Cowlitz Complex Fire Update

September 12, 2023

California Incident Management Team 13 is now in command of the Cowlitz Complex. The team would like to recognize the work of Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Two, as well as the local fire personnel and firefighters first to respond to the 30 fires in the complex. These fires started August 25 after a lightning event across the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Maintaining the level of firefighting resources, dedication to safety, and goal of keeping fires small and in their current footprint remain priorities for Team 13, as well as continuing to be ready for any new fire starts or spread.

Current Situation: The Cowlitz Complex is 12% contained with a total of 669 acres and 268 personnel. A warming and drying trend begins on Wednesday. Overnight humidity recovery will worsen by Thursday with above normal temperatures by the end of the week. This could result in increased fire activity. Monday, incoming incident management team personnel got eyes on the complex of fires and reported minimal fire activity on the Grassy Mountain Fire, one of the fires of concern in the complex. The same is true for the Snagtooth and Spencer Quartz fires.

Progress has been made on the Snagtooth and Spencer Quartz fires. Fire managers are using natural barriers, improving road systems, and building indirect line to create a “catcher’s mitt” to prevent the fires from moving toward the southwest.

Fire Restrictions: Fire Restrictions remain in effect. Campfires are prohibited across the Gifford Pinchot National Forest – only propane-fueled fire pits, stoves and lanterns are allowed. Additional information is available on the forest’s website at Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Fire Management (usda.gov). The decision to lift or maintain fire restrictions depends on factors such as current and expected weather conditions, fuel moisture, the level of fire activity, and the availability of firefighting resources to respond to additional ignitions.

Closures: In anticipation of ongoing fire activity in the vicinity of the Snagtooth Fire the following roads and trails are closed to the public to reduce exposure and help ensure public and firefighter safety: Forest Roads 9300 and 9341, Boundary Trail #1 (from Elk Pass to intersection with Summit Prairie), Summit Prairie #2, Craggy Peak #3, Snagtooth #4, Quartz #5, Stabler Camp #17, Wright Meadows #80, Basin Camp #3A, Quartz #5B, Quartz #5C (French Creek), Snyder Pasture #80A. Forest Road 8410 is closed for firefighter and public safety in the vicinity of the Pothole Fire, and Forest Road 78 is temporarily closed between the 7802 junction and the 2278 junction due to hazardous debris rolling out onto the roadway.

Temporary Flight Restrictions: Two TFRs are in effect, one located north of US-12 to Mount Rainier National Park, and a new TFR south of US-12 to include Snagtooth and Spencer Quartz fires. Fire aviation response is halted or delayed if an unauthorized aircraft enters the TFR. Temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems or drones. Learn more: Know Before You Fly.

Fire Information Phoneline: (360) 208-8075 Hours: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.

Email: 2023.cowlitzcomplex@firenet.gov  

Facebook: Facebook/CowlitzComplex  Twitter: https://twitter.com/GPNF

The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests announced a series of road and trail closures in response to the Spring Creek Fire. The fire was reported on the Uncompahgre National Forest approximately 15 miles southwest of Montrose, Colorado on Sept. 10, 2023. 

Due to the fire’s activity on National Forest System lands, the following closures were enacted on September 12 and lifted on September 15, 2023:

National Forest System Roads (NFSR) #535–Paradox road, NFSR #402.9A–Spring Creek Trailhead road, National Forest System Trail (NFST) #116–Spring Creek Trail (from Dented Door to Paradox), NFST #126–Paradox Trail and NFST #114.1B–East Fork of Dry Creek Trail.

This Forest Service closure was enacted for public and firefighter safety and allowed fire crews to focus on suppression efforts. The public was asked to adhere to this closure and pay close attention to all signage.

This closure was lifted at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. 

For questions concerning local emergency closures, please call the Ouray Ranger District (970) 240-5300.

For information on current fire restrictions, conditions and recreation opportunities, visit the forest website or www.westslopefireinformation.com. Connect with us or follow us on social media (Twitter and Facebook).

UMPQUA, Oregon—El buen progreso en la limpieza cerca a hogares ha reducido el número de estructuras amenazadas. La Oficina del Sherrif del Condado de Douglas ha eliminado todas las evacuaciones de Nivel 2 (Listo para evacuar) debido al progreso continuo en el incendio. Las evacuaciones de nivel 1 (Estar preparado ) permanecen en algunas áreas.

