Lookout/Horse Creek/Pothole Fires/Bedrock

September 5, 2023

Morning Update

ALERT: There may be short closures on Highway 126 as firefighters are removing fire damaged hazard trees.

Lookout: Total Personnel: 793

Size: 24,581 acres l Start Date: August 5, 2023 l Cause: Lightning l Containment: 20%

Resources: 33 engines l 15 crews l 7 bulldozers l 27 water tenders l 8 masticators l 5 helicopters l 1 Skidder

Fire activity was minimal on Monday. Today, mastication along contingency lines, and hauling of logs will continue on the north side. The focus on the east side will be hazard tree removal and suppression of hot spots. Crews and equipment continue to prepare and improve primary and alternate lines along the west side, looking for opportunities to go more direct.

Horse Creek: Total Personnel: 161

Size: 765 acres l Start Date: August 24, 2023 l Cause: Lightning l Containment: 30%

Resources: 12 engines l 3 crews l 4 bulldozers l 9 water tenders l 3 masticators l 3 Skidders l 1 Excavators

Yesterday firefighters actions resulted in an increase of containment lines. Significant heat from burning, dead and down heavy fuels remain on the eastern side of the fire in steep rugged terrain. Crews will continue extinguishing and removing burning material along completed fire lines, and patrolling along roads.

Pothole: Total Personnel: 61    

Size: 109 acres l Start Date: August 25, 2023 l Cause: Lightning l Containment: 20%

Resources: 4 engines l 1 crews l 1 bulldozers l 4 water tenders l

There was little fire activity yesterday allowing firefighters to make good progress on containment. Secured line continues to increase. Today firefighters will maintain established fire lines and continue to secure the perimeter.

Bedrock: Total Personnel: 419

Size: 31,590 acres l Start Date: July 22, 2023 l Cause: under investigation l Containment: 90%

Resources: 17 engines l 11 crews l 4 bulldozers l 16 water tenders l 7 masticators l 5 helicopters l 4 Skidder

Containment was increased on the southwest side of the fire. The repair group will continue hazard tree mitigation along road corridors utilizing tree fallers. They will also utilize crews to continue chipping operations.

The suppression group will continue to work on open fire edges by extinguishing fire in heavy, dead, and down logs, and concentrated fuels. Excess fire equipment continues to be removed and returned to base camp for servicing and cleaning.

Weather

A warming and drying trend begins today. Fog is anticipated in the lower drainages in the morning hours. Light winds are expected in the fire area later in the day.

Lookout Fire Evacuation Level Reductions

The Lane County Sheriff has announced changes to some of the evacuation notices related to the Lookout Fire. In consultation with several cooperating agencies, the decision was made to reduce the evacuation level in several areas.

at  www.LaneCountyOR.gov/LookoutFire  There is potential for reducing evacuation levels in several zones over the next few days.

Additional information can be found at the following websites.

Lane County Evacuations: https://www.lanecountyor.gov/cms/one.aspx?pageId=19729054   

Linn County Evacuations:  https://www.linnsheriff.org/ 

Evacuation Centers: An evacuation center is in place at Westridge Middle School in Oakridge for evacuees and small pets from the Horse Creek and Lookout Fires. For assistance with large animal evacuations, please call 541-285-8227. 

Road Closures:

Highway 242, McKenzie Highway, is closed between milepost 61-76, 14 miles west of Sisters, Oregon to just east of the junction with Highway 126. Highway 126 is currently open. Please monitor Trip Check for any updates at: https://tripcheck.com/   

Forest Closures: Willamette National Forest reduced the closure area for the Bedrock fire due to successful firefighting efforts. Many popular sites and trails have re-opened including the Alpine Trail. There are no changes to closure areas for the Lookout, Horse Creek, and Pothole fire areas at this time. These closures help provide firefighters with safer driving conditions and decrease the potential for search and rescue operations that could interrupt firefighting activities. Closures can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd552029

Restrictions: Fire Restrictions are in place on the Willamette National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/willamette. 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 Information Line: 541-215-6735 (8 a.m. - 8 p.m.)

Email: 2023.lookout@firenet.gov                                              

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

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

Bedrock Fire Information: 541-414-6272 (8 a.m. - 8 p.m.)

Email: 2023.bedrock@firenet.gov

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

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

Smith River Complex North update for Tuesday, September 5, 2023

GRANTS PASS, Ore. – Despite one-half to one full inch of rainfall on the Smith River Complex North over the past four days, the fire is far from extinguished, fire managers cautioned Monday.

“It basically put the fire to sleep,” Incident Meteorologist Phil Manuel said, but upcoming weather will “bring it out of hibernation.”

As skies clear and temperatures rise this week, wet surface fuels will dry out and burn more actively. Heavy dead fuels, such as logs and branches, are still very dry, as is ground litter beneath trees and shrubs.

Crews are continuing to prepare the 019 Road for tactical firing operations if it becomes necessary and conditions allow. Structure and contingency crews are starting to remove hoses and other equipment from residential areas where they are no longer needed, but some plumbing will remain in key locations.

Monday, hotshot crews were working to extinguish pockets of heat along Monkey Ridge. In the Little Sanger area, crews were transporting logs from felled hazard trees to landing sites for removal.

An east-west line along the 450 Road is complete and is being extended down to the 305 Road to the California state line. Contingency line preparation along Chicago Creek to Stevens Camp is progressing.

With secure lines around the north end of the fire and along Hwy 199, more fire resources are moving to the west edge of the fire. Engines and chippers have started preparing the 1107 Road, and heavy equipment is being staged at the Brookings rest area.

Hwy 199 is open, with pilot cars escorting traffic through an eight-mile section of the highway where burned guardrails and other hazards from the Smith River Complex remain. Motorists should expect 30-minute delays. For the latest information on road conditions, please see the Caltrans site and Oregon Department of Transportation's TripCheck site.

Area and road closures are in effect Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and Bureau of Land Management Coos Bay District have issued for the Smith River Complex. A campfire ban remains in place for BLM and forest lands, and the Wild section of the Rogue River. Visit the forest website https://bit.ly/RRSNFAlerts or https://www.blm.gov/orwafire for additional information.

A Level 2 – GET SET evacuation is in place for O’Brien and the Takilma area. A Level 1 – GET READY evacuation is in place north to Cave Junction. The American Red Cross evacuation shelter in Grants Pass has closed. Monitor Rogue Valley Emergency Management site and sign up for evacuation alerts and updates at https://rvem.org. An interactive Fire First Response Map showing evacuation areas can also be found there.

September 5, 2023

Type 3 Team, Incident Commander: Nick Collard ICT3, Grif Cochran ICT3 (T)  

Daily Update – 9:00 AM

Highlights: Updates will be produced as significant fire activity occurs. Fire activity is expected to be minimal with smoldering, creeping, and backing where pockets of heat remain. Scattered areas of heat may produce more smoke today as conditions continue to dry out. Resources are available to respond quickly if conditions change.

Quartz Ridge Fire: 1,845 acres, increase of 3 acreages | 77% of objectives achieved | 68 personnel assigned

The Quartz Ridge Fire saw minimal growth with a total increase of 3 acres. Crews continue to work on building a shaded fuel break along Quartz Meadows Rd (NFSR#684). Direct control lines are being utilized to suppress accessible parts of the fire and indirect control lines are providing confinement on remote areas that present high safety risks to firefighters.

Bear Creek Fire: 446 acres, increase of 3 acreages | 83% of objectives achieved | 10 personnel assigned

The Bear Creek Fire saw minimal growth with a total increase of 3 acres. Minimal fire behavior is expected, but more active fire behavior may produce smoke as conditions continue to dry out. Significant fire spread is not expected as fuel moistures remain elevated.

Weather: High pressure will strengthen over the area leading to a warming and drying trend through the remainder of the week. Expect breezy southwest winds each afternoon, with high temperatures in the 60s to mid-70s.

San Juan National Forest Temporary Closures:  Closure orders are in effect and additional information can be found here. 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                  

Quartz Ridge Fire

Email: 2023.QuartzRidge@firenet.gov

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/cosjf-quartz-ridge-fire

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095556640621

Bear Creek Fire

Email: 2023.BearCreek@firenet.gov

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/cosjf-bear-creek-fire

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095241777192

Six Rivers National Forest Smith River Complex—South

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Acres: 85,501

Containment: 19 percent

Cause: lightning

Start Date: Aug 15, 2023

Resources: 57 crews, 171 engines, 10 helicopters, 4 drones, 18 dozers, 16 masticators,

6 skid steers, 37 water tenders

Total Personnel: 2,528

 Current Situation: Firefighters on an aerial reconnaissance mission Monday observed minimal smoke and hotspots on the west side of the Kelly Fire from the state line south to Gasquet. The southern portion of the fire had scattered areas of heat. On the fire’s eastern perimeter south of the Caltrans Idlewild Maintenance Station, most heat was limited to a burning stringer of timber where the fire is creeping downslope to the Siskiyou River.

Several days of minimal fire activity have allowed crews to refine a full-suppression plan that involves using both direct and indirect suppression tactics. Where it is safe to do so, crews have been and will continue to extinguish hotspots directly on the fire’s edge. Elsewhere, they must rely on an indirect suppression strategy, which involves using dozer lines, handlines, roads, rivers, and other natural features to contain the fire. Crews have been identifying and preparing those containment features—which are as close to the fire as possible—by masticating brush, installing hose and pumps, and widening roads and firelines. As weather conditions allow, they will conduct firing operations from the containment features toward the main fire. This indirect suppression strategy is necessary due to the unsafe, extremely steep, rugged terrain and long times required to transport personnel during emergencies.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Dry, breezy weather will continue through the week. New fires from last weekend’s lightning strikes may become apparent. The incident has an initial-attack crew that can quickly respond to new fires. No significant fire growth is expected on any fire in the Smith River Complex South on Tuesday.

Smoke and Air Quality: Low levels of smoke are expected until firing operations commence later this week. A daily Smoke Outlook that includes air quality information is available here: tinyurl.com/yb29zy6f.

Closures: US-199 is now OPEN to all traffic. However, an 11-mile segment—currently between Sandy Beach (near milepost 21) and Oregon Mountain Road (near milepost 31)—has one-way, piloted traffic control. Delays up to 45 minutes are possible. The piloted segment will expand or contract as crews repair the burned guardrails, clear rocks off the roadway, and remove hazard trees.

Six Rivers National Forest lands, roads, and trails surrounding the Complex are closed (Forest Order No. 10-23-06). The Order and closure map can be viewed on this Six River National Forest web page: tinyurl.com/4atens8c.

Evacuations: Evacuation orders issued by the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office remain in effect. View the interactive evacuation map online for the most current evacuations: tinyurl.com/yp3d99sr.

·   LEVEL 3, GO: Rockland

·   LEVEL 2, Get Set: Rowdy Creek/Low Divide, Gasquet, Big Flat/Rock Creek, Patricks Creek Lodge, Little Jones/Washington Flat Residential Areas, Oregon Mountain Road Area, Sun Star

·   LEVEL 1, Get Ready: Hiouchi

Fire Information:                                                                                                                

Email: 2023.SmithRiverComplex@firenet.gov (South and North)

Phones: 707-383-9727 (South), 541-801-3495 (North)

Facebook: facebook.com/SixRiversNF

Wednesday at 6 PM

Karuk Tribe Department of Natural Resources

39051 Hwy 96

Orleans, CA 95556

530-536-0767

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

For members of the community, concerned citizens, government leaders, and media to get the latest updates on the SRF Lightning Complex and Redwood Lightning Complex in person or via Facebook Live. Video will be posted on SRF Lightning Complex and Redwood Lightning Complex Fire Information Facebook page.

El Bosque Nacional de Rogue River-Siskiyou ha emitido una Orden de Cierre (06-10-28-23-62) total para las tierras vírgenes de Grassy Knob, incluyendo las carreteras del Servicio Forestal (FSR) #5105 (Grassy Knob Road), #5201-010 (China Peak) y #5201-011 (Pepper Ridge).

Actividad del Incendio Flat

Extensión: 34,242 acres  Fecha de Inicio: 15 de Julio, 2023                Origen: 2 millas al Sureste de Agness, OR

Contencion: 70%              Personal: 347

Recursos: 5 escuadrillas de bomberos, 3 helicópteros, 12 camiones de bomberos, 6 cisternas, 11 piezas de maquinaria pesada

Continúan observándose ciertos espacios internos de vegetación quemándose y produciendo humo. Las escuadrillas de bomberos están dirigiendo todas las operaciones dentro de una cadena (66 pies) del eje del incendio. Los bomberos están patrullando y monitoreando alrededor del perímetro y continúan observando el lado Este de la zona que aun ha sido contenida. Los bomberos prosiguen con la reparación de supresión y trabajando con los Recursos de Asesoría alrededor de áreas culturalmente sensibles. Los esfuerzos están enfocados alrededor de Raspberry Mountain sobre el perímetro Norte y el lado Este de Game Lake. El trabajo de reparación de supresión podría incluir el retirar de las franjas a la orilla de carreteras las líneas de maquinaria pesada hechas con excavadores y a mano, instalando zanjas para el paso de corrientes de agua, resiembra de áreas afectadas, así como también el astillado de ramas y arboles de menor tamaño. Los recursos para ataques iniciales se encuentran estacionados y listos para asistir al bosque en lo que sea necesario.

Actividad en el Incendio Anvil

Extensión: 299 acres      Fecha de Inicio:  August 25, 2023                       Origen: 8 millas al Este de Port Orford, OR             

Contención: 0%              Personal: 125

Recursos: 4 escuadrillas de bomberos, 3 helicópteros, 5 camiones de bomberos, 2 cisternas, 2 piezas de maquinaria pesada

El día de ayer, cinco helicópteros derramaron 48,230 galones de agua sobre el eje Oeste con el objetivo de detener el avance del incendio. Debido a la presencia de un clima favorable y una mejor visibilidad, los manejadores del incendio lograron realizar otros reconocimientos aéreos y terrestres sobre la zona afectada. A lo largo del lado Noroeste, se están buscando nuevas opciones para realizar ataques directos (construcción de líneas en el eje del incendio). Las escuadrillas de bomberos realizaran trabajos de mejoramiento en Grassy Knob Road, la cual se dirige hacia las tierras vírgenes, con la finalidad de utilizarla en el futuro como una característica avanzada de control. En otras áreas, los manejadores del Incendio se encuentran identificando líneas indirectas (líneas de incendio a cierta distancia del eje del fuego con una mayor probabilidad de éxito y bajo riesgo para los bomberos) así como desarrollando la implementación de dicho plan. Los bomberos prosiguen reduciendo el material de combustión peligroso situado alrededor de la infraestructura en la Subdivisión de Elk River e identificando necesidades adicionales, tales como sistemas de riego con mangueras y bombas. Además, continuaran evaluando las carreteras de Elk River y Sixes River para poder determinar la implementación de puntos de protección si fuera necesario.

Condiciones climáticas: Para el día de hoy, se esperan temperaturas ligeramente cálidas y una humedad baja en las áreas del incendio. Las condiciones para el miércoles se presentarán de una manera similar. Sin embargo, para el jueves, un frente débil frio bajara el grado de temperaturas e incrementara de forma ligera el porcentaje de humedad.

Condiciones de humo: Para encontrar un mapa con información nacional del humo visite: https://fire.airnow.gov/

Ordenes de Cierres:  Se reabrió el U.S. Highway 199 para el tráfico en general usando de guía un carro piloto al Norte de Gasquet hacia la frontera de Oregon y California. Este preparado para retrasos si decide tomar esta ruta. El Bosque Nacional de Rogue River-Siskiyou ha declarado una orden de cierre. Para mayor información visite:  https://bit.ly/RRSNFAlerts

Evacuaciones:  Se encuentra en pