QUARTZ RIDGE FIRE

September 18, 2023                   

Type 3 Team, Incident Commander: Nathan Hallam 

Daily Update – 9:00 AM 

This update will continue to occur every other day unless significant activity occurs.

Highlights: Smoke production from both fires may be visible. Sunny skies and warmer temperatures continue over the next few days. Drying and warmer weather will likely increase fire activity within the fire perimeter of both fires. With the return of clear skies and dry weather, fire activity is expected to increase slightly allowing for additional smoke production over both fires. Prescribed burning activity is in the area south of Hwy 160. 

Quartz Ridge Fire:  2,850 acres | 35 personnel assigned 

An increase of two acres was measured on the Quartz Ridge Fire. Firefighting crews continue to focus on improving the shaded fuel break lines on the East Fork Road. Steady improvement of the firebreak lines will be priority for Quartz Ridge fire crews with anticipation of the project along the 684 road into the operational shift. As this weather matrix continues to warm and dry, expect to see increased fire activity and smoke production. 

Weather: Fall weather continues with mostly clear skies. Daytime temperatures are expected to be in the low 60s while the overnight temperatures will fall below the low 40s; the highest elevations are approaching freezing. Light winds out of the west at 5 – 10mph with gusts up to 15mph will be present over the next few days. A change in the weather pattern is expected as early as Wednesday where winds will ramp up with potential gusts up to 30mph.  

San Juan National Forest Temporary Closures: Closure orders are in effect and additional information can be found here: Quartz Ridge Closure and Bear Creek Closure. Roads and trails within the Quartz Fire area are Quartz Meadows Rd (NFSR#684), Quartz Ridge Trail (NFST#570), Quartz Creek Trail (NFST#571). The trails within the Bear Creek Fire area are Little Sand Trail (NFST #591) and Shaw Creek Trail (NFST#584). 

Fire Information Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Phone: 970-426-5370

BEAR CREEK FIRE

September 18, 2023                   

Type 3 Team, Incident Commander: Nathan Hallam 

Daily Update – 9:00 AM 

This update will occur every other day unless significant activity occurs.

Highlights: Smoke production from both fires may be visible. Sunny skies and warmer temperatures continue over the next few days. Drying and warmer weather will likely increase fire activity within the fire perimeter of both fires. With the return of clear skies and dry weather, fire activity is expected to increase slightly allowing for additional smoke production over both fires. Prescribed burning activity is in the area south of Hwy 160. 

Bear Creek Fire:  1093 acres | 20 personnel assigned 

Bear Creek Fire continues to warm and dry as sunny skies continue. Smoke may be visible in the Weminuche Valley, west of Weminuche and south of Falls Creek. The cooler temperatures at night in the Weminuche Valley have crews winterizing pumps and hose lay nightly.   Crews have been verifying functionality and adequate coverage of structure protection water handling systems.  

Weather: Fall weather continues with mostly clear skies. Daytime temperatures are expected to be in the low 60s while the overnight temperatures will fall below the low 40s; the highest elevations are approaching freezing. Light winds out of the west at 5 – 10mph with gusts up to 15mph will be present over the next few days. A change in the weather pattern is expected as early as Wednesday where winds will ramp up with potential gusts up to 30mph.  

San Juan National Forest Temporary Closures: Closure orders are in effect and additional information can be found here: Quartz Ridge Closure and Bear Creek Closure. Roads and trails within the Quartz Fire area are Quartz Meadows Rd (NFSR#684), Quartz Ridge Trail (NFST#570), Quartz Creek Trail (NFST#571). The trails within the Bear Creek Fire area are Little Sand Trail (NFST #591) and Shaw Creek Trail (NFST#584). 

Fire Information Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Phone: 970-426-5370  

Air support resources were grounded yesterday afternoon due to a private drone flying within the fire’s airspace creating a dangerous situation. Flying drones grounds all of our aircraft, preventing operations. Air resources are critical to fire suppression efforts, often providing lifesaving operations in addition to fire suppression. Remember – IF YOU FLY, WE CAN’T

Brice Creek Fire: Size: 588 acres | Start Date: August 24, 2023 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 55%

Yesterday, favorable weather conditions allowed firefighting crews to improve lines around unburned pockets and secure fire lines. Crews finished mop up work in the southwest area of the fire, where pockets of unburned fuel have been active. Today, suppression efforts will continue to hold, secure, mop up control lines, and work on contingency lines. Helicopter bucket work is anticipated, and smoke will continue to show within the fire perimeter.