La etapa de limpieza de incendios forestales implica extinguir o eliminar material que se está quemando a lo largo o cerca de las líneas de control, talar árboles peligrosos o retirar troncos para limitar materiales que aún se queman y que podrían encender los combustibles cercanos. Los árboles peligrosos son árboles

UMPQUA, Ore.—Good progress on mop up near homes has reduced the number of structures threatened. All Level 2 (Be Set) evacuations have been removed by the Douglas County Sherrif’s Office due to continued progress on the fire. Level 1 (Be Ready) evacuations remain for some areas.

The mop up stage of wildland firefighting involves extinguishing or removing burning material along or near controls lines, felling hazard trees, or moving logs to limit still burning materials that could ignite nearby fuels. Hazard trees are standing dead trees that create safety concerns for personnel.

Size: 2,023 acres

Start Date:  August 25, 2023

Cause: naturally caused, lightning

Location: 1.5 miles south of Bull Run Reservoir #1 near the junction of Forest Roads 1210 and 12

Containment: 44%

Total personnel: 451

Updated phone number for Camp Creek Fire information: 971-334-7674

Current Situation: Great Basin Team 1 transferred command of the Camp Creek Fire to Pacific Northwest Team 3 Incident Management Team at 8:00 p.m. yesterday. Pacific Northwest Team 3 will continue working to keep the Camp Creek fire as small as possible, while providing for public and firefighter safety. Yesterday the fire remained within the existing footprint as fire crews worked to further secure the fireline, prepare alternate lines further from the fire edge, and scout for opportunities to take direct action closer the fire edge, where possible.

Today’s activities: Firefighters will continue engaging in suppression actions to keep the fire within established control lines and minimize fire spread. On the northern edge, firefighters continue with mop up operations to add depth and further secure the fireline. Crews will continue working to prepare and improve Forest Roads 12 and 1211 to serve as alternate firelines. East of the fire, where very steep terrain and heavy fuels have limited opportunities thus far for direct suppression at the fire edge, firefighters will continue scouting for options to take direct suppression actions. To the south, additional mop up to further secure the fireline will continue as will hauling of vegetation from the fire area.

Weather: Seasonally average temperatures and slightly higher humidity levels are expected through mid-week, with warmer and drier conditions likely into the weekend. Fire activity continues to be minimal, primarily creeping and smoldering.

Smoke: Current smoke outlook: https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/2c7a8f9b

Closures: Barlow Wayside Park and the Sandy Ridge Recreation Site are temporarily closed due to fire activity. Clackamas County residents can sign up at https://www.clackamas.us/dm/publicalerts to receive emergency alerts via email, phone, or text.

Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is issued over the fire area. It is illegal for the public to fly drones over or near wildfires because of the potential for accidents and disruption of suppression operations. Regardless of the fire, aircraft is not permitted to fly over the Bull Run Watershed Management Unit.

Operational Briefing Video: View the September 12, 2023 Operational Update Video (8:16)

Fire Update

2023 SRF Lightning Complex & Redwood Lightning Complex

Tuesday, September 12, 2023 – 9:00 a.m.

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1

Dan Dallas, Incident Commander

Information Phone: 530-536-0767

Email: 2023.lightningcomplex@firenet.gov

Information Staffing Hours: 8 am to 8 pm

Special Note: This update covers 8 of the 20 fires being managed as part of the Complexes. The remaining 12 fires are listed in the accompanying Complex Overview. Those fires, totaling 2,488 acres, are contained and in patrol status. They are checked daily, and their size and containment are unlikely to change.

Current Situation: The 20 fires in this incident total 19,162 acres and overall containment is 18%. The 8 uncontained fires described below total 16,674 acres. These fires are all in Six Rivers National Forest. A total of 1,016 personnel are assigned to the incident. Current fire, weather, and fuels conditions on the 2023 SRF Lightning Complex are at near optimum for using carefully managed fire as a tool to accomplish fire suppression objectives and protect communities, cultural resources, and other values. Agency administrators and fire managers, in consultation with tribal leaders, are implementing a Strategic Firing Plan, and a Firing Group is being utilized to take advantage of strategic firing opportunities throughout the Complex as conditions allow.

Pearch Fire (5430 acres, 9% contained) – Crews continue to patrol completed firelines and mop up and secure the fire perimeter on the south and west side of the fire. Backhauling and staging of surplus supplies and equipment is underway. An area of active fire continues to back downslope into the Butler Creek drainage on the eastern side of the fire. Firefighters are aware of this activity and are watching the area throughout each day. There are currently no threats, and no action is needed at this time. The structure protection group remains in the area and a night shift of engines continues to work the Pearch Fire.

Bluff #1 (2193 acres, 20% contained) and Mosquito (2769 acres, 20% contained) Fires –A containment “box” of direct and indirect firelines has been completed around the fires. Fire managers are using aerial and hand strategic firing operations to complete the objective of full suppression of these fires, while also reducing excess fuels to lessen the occurrence or intensity of future fires. Yesterday, about 200 acres were successfully ignited adjacent to the Bluff and Mosquito fires. Increasing relative humidity from an onshore weather pattern limited further firing. Similar weather is expected today, and this may again limit firing operations. Any firing that may occur will be slow and methodical over multiple days to allow monitoring of effectiveness and to make adjustments as needed. Residents can expect to see more smoke during firing operations. This is an expected result and not an indicator that the fires have escaped or present a threat. This operation has been carefully planned and coordinated with cooperating agencies and tribal leaders. Work on these two fires, as well as others in the Complex, is being closely coordinated with tribal resource advisors to ensure that important cultural and historical resources are protected and traditional indigenous cultural and ecological practices are respected.

Crews continue to work on additional priorities in Branch XX. Masticators are performing brush removal work along the Nickowitz Road, and this work should last another 4-5 days.

Blue Creek #2 (3578 acres, 0% contained), Marlow (1589 acres, 0% contained), and Copper (1034 acres, 0% contained) Fires – These fires are being patrolled by aerial resources as weather conditions allow. They are bounded by indirect control lines to the east and south, and significant growth of these fires is not expected.

Monument (2 acres, 0% contained) and Let er-Buck (79 acres, 0% contained)  Fires – Due to limited values at risk, the remote, steep terrain and associated safety concerns for our firefighters, and the low probability of success using standard suppression tactics, these fires are being addressed with a confinement strategy. Terrain, natural fire barriers such as rock outcroppings, and old fire footprints where fuels are limited will be used to confine fire growth until season ending precipitation extinguishes the fires. These fires are checked regularly by aerial patrols to ensure they remain within acceptable bounds, and very little fire growth has been observed.

Weather: Increased onshore flow today will bring breezier W-NW winds Temperatures will range from 70s on Bluff Fire to 80s on Pearch Fire. Gradual drying will occur Tuesday night and Wednesday with warning and drying on Thursday and Friday.

For information on Closures, Evacuations, and Alert Notifications please see the accompanying Complex Overview.

Fire Information Contacts

Phone: 530-536-0767 | Email: 2023.lightningcomplex@firenet.gov

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/casrf-2023-srf-lightning-complex

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2023SRFRedwoodLightning

Redwood National and State Parks Information Hotline: Phone: 707-464-6101

https://www.nps.gov/redw/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Hoopa Information Hotline: Phone: 530-618-2995 | Email: serene.oes@gmail.com

More Fire Information Links: www.linktr.ee/srffirepio

NOTE: For information about the Elliot or Hancock Fires which are part of the

Happy Camp Complex, please visit https://linktr.ee/happycampcomplex2023 .

The Chilcoot Fire is currently 1,769 acres with 40% containment. The Ridge Fire is currently 219 acres with 95% containment.

Northwest Team 12 will transfer command of the Umpqua Fires to Northwest Team 6 at 8 PM tonight – this includes the three Branch I fires near Cottage Grove and the Chilcoot and Ridge Fires on Branch II.

Chilcoot Fire: Yesterday’s reconnaissance flight on the southwest corner showed little heat and fire activity. Firefighters completed extensive handline construction near the Hipower Bluffs and fire managers consider that area  contained. The excavator completed its repair work as well, while grading continues along the 3806 Road. The Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) previously assigned to the Branch I fires has been transferred to the Chilcoot fire. Today the UAS crew will begin aerial overflights of the north flank to ensure hot spots are extinguished and to assist in planning repair actions.

Ridge Fire: The wildland fire module (WFM) remains engaged on the Ridge Fire today. This 9-member WFM provides an innovative, highly mobile, versatile, and logistically independent team. Work will continue today on hazard tree mitigation along roads and transportation corridors. Due to the slightly increased smoldering across the forest floor, there are two engines working the fire today.

Weather: Yesterday a low-pressure system moved into Washington and British Columbia. The weather front caused thin stratus clouds and onshore wind flows that will continue through today. Valley temperatures today will range from 70-76, with those on the ridges 66-72. Winds in the afternoon will gust up to 15 mph. This week there will be increasing temperatures and lower relative humidity as we enter a warming and drying trend.

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 the fire area that is being evaluated for downsizing.

Chilcoot and Ridge Fire Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chilcootridgefires2023/  

Fire Information: (541) 900-5862, 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM     

Email: 2023.chilcoot@firenet.gov

Brice Creek, Dinner, and Grizzly Fires

NW IMT12 Branch I

September 12, 2023

Daily Fire Update

Brice Creek, Dinner, and Grizzly Fires

Total personnel:  301 | Total Resources:  7 engines; 7 crews; 1 helicopter; 6 heavy equipment; 2 water tenders

This evening at 8 PM NW IMT12 will be transitioning command of the Umpqua Fires to Type 2 NW IMT 6.

Brice Creek Fire: Size: 588 acres | Start Date: August 24, 2023 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 50%

Fire personnel kept busy on the Brice Creek Fire yesterday. Engine and crewmembers fired off a portion of the east flank of the fire, bringing fire down to the Forest Service Road (FSR) 22. An Unmanned Aerial System (UAS/drone) flew the fire, seeking heat with an infrared sensor. On the other flanks of the fire, firefighters patrolled the fire perimeter looking for any remaining heat sources close to containment lines. Today, firefighters will engage in small scale firing operations as needed, mopping up the fire’s edge, and seeking heat sources using UAS data.

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

The work on the Dinner Fire is winding down. Firefighters yesterday and today will patrol the fire perimeter, ensuring that all threats to the lines are mitigated. Wildland fire threats persist long after the flames have died down. Deep stump holes can hold fire smoldering for weeks or even months, fire weakened trees can fall over long after the fire has been extinguished, and damage to the landscape can affect water flow. Fire crews are committed to minimizing these threats as much as possible.

Grizzly Fire: Size:  111 acres | Start Date: August 24, 2023 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 0%

Yesterday, two heavy helicopters dropped water on flare-ups on the Grizzly Fire. Each helicopter dropped 6,000 gallons of water for a total of 12,000 gallons, mostly on the west side of the fire. Warming temperatures and lower relative humidity are expected later in the week, and fire management is working to minimize fire activity before that takes place. Today, firefighters will monitor the incident utilizing UAS and visual data to determine if more water drops are needed and were. The Grizzly Fire will have 47 personnel working on the fire for today’s shift.

Weather:  Temperatures will range from 65-75° with minimum relative humidity in the range of 35-50%. Winds will be out of the northwest-north 10-12 mph with gusts to 15 mph.

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:  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. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction over the fire area.

Brice Creek Fire Inciweb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orupf-brice-creek-fire

Dinner Fire Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orupf-dinner-fire

Grizzly Fire Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orupf-grizzly-fire

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bricecreekdinnergrizzlyfires2023/

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

Happy Camp Complex Daily Update

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Community Meeting

In-person & Virtual via Facebook Live Wednesday, September 13, 2023 6:00pm

Karuk Tribe People’s Center 64236 2nd Avenue Happy Camp, CA

WEATHER: The weather today remains hot and dry with mostly sunny skies.

Smoke and fog in the valley, causing an inversion, will lift in the early afternoon. Northwest winds will be 6 to 12 MPH with gusts up to 20 MPH. A warming and drying trend will begin tomorrow and continue through the weekend. Cooler conditions are anticipated next week.

WEST SIDE OVERVIEW (ACRES/CONTAINMENT): Elliot (8,971 acres, 51%), Ufish

(5,281 acres, 33%), Hancock (1,740 acres, 100%).

Work continues along the State Route 96 corridor. On the Ufish Fire, tactical firing operations using Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS/drone technology) continue today, as conditions allow. These ignitions will continue for the next two days, reducing unburned fuels within the existing fire perimeter.

On the Elliot Fire, crews continue to mop up and patrol indirect containment lines on Forest Road 19, remove hazard trees on the north portion of the fire, and monitor for additional spotting. The fire is currently slowly backing down Pony Peak and being monitored by air resources. Aircraft will be ready to respond, if necessary. Personnel previously on the Kings & Hancock Fire have been reassigned to other priority areas on the Complex. All crews have been extracted via aircraft.

