There will be virtual community information meetings about the Crane Fire tomorrow, Monday, August 24.The first meeting will be held over Facebook Live in English starting at noon and then in Spanish starting at 12:45 p.m.  The meetings will have the same key information shared, although questions may vary.

NORTHWEST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 12

Incident Commander: Jeff Dimke 

There will be Virtual Community Meetings about the Crane Fire tomorrow, August 24 at 12 p.m. (English) and 12:45 p.m. (Spanish) via Facebook Live.

The Crane Fire continues to burn approximately 10 miles southeast of Lakeview, Oregon. Today’s temperatures will be 80-84 degrees with winds 22-24 mph, gusting to 35 mph in the afternoon. A Red Flag Warning is in effect this afternoon and evening for strong, gusty winds with low relative humidity. Isolated thunderstorms are possible starting tonight, with another Red Flag Warning overnight through Monday night for possible lightning on dry fuels. Smoke from fires in California are expected to continue to affect Lake County.

Yesterday’s operations:

Fire crews increased the depth of control lines during mop-up operations on the western side of the fire and burned islands of remaining fuels on the eastern side of the fire. Firefighters used hand tools to construct a control line along Crane Creek and built indirect control lines on the rugged southeastern flank of the fire. Helicopters conducted bucket drops to cool burning concentrations of fuels near control lines.

Today’s operations:

Firefighters are cautiously optimistic that they can complete control lines around most of the fire today. These control lines require additional work to increase depth to ensure existing lines are secured. Fire crews continue mop-up work on the western and northern portions of the fire. Work is ongoing to complete control lines in the challenging terrain of the largely roadless southeastern portion of the fire. Firefighters have been preparing control lines for the forecast winds and Red Flag Warning conditions expected over the next two days. There is an initial attack group of firefighters and engines ready for any new fire starts, and these resources will be positioned to respond if the need arises.

Closures

The Fremont-Winema National Forest issued emergency fire closure order 06-02-02-20-01 for the area between Hwy 140 and the Oregon/California Stateline; and from the Forest Boundary on the west to Forest Roads 3610, 3910, 3910-019 to the Forest Boundary and Road 3915 to the Stateline. This emergency order closes the Twin Springs, Willow Creek, and Deep Creek Campgrounds; Crane Mountain and Rogger Meadow Trailheads; the Crane Mountain Trail and the Oregon Timber Trail from the Stateline north to the Camas Sno-Park.

Safety Message

Hwy 140 remains open. Please be aware of increased fire traffic in the fire area, as well as surrounding communities. The team is working with Lake Health District to protect the community from the threat of COVID-19. 

EQUIPO 12 DE MANEJO DE INCIDENTES DEL NOROESTE

La carretera 140 sigue abierta. Tenga presente el aumento en el tráfico de bomberos en el área del incendio y en las comunidades vecinas. Reduzca la velocidad y tenga precaución cerca del equipo contra incendios. El equipo está trabajando con el Departamento de Salud del distrito de Lake para proteger a la comunidad de la amenaza de la COVID-19. En tiempos de humo intenso, limite las actividades al aire libre, cierre las ventanas de su hogar y utilice circulación del aire interior para reducir la exposición al humo. Obtenga más información en https://go.usa.gov/xfH7p

NORTHWEST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 12
Incident Commander: Jeff Dimke August 22, 2020

The Crane Fire continues to burn approximately 10 miles southeast of Lakeview, Oregon. Today’s weather will be warm and smoky, with high temperatures of 85-88 degrees and winds 12-17 mph gusting to 25 mph in the afternoon. The weather will change tomorrow, and a Red Flag Warning is in effect for Sunday afternoon and evening for strong, dry, gusty winds. Smoke impacts from fires in California are predicted to worsen over the next few days and continue to affect Lakeview and New Pine Creek. This smoke layer over the fire dampens fire activity and limits the ability of helicopters to operate over the fire for water drops. Fire activity is again expected to increase as the smoke layer lifts mid-afternoon.

