list. Ranch owners in the affected area have been individually contacted of the potential need for evacuation. At this time there is no active fire evacuation notices.Crook County Sheriff’s office in consultation with Agency officials of US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are working closely together, along with the Crook County Health Department for any COVID related emergencies or exposures.Crook County Road Department has sent crews to begin the process of placing road closure signs for the following roads to further assist in gaining control of this fire and to protect the public:
 Road Closures on the South End of the fire:Roberts Road at Bear CreekKlootchman Creek Road at Bear CreekSalt Creek Road at Roberts RoadRoad Closures on the North End of the fire:Forest Service road 16 is closed at the Forest Service road 1610 intersection
 If conditions worsen, emergency services personnel may contact you via Alert Crook County notification system. Please sign up at www.alertcrookcounty.org
 For fire specific information please contact:Kassidy KernActing Public Affairs Officer – Forest Service541-588-2000For general information and fire updates please visit:centraloregonfire.orgRelease provided by Crook County Public Information Officer Vicky Ryan541-233-8504Michael Ryan – Crook County Emergency Manager

 

Prineville, Oregon – Gusty winds, high temperatures and dry fuel conditions contributed to significant fire growth on the Frog Fire yesterday afternoon and through the night.  

The Frog Fire predominantly grew to the south through the late night and early morning hours, burning from the Maury Mountains on the Ochoco National Forest onto Bureau of Land Management land and private lands protected by the Brothers-Hampton Rangeland Fire Protection Association. Firefighters constructed preliminary containment lines while also focusing efforts on structure protection.

The strategy today will be for crews to establish an anchor point in the northwest area of the fire near Florida Creek. This should allow them to more effectively construct and hold containment lines. Additionally the plan is to keep the fire west of Forest Road 1640 and north of Bear Creek Road.

An area closure will be put into place today for all U.S. Forest Service managed lands west of Forest Road 17 in the Maury Mountains. This closure is being implemented for the safety of the public and firefighters working in the area. Additionally, fire officials are working with Crook County to identify county road closures that may need to be put in place for public safety.

Due to the complexity of the fire and the increasing number of resources, a Type 2 Incident Management Team will take over command of the Frog Fire this evening.

For more information on fires in Central Oregon, visit: www.centraloregonfire.org or keep up with us on Twitter at twitter.com/CentralORFire

Current Fire Situation: The Hopkins Fire, is burning within and just north of the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness on both the Shasta-Trinity and Mendocino National Forests. An advisory has been issued to the public to please avoid the fire area.  The fire is being managed as part of the August Complex. More information and maps can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6983/.

Firefighters will patrol the Spring Fire located near Deerlick Springs until it is declared controlled and out. Information for the Spring Fire can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7035/.

 

The Salmon Fire, which is burning in the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area, is being managed as part of the Red Salmon Complex. For more information, please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6891.

The US Forest Service is in unified command with CAL FIRE on the Elkhorn Fire. This fire is part of Butte/Tehama/Glenn Complex and information for the complex is available at: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/19/buttetehamaglenn-lightning-complex-tehamaglenn-zone/.  The Elkhorn Fire is burning in the Tomhead Mountain area west of Red Bluff.  Information is available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7071/

 

Area Closures: Order No. 14-20-06 is in effect for the area of the Spring Fire until it is declared out. Order No. 14-20-07 is in effect for the area of the Elkhorn Fire until it is declared out. Please note that Highway 36 remains open to travelers. Order No. 14-20-05 is effective until September 30, 2020 for the Red Salmon Complex area. Fire closure orders and maps are posted online at: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/stnf/forestorders.

 

Fire Restrictions: As a reminder, fire restrictions are in place on the Shasta-Trinity NF. We recommend that you bookmark this webpage as restrictions can change: https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/stnf/forestorders

Smoke Advisories: Smoke from fires in Northern California continues to affect the area. For more information about the air quality in your area, please visit https://fire.airnow.gov/, https://californiasmokeinfo.blogspot.com/, or the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District (NCUAQMD) at http://www.ncuaqmd.org.

Fire Information: Shasta-Trinity NF Lightning fires information is available at 530-628-0039 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or online at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6733/.

Spring Fire:

• Date Reported: August 17, 2020
• Acres Burned: 230 acres
• Percent Contained: 100%
• Cause: Lightning
• Location: south of Deerlick Springs Campground

Resources:

• Engines: 7
• Total Personnel: 32

Current Fire Situation: The Spring Fire remains at 230 acres and is now 100% contained. Firefighters remain on the fire monitoring the firelines. Unburned fuel remains within the perimeter, so some burning is expected to continue.

The Hopkins Fire, burning in the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness on the Mendocino National Forest, has crossed the boundary onto the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. A strategic management plan for protecting values affected by this fire is currently being developed and resources are engaging the fire as it spreads out of the wilderness. The fire is being managed as part of the August Complex. More information can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6983/.

The Salmon Fire, which is burning in the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area, is being managed as part of the Red Salmon Complex. For more information, please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6891.