EAST SIDE OVERVIEW (ACRES/CONTAINMENT): Head (6,942 acres, 100%),

Townsend (81 acres, 100%), Den (294 acres, 100%), Scott (918 acres, 100%), Lake

(200, acres, 100%), King (2 acres, 100%)

Suppression repair work and patrolling will continue on the east side of the Happy Camp Complex, along with hazard tree abatement. One spot fire, outside the fire perimeter, was contained using helicopters to drop buckets of water. Smoke may still be present in some areas but does not pose major threats to containment lines. All fires on the east side of the Complex will continue to be patrolled and observed daily by infrared flights to detect residual heat on the land.

Due to fires on the Six Rivers Lighting Complex, the Happy Camp Complex, and additional fire activity occurring as far as the Canadian region, increased smoke can be expected in Happy Camp, Seiad Valley, and surrounding communities. For more information on the Six Rivers Lightning Complex, go to http://www.linktr.ee/srffirepio.

EVACUATIONS: View current Siskiyou County evacuation orders and warnings by visiting https://community.zonehaven.com. Siskiyou County residents are encouraged to sign up for rapid emergency notifications using the CodeRED emergency alert system at: https://bit.ly/SiskiyouCodeRedEmergencyAlert.

CLOSURES AND DELAYS:

•            One-way traffic control is possible on Highway 96, 11.7 miles east of Scott River Rd to 13.7 miles east of Scott River Rd and from 0.4 miles west of Scott River Rd to 2.2 miles east of Scott River Rd. Motorists can expect delays in this area. Find more information at https://roads.dot.ca.gov/.

•            Two closure orders have been implemented in the Klamath National Forest. Find more information at https://bit.ly/KlamathNFAlertsNotices.

•            As hunting season begins, please be aware of area closures within national forests. Contact local Forest Service offices for specific information.

Size: 2,515 acres
Start Date: August 16, 2023
Cause: Lightning
Completion: 47%
Total personnel: 203
Location: 11 miles northeast of Young, Arizona and 27 miles
east of Payson, Arizona
Fuels: Ponderosa Pine, Hardwood litter and timber
Highlights: Tonto National Forest Type 3 Fire Management Team will be hosting a community meeting tonight at 6pm MST. The meeting will be located at the Christopher Creek Jesus Christ Church of Latter-Day Saints. Please use the Christopher Creek Rd Loop entrance. ASL Interpretation will be provided.
Operations: Yesterday, crews on the northwest fire perimeter worked on improving hand lines, scouting containment lines, and familiarizing with the area as tactical firing operations continue to move west toward FSRD 411. Crews and aerial resources on the eastern perimeter of the fire continued monitoring, building depth, and bringing fire south down the 512 road to the 411 road intersection. Today, resources will hold and monitor as wetting rains and scattered storms are expected across the fire area.
Fire Ecology: One of the first things that fire has to do to a piece of fuel in order for it to burn is to drive the moisture out of it, and that takes a lot of energy. The more moisture, the more heat the fire has to ‘spend’ to get a piece of fuel to burn (a leaf or a needle or a twig). Fire managers monitor moisture levels in the leaves of some of the types of vegetation that are likely to burn in a fire. The more moisture, the less likely they are to burn or, if they do burn, the more moderate the fire behavior will be because it takes a LOT of energy to drive the moisture out of the leaves so they can burn.
Weather: Yesterday, conditions were dryer than previous days, as much of the moisture remained to the east of the fire area. Today, scattered showers and wetting rains are expected through Wednesday. Thursday will see a shift back to warmer and dryer weather that will last through the weekend.
Closures: An emergency closure order for the Valentine Fire has gone into effect as of 6 a.m. Sept. 5, 2023. The public is asked to avoid the fire area. The purpose of the closure order is to protect public health and safety during the Valentine Fire, and to protect assigned firefighting personnel engaging in wildland firefighting operations. Signs and gates will be in place to remind the public not to enter the fire area. Please visit the Alerts and Notices page for more information. https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices.
Safety: The health and safety of firefighters, and the public are always the highest priority. Members of the public are asked to avoid the fire area.
Smoke: The fire will produce considerable amount of smoke due excessive fuel accumulation. Smoke from the Valentine Fire may be visible in the surrounding areas for many days. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures an interactive smoke map at https://www.airnow.gov/wildfires/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.
Information Links and Contacts:
Tonto National Forest https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/tonto/fire
InciWeb https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/aztnf-valentine-fire Fire Email 2023.valentine@firenet.gov
Fire Information Line (928)-421-4579 • Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00PM