Yesterday’s operations:
Fire crews continued to strengthen and secure control lines and began mop-up operations on the western side of the fire. Firefighters conducted additional burning operations along the 3915 road on the eastern side of the fire yesterday and last night. Northwest Incident Management Team 12 conducted a pair of virtual community meetings in English and Spanish via Facebook in partnership with the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, the Fremont-Winema National Forest and the South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership (SCOFMP).

Today’s operations:
Firefighters will continue burnout operations along the 3915 road to remove unburned fuels between the control line and the fire. In the southeastern portion of the fire, firefighters continue to build indirect control line and are evaluating options for direct control line construction. This largely roadless area SE of the fire is challenging firefighters working to minimize the fire footprint in this rugged terrain. 

Closures
The Fremont-Winema National Forest issued emergency fire closure order 06-02-02-20-01 for the area between Hwy 140 and the Oregon/California Stateline; and from the Forest Boundary on the west to Forest Roads 3610, 3910, 3910-019 to the Forest Boundary and Road 3915 to the Stateline. This emergency order closes the Twin Springs, Willow Creek, and Deep Creek Campgrounds; Crane Mountain and Rogger Meadow Trailheads; the Crane Mountain Trail and the Oregon Timber Trail from the Stateline north to the Camas Sno-Park.

Safety Message
Hwy 140 remains open. Please be aware of increased fire traffic in the fire area, as well as surrounding communities. Slow down and use caution around fire equipment. The team is working with Lake Health District to protect the community from the threat of COVID-19.  During times of heavy smoke, limit outdoor activities, close windows in your home, and use indoor air circulation to reduce your smoke exposure. Learn more: https://go.usa.gov/xfH7p

REUNIONES COMUNITARIAS VIRTUALES HOY EN FACEBOOK
 
El Equipo 12 del Noroeste está coordinando junto con la Cámara de Comercio del condado de Lake, el Bosque Nacional Fremont-Winema y la Asociación para la Gestión de Incendios del Centro Sur de Oregon (South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership, SCOFMP) la realización de reuniones comunitarias virtuales para el día de hoy. Habrá una reunión comunitaria virtual en inglés a las 5.15 p. m. y una reunión comunitaria virtual en español a las 6.00 p. m. en Facebook Live. Los videos se publicarán tanto en los sitios de la Cámara de Comercio del condado de Lake como en la página del Bosque Nacional Fremont-Winema en http://www.facebook.com/R6FWNF y en la página de SCOFMP en http://www.facebook.com/SCOFMPFIREINFO para aquellas personas que deseen ver la reunión más tarde.

El incendio de Crane está ardiendo en las montañas a 10 millas al sureste de Lakeview, Oregon. Hoy el clima estará soleado y con presencia de humo, habrá una temperatura máxima de 80 grados y vientos de 18 a 22 mph, con ráfagas de 25 a 30 mph por la tarde. Se espera que los impactos del humo de los incendios en California empeoren durante los próximos días y continúen afectando a Lakeview y New Pine Creek. Esta capa de humo sobre el fuego disminuye su actividad y limita la capacidad de los helicópteros para operar sobre este y verter agua. Se espera que la actividad del fuego aumente cuando la capa de humo se levante a mitad de la tarde.
 
Operaciones del día de ayer:
Los equipos de bomberos pudieron asegurar los restantes incendios puntuales de las operaciones de quema del miércoles por la noche y trabajaron para fortalecer las líneas de control en el lado oeste del incendio. El incendio arrasó hasta la carretera 3915 en algunas áreas del lado este del incendio, y los bomberos se ocuparon de controlar el incendio donde se inició en la carretera 3915. Las cuadrillas de bomberos continuarán asegurando y patrullando las áreas a lo largo de la línea de fuego.