Dinner Fire: Size:  304 acres | Start Date: August 24, 2023 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 95%

On Sunday crews completed mopping up. No smoke or heat was found within 100 – 200 feet from the perimeter. The fire is expected to be placed in patrol status today and will be monitored for any new activity. Smoke from interior islands of unburned fuel can be expected well into fall and early winter. This is the last update for Dinner Fire unless conditions change.

Grizzly Fire: Size:  237 acres | Start Date: August 24, 2023 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 0%

Yesterday, aircraft brought water to the Grizzly Fire to slow its movement toward Champion Creek. At 6:30    pm air resources were grounded when a privately owned drone was observed within the fire’s airspace. Today, air resources will focus on keeping the fire east of Champion Creek. Crews will work in coordination with air resources near Champion Creek Road. Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) will continue prepping structures along Champion Creek Road.

Weather:  Cooler and moister. Ridgetop temperatures 68-74 degrees; Humidity 40-50%. In the valleys temperatures will be 76-79 degrees with humidity 27-34%.  

Evacuations:  Lane County issued a Level 2 Evacuation (Be Set) for all private lands and mining claims in the Bohemia areas within the Cottage Grove Ranger District of the Umpqua National Forest.

Safety and Closures: Please remember to stay out of the fire area; this includes flying any unmanned aircraft (drones). If you fly we can’t. There is a forest closure for portions of the Umpqua National Forest in response to fire activity in the area to protect public and firefighter safety.  There is a Temporary Flight Restriction over the fire area.  

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bricecreekdinnergrizzlyfires2023/
Fire Information: (541) 900-5862, 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM     
Email: 2023.dinner@firenet.gov

With the decrease in fire activity, new updates for the Chilcoot Fire will be posted on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays unless a significant event or situation change warrant more frequent updates.

Northwest Team 6 is managing multiple fires in the area. In addition to the fire listed in this update NW Team 6 is managing the Ridge, Brice Creek, Dinner, and Grizzly Fires on the Umpqua National Forest.

Chilcoot Fire: Size: 1,769 acres | Start Date: August 24, 2023 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 60%                           

Firefighters planned a strategic firing operation yesterday along the southern perimeter of the Chilcoot Fire to secure indirect containment lines but not all fuels within the targeted areas were receptive to ignition. Fire managers will continue firing operations on the southern flank as conditions allow. Crews will take advantage of cooler conditions today, targeting areas of heat close to containment lines and utilizing aircraft for water drops to secure containment lines.

Yesterday there was an unauthorized drone intrusion on the Grizzly Fire that resulted in the immediate grounding of all fire aviation resources. Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are put in place over fire areas to provide for the safety of firefighting resources both on the ground and in the air. Unauthorized drones pose a serious risk to pilot and firefighter safety and impact the effectiveness of fire suppression operations. If you fly, we can’t.

Weather: A cold front moves through the region today which will bring cooler temperatures and slightly higher relative humidities. Today will be mostly cloudy in the morning then becoming sunny in the afternoon with temperatures in the mid-60s to mid-70s with winds of about 5-9 mph out of the northwest with gusts of 15 mph on the ridges.

Smoke: Smoke outlooks are available at https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/467b8c16?

Safety and Closures:  There is a forest closure for portions of the Umpqua National Forest in response to fire activity in the area to protect public and wildland firefighter safety. A Closure Order for the Canton Creek area has been issued by Bureau of Land Management (BLM): Chilcoot Ridge Fire Emergency Closure Order BLM Roseburg District. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction over these fires.

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Fire Information: (541) 900-5862, 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM 
Email: 2023.chilcoot@firenet.gov

South Fork Complex Update

Monday, September 18, 2023

Fire Information: 208-510-7856, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Email: 2023.southforkcomplex@firenet.gov

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/2023southforkcomplex

3-9 Fire: 2,840 acres with 85% containment                Pellitreau Fire: 3 acres with 100% containment

Pilot Fire: 1,055 acres with 100% containment           Sulphur Fire: 31 acres with 100% containment

3,929 acres and 90% overall containment for the South Fork Complex

A total of 193 personnel, crews, air support, engines, dozers, and water tenders support the incident.

3-9 Fire – Crews continue mop-up and suppression repair operations along contingency lines. Engines are patrolling the fire perimeter while managing the interior heat. Crews are working closely with Resource Advisors from the United States Forest Service to address concerns with tribal, cultural, and natural resources in the area.

The Pilot Fire is 100% contained. Crews will continue to patrol the fire perimeter while actively engaged in suppression repair.

The Pellitreau Fire and the Sulfur Fire are 100% contained. Firefighters continue to patrol the fires periodically to ensure fire remains within containment lines.

Weather: Dry weather is expected on Monday. Winds will be light southeasterly in the morning, becoming west northwest in the afternoon. Wind gusts are expected to be 10 to 15 miles per hour (mph) during the afternoon. A cooling trend continues, with afternoon highs in the low 80s with afternoon humidity dropping to around 35-45%.

Forest Closure: Forest Closure orders for the South Fork Complex Fire continue to be in effect and are posted on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and the Six Rivers National Forest websites. Please avoid closed areas.

Today is the last day information will be updated on Inciweb for the Tyee Ridge Complex.  For updates visit https://www.facebook.com/DouglasForestProtectiveAssociation.

Lookout, Horse Creek, Pothole & Bedrock Fires 

Monday, September 18, 2023 - Morning Update  

Lookout, Horse Creek and Pothole Fires Total Personnel: 763  Assigned Resources: 24 engines l 12 crews l 4 dozers l 23 water tenders l 7 masticators l 4 helicopters l 2 skidders 

Lookout Fire: Size: 25,467 acres l Start Date: August 5 l Cause: Lightning l Containment: 50% 

Firefighters held containment lines as fire activity increased Sunday afternoon. Helicopters and Fire Bosses (single engine fixed-wing air tankers) dropped water on the northern perimeter. More seasonable cooler weather is returning to the fire area Monday, which is expected to moderate fire activity through the week. Although the fire will be less active, firefighters have an array of tasks to complete on this wildfire, including mop up, slash chipping, woody debris removal, repairing dozer lines, and building water bars. Water bars, or small trench constructed with hand tools or excavators on a sloping containment line, are erosion control measures designed to channel water in burned areas. The post-suppression operations are essential to restoring the area to a natural state before seasonal rain and snow arrive to prevent roads from washing out, reduce future fuel loading and provide protection for waterways. 

Horse Creek Fire: Size: 763 acres l Start Date: August 24 l Cause: Lightning l Containment: 100% 

The Horse Creek Fire is now 100 percent contained. Patrol and mop up operations are ongoing, while also repairing containment lines. One of the immediate tasks includes chipping and removing woody debris so that this material does not become a potential hazard to forest users or a future fuel source for wildfires. 

Pothole Fire: Size: 109 acres l Start Date: August 25 l Cause: Lightning l Containment: 100%  

The Pothole Fire is 100 percent contained. Firefighters continue to patrol and monitor. Resources are repairing the impact on the landscape, as a big part of firefighting is the clean-up process after a fire is contained. 

Bedrock Fire: Total Personnel: 107 | Size: 31,590 acres l Start Date: July 22 l Cause: under investigation l Containment: 98%   

Assigned Resources: 5 engines l 2 crews l 13 water tenders l 3 masticators l 3 dozers l 1 skidder  

Following the guidance of resource advisors, fire crews and heavy equipment operators are engaged in suppression repair throughout the Bedrock Fire perimeter. A significant amount of work remains even though the fire is mostly contained. Resources committed to stabilizing the burned area still face hazards. The Fall Creek area features steep, inaccessible terrain and has had four large wildfires in the last 20 years (Bedrock, Gales, Jones and Clark fires). Many of the road systems remain unsafe for travel and one of the suppression repair missions is to maintain safe forest access for the public, forest staff and firefighters for years to come. 

Weather: A trough or cold front will bring offshore flow into the region Monday. Expect increased cloud cover, lower temperatures, and higher relative humidities into Tuesday. Max temperatures will be in the mid-70s and minimum relative humidity will be 25 to 35 percent. There is a chance of precipitation across the fire area on Wednesday and Thursday with below average temperatures and high relative humidities into the weekend. 

Linn County Evacuations: A Level 1 (Be Ready) evacuation notice remains in place for the Lookout Fire. Visit the Linn County Sheriff’s Office website for current info: https://www.linnsheriff.org/wildfire_live_updates. 