The US Forest Service is in unified command with CAL FIRE on the Elkhorn Fire. Part of Butte/Tehama/Glenn Complex, information for the complex is available at: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/19/buttetehamaglennlightning-complex-tehamaglenn-zone/.
The Elkhorn Fire is burning in the Tomhead Mountain area west of Red Bluff. Information is available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7071/

Area Closures: Order No. 14-20-06 is in effect for the area of the Spring Fire until it is declared out. Order No. 14-20-07 is in effect for the area of the Elkhorn Fire until it is declared out. Please note that Highway 36 remains open to travelers. Order No. 14-20-05 is effective until September 30, 2020 for the Red Salmon Complex area. Fire closure orders and maps are posted online at: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/stnf/forestorders.

Fire Restrictions: As a reminder, fire restrictions are in place on the Shasta-Trinity NF. We recommend that you bookmark this webpage as restrictions can change: https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/stnf/forestorders

Smoke Advisories: Smoke from fires in Northern California continues to affect the area. For more information about the air quality in your area, please visit https://fire.airnow.gov/, https://californiasmokeinfo.blogspot.com/, or the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District (NCUAQMD) at http://www.ncuaqmd.org.

Fire Information: Shasta-Trinity NF Lightning fires information is available at 530-628-0039 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or online at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6733/.

To download a .pdf version of this News Release, click here.

South Fork Management Unit

Spring Fire

Date Reported: August 17, 2020

Acres Burned: 230 acres Percent Contained: 90%

Cause: Lightning

Location: south of Deerlick Springs Campground

Resources

Engines: 7

Total Personnel: 32

Current Fire Situation: The Spring Fire remains at 230 acres and is now 90% contained.  Firefighters continue to make good progress with extinguishing hot spots along the control lines. The main challenges remain the very rugged and steep terrain with dense fuel.

The Hopkins Fire, which is burning in the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness on the Mendocino National Forest, has crossed the boundary onto the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. It is being managed as part of the August Complex and information can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6983/.

 

The Salmon Fire, which is burning in the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area, is being managed as part of the Red Salmon Complex. For more information, please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6891.

The US Forest Service is in unified command with CAL FIRE on the Elkhorn Fire, which is burning in the Tomhead Mountain area west of Red Bluff. For more information on this fire, part of the BTU/TGU Lightning Complex, please visit: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/19/buttetehamaglenn-lightning-complex-tehamaglenn-zone/.

 

Area Closures: Order No. 14-20-06 is in effect for the area of the Spring Fire until it is declared out. Order No. 14-20-07 is in effect for the area of the Elkhorn Fire until it is declared out. Please note that Highway 36 remains open to travelers. Order No. 14-20-05 is effective until September 30, 2020 for the Red Salmon Complex area. Fire closure orders and maps are posted online at: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/stnf/forestorders.

 

Fire Restrictions: As a reminder, fire restrictions are in place on the Shasta-Trinity NF. We recommend that you bookmark this webpage as restrictions can change: http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/stnf/forestorders.

Smoke Advisories: Smoke from fires in Northern California continues to affect the area. For more information about the air quality in your area, please visit https://fire.airnow.gov/, http://californiasmokeinfo.blogspot.com/, or the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District (NCUAQMD) at http://www.ncuaqmd.org.

Fire Information: Shasta-Trinity NF Lightning fires information is available at 530-628-0039 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or online at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6733/.

 

South Fork Management Unit

Spring Fire

Date Reported: August 17, 2020 Acres Burned: 230 acres Percent Contained: 60%

Cause: Lightning

Location: south of Deerlick Springs Campground

Resources

Engines: 10

Water Tenders: 2

Total Personnel Assigned: 60

Current Fire Situation: The Spring Fire remains at 230 acres and 60% containment.  Firefighters have made good progress with extinguishing hot spots along the control lines. The main challenges remain the very rugged and steep terrain with dense fuel.

 

The Salmon Fire, which is burning in the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area, is being managed as part of the Red Salmon Complex. For more information, please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6891.

The US Forest Service is in unified command with CAL FIRE on the Elkhorn Fire, which is burning in the Tomhead Mountain area west of Red Bluff. For more information on this fire, part of the BTU/TGU Lightning Complex, please visit: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/19/buttetehamaglenn-lightning-complex-tehamaglenn-zone/.

 

Forest officials and firefighters closely monitor and respond to lightning fires.  After thunderstorms, aerial reconnaissance flights will be used to determine potential new starts, growth of existing fires and develop appropriate response activity. The reconnaissance flights are part of our normal operating plan after lightning storms.

Area Closures: Order No. 14-20-06 is in effect for the area of the Spring Fire until it is declared out. Order No. 14-20-07 is in effect for the area of the Elkhorn Fire until it is declared out. Please note that Highway 36 remains open to travelers. Order No. 14-20-05 is effective until September 30, 2020 for the Red Salmon Complex area. Fire closure orders and maps are posted online at: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/stnf/forestorders.

 

Fire Restrictions: As a reminder, fire restrictions are in place on the Shasta-Trinity NF. We recommend that you bookmark this webpage as restrictions can change: http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/stnf/forestorders.

Smoke Advisories: Smoke from fires in Northern California continues to affect the area. For more information about the air quality in your area, please visit https://fire.airnow.gov/, http://californiasmokeinfo.blogspot.com/, or the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District (NCUAQMD) at http://www.ncuaqmd.org.

Fire Information: Shasta-Trinity NF Lightning fires information is available at 530-628-0039 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or online at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6733/.