Operaciones del día de hoy:
Los bomberos trabajarán en el fortalecimiento de las líneas de control en el flanco occidental del incendio y también se prepararán para las quemas adicionales a fin de asegurar la línea de control por la carretera 3915. Las cuadrillas de bomberos continúan construyendo líneas de control indirecto en busca de oportunidades para disminuir el perímetro del incendio.Cierres

El Bosque Nacional Fremont-Winema emitió una orden de cierre de emergencia por incendio 06-02-02-20-01 para el área entre la autopista 140 y la frontera entre los estados de Oregon/California; y desde el límite del bosque en el oeste hacia las carreteras forestales 3610, 3910, 3910-019 hasta el límite forestal y la carretera 3915 hasta la frontera entre los estados. Esta orden de emergencia cierra Twin Springs, Willow Creek y Deep Creek Campgrounds; Crane Mountain y los senderos Rogger Meadow; el sendero de Crane Mountain y el de Oregon Timber, desde el norte de la frontera de los estados hasta Camas Sno-Park.

There will be virtual community information meetings about the Crane Fire today, Friday, August 21.

 NW Team 12 is coordinating with the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, Fremont-Winema National Forest, and South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership (SCOFMP) to hold Virtual Community Meetings today. There will be an English Virtual Community Meeting at 5:15 PM and a Spanish Virtual Community Meeting at 6 PM on Facebook Live. The videos will be posted on both Lake County Chamber of Commerce sites as well as the Fremont-Winema National Forest page at http://www.facebook.com/R6FWNF and the SCOFMP page at http://www.facebook.com/SCOFMPFIREINFO for those who would like to view the meeting later.

NORTHWEST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 12
Incident Commander: Jeff Dimke 

Northwest Incident Management Team 12 is here to serve the community. The safety of citizens and firefighters is our number one priority. The Team is coordinating with the Lake County Chamber of Commerce and Fremont-Winema National Forest to hold a Virtual Information Meeting this Friday. More information to come. The Crane Fire is burning in the mountains 10 miles southeast of Lakeview, Oregon.
Today’s weather will be sunny and dry, with a high temperature of 84 degrees in the valleys and winds 12-16 mph gusting to 25 mph on the ridges.

Yesterday’s operations:
Fire crews began burnout operations last night in the southwestern portion of the fire after winds were weaker than forecast. Firefighters also responded to multiple spot fires outside of fire lines on the western edge of the fire yesterday. Fire crews continued work to remove vegetation along firelines to prepare for burnout operations. Helicopters made water drops to cool hot spots on the fire. 

Today’s operations:
Firefighters will hold and secure the spot fires located last night and will continue constructing control lines and burning operations today. These burnouts will remove fuels in advance of the fire with a lower intensity burn. Team 12 also has initial attack responsibilities for new fire starts within the overall fire area and is coordinating with the rural fire protection district and ranchers around the fire perimeter to perform structural assessments on homes and ranch buildings. Smoke from fires in California as well as the Crane Fire will continue to impact Lakeview and New Pine Creek and will be visible throughout the area. 

Closures
The Fremont-Winema National Forest issued emergency fire closure order 06-02-02-20-01 for the area between Hwy 140 and the Oregon/California Stateline; and from the Forest Boundary on the west to Forest Roads 3610, 3910, 3910-019 to the Forest Boundary and Road 3915 to the Stateline. This emergency order closes the Twin Springs, Willow Creek, and Deep Creek Campgrounds; Crane Mountain and Rogger Meadow Trailheads; the Crane Mountain Trail and the Oregon Timber Trail from the Stateline north to the Camas Sno-Park.

Safety Message
Hwy 140 remains open. Please be aware of increased fire traffic in the fire area, as well as surrounding communities. Slow down and use caution around fire equipment. 

The team is working in concert with Lake Health District to protect the community from the threat of COVID-19. 
 

LAKEVIEW, Ore. – This morning the Crane Fire remains approximately 1,900 acres with no containment.

Yesterday’s storms provided varying amounts of precipitation over the fire with some areas of heavy rain, but most receiving little to no rain.  Wind speeds were also less than forecast.  Fire behavior was moderated by the weather yesterday, but there was still some spread.

The fire is burning in mixed conifer on steep, rocky terrain with limited road access. 

Yesterday firefighters did excellent work on indirect fireline construction.  They will continue to build indirect firelines today and begin burning materials between those lines and the main fire.  This should strengthen and secure those indirect lines and lead to a rise in containment.

Terrain, fire behavior and weather conditions required fire managers to use an indirect strategy on the Crane Fire.

There are 222 personnel assigned to the Crane Fire, including 8 hand crews, 12 engines, 3 dozers, 3 water tenders, 5 helicopters and 1 fixed-wing aircraft.

There is a Red Flag Warning in effect east of the fire area for thunderstorms.  This may bring potential wind impacts to the Crane Fire.  Fire managers will be monitoring the weather and conditions throughout the day.

Once again, smoke from the Crane Fire is expected to be highly visible from Lakeview, New Pine Creek and the surrounding area this afternoon and evening as conditions dry out.  There may be smoke impacts to local communities depending on wind direction later in the day.  Those with smoke sensitivity should take precautions.

The communities of Lakeview and New Pine Creek are not currently threatened by the fire, but trigger points for evacuation orders are being discussed.

There is a closure in place on National Forest System lands in the South Warner Mountains.  This is formally referenced as Order Number 06-02-02-20-01.  As a result of the closure, Twin Springs, Willow Creek and Deep Creek Campgrounds, Crane Mountain and Rogger Meadow Trailheads, the Crane Mountain National Recreation Trail and the Crane Mountain Recreation Area are all closed.  This includes the Oregon Timber Trail, a mountain bike-packing trail, which utilizes the Crane Mountain Trail.  The trail is closed between the Oregon/California Stateline to Camas Sno-Park.

A local Type 3 Incident Management Team is currently assigned to the Crane Fire.  Northwest Incident Management Team 12, a Type 2 Team, will be taking the fire over this evening.

The Crane Fire is located on Crane Mountain on the Fremont-Winema National Forest Lakeview Ranger District southeast of the town of Lakeview, and was discovered Sunday.  The cause is under investigation.

Fire information is available on Inciweb at www.inciweb.gov/incident/6985.  Updates can also be found through the South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership on Facebook at www.facebook.com/scofmpfireinfo or on Twitter @scofmpfireinfo.

For more information on the Fremont-Winema National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/fremont-winema, follow the Forest on Twitter @FremontWinemaNF or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/R6FWNF. 

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An emergency fire closure is now in effect for the Crane Fire area on the Lakeview Ranger District of the Fremont-Winema National Forest.

The closure area is on the National Forest System land south of Oregon State Highway 140 between Forest Road 3915-170 located east of Warner Canyon Ski Area and Forest Road 3615 south of Camas Sno-Park, extending south to the Oregon/California Stateline.  The western edge of the closure is the National Forest Boundary, while the eastern edge follows Forest Roads 3615, 3910 and 3910-019 to the Forest Boundary and then the 3915 Road to the stateline.
 

Within the closure area are Twin Springs, Willow Creek and Deep Creek Campgrounds, Rogger Meadow and Crane Mountain Trailheads, Crane Mountain Trail and the Crane Mountain Recreation Area.  These recreation sites are all closed due to the emergency fire closure. 
 

As a result of this closure, the Oregon Timber Trail, a mountain bike-packing trail which starts at Cave Lake on the Modoc National Forest connecting to the Crane Mountain Trail at the stateline, is also closed up to Camas Sno-Park. 
 

The closure order is formally referenced as 06-02-02-20-01.  It went into effect this morning and is in effect until conditions allow or December 1, 2020, whichever occurs first.  There will be public notification when the closure order is lifted.
 

Forest visitors are asked to avoid the fire area and related roads while suppression activities continue.  Anyone driving in the area should watch for increased traffic and vehicles associated with wildland firefighting.

Violations of the closure order are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment of not more than 6 months or both.