Lane County Evacuations: There are NO evacuations for the Bedrock Fire. Near the Horse Creek and Lookout fires, Horse Creek Road east of the Horse Creek Bridge remains in Level 2 (Be Set) evacuation status. Additionally, some areas along Highway 126 and the eastern portion of Blue River Reservoir are under a Level 1 (Ready) evacuation notice. Visit the Lane County website for more information and to view the interactive evacuation map: https://www.lanecountyor.gov/cms/one.aspx?pageId=19729054  

Forest Closures: Emergency closure orders remain in place for the Willamette National Forest. These closure can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices/?aid=61574. Hunters are encouraged to check current Forest closures before heading out. Keep in mind, these closures are in place for both public and firefighters safety. For current information regarding Oregon hunting regulations, contact Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife at (503) 947-6000 or visit https://myodfw.com 

Restrictions: Fire Restrictions are in place on the Willamette National Forest. For more information, visit the Willamette National Forest website. Temporary Flight Restrictions remain in place over the Bedrock and Lookout Fire areas. 

Smoke Outlook: https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/4c92bc1a The Fire and Smoke Map (fire.airnow.gov) is another source for air quality information.    

Lookout Fire Information:  Email: 2023.lookout@firenet.gov   

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LookoutFire2023  

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/orwif-lookout-fire   

Bedrock Fire Information: Email: 2023.bedrock@firenet.gov   

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BedrockFire2023/ 

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwif-bedrock-fire 

Fire Information Phone Line: 541-215-6735 (staffed 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.) 

Smith River Complex North

Update for Monday, September 18, 2023

Size: 92,180 total/ 12,460 in Oregon                                             

Start Date:  August 15, 2023

Location: Grants Pass, OR

Containment: 65%

Total personnel: 1,473 for Complex

Cause: Lightning

Resources: 37 crews   11 helicopters   66 engines   8 bulldozers   26 water tenders   14 masticators   1 Skid Steer  
 

Yesterday: Containment line was increased on the northern edge of the fire to bring containment to 65%. Fire managers are confident the fire will not cross that line, even when challenged by changing weather conditions. Minimal fire activity remains in the interior of the fire area. Crews cleaned up pockets of unburned vegetation on the northwest edge of the fire. Fire activity increased slightly in the powerline corridor and containment lines held.

Today’s Activities:  Crews will continue to monitor, mop up, and secure control of the north and northwest portions of the fire boundary and continue to protect the powerline corridor along the 316 road. On the east side of the fire, crews are removing hose, temporary water tanks, and other fire suppression infrastructure around private property, since fire spread is no longer a risk in that area.

Smoke: Expect decreasing smoke throughout the area today with reduced local fire activity. GOOD air quality in Grants Pass, Medford, and Ashland; O'Brien and Cave Junction will experience smoke impacts through afternoon. Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on weather; check current conditions at: https://bit.ly/SWORsmoke

Closures: The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest issued an area and road closure for a 400-yard-wide corridor centered on Forest Road 1106 (South Elk Mountain Road), Forest Road 1205 (Lower Wheeler Road), and Forest Road 1983 (Mt. Emily Road) beginning yesterday, September 14 through October 31, 2023. The closure allows for safe operations related to the Smith River Complex North. Closures on BLM land are in place, as well. Visit bit.ly/RRSNFAlerts or https://www.blm.gov/orwafire for additional information.

Road Closures and Delays: Caltrans in Del Norte County issued a schedule of road closures and lane restrictions on US-199. Weekdays will have a combination of road closure and lane restrictions. Over the weekend, the road will remain open, but with lane restrictions and pilot cars. Expect delays. For specific information on road access, please see the Caltrans QuickMap site https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ and Oregon Department of Transportation’s https://www.tripcheck.com/. Local law enforcement cautions against any non-essential traffic along this route. Navigation apps and mapping programs have been routing travelers into active fire areas. Do not use forest roads as alternate routes.

Evacuations: Monitor the Rogue Valley Emergency Management site and sign up for evacuation alerts and updates at https://rvem.org/. An interactive Fire First Response Map with evacuation areas can also be found there.

Restrictions: Please respect the temporary flight restriction (TFR) established for the Smith River Complex. Keep drones away from firefighting operations and the TFR. If you fly, we can’t. Don’t be the reason a firefighting air mission has to divert! For more information on the TFR, visit https://tfr.faa.gov/.

Team 3 transfers command back to DFPA

UMPQUA, Ore.— Today Oregon Department of Forestry’s Incident Management Team 3 will transfer command of the Tyee Ridge Complex back to Douglas Forest Protective Association.  The complex will be managed by a Type 3 organization comprised of Douglas Forest Protective Association, Bureau of Land Management, Oregon Department of Forestry, and contract personnel.   

The complex is 90% contained, with mop up activities continuing on the Cougar Creek and Lighthouse #3 fires.  The Type 3 organization will also be backhauling fire hose and other equipment and completing repair activities across the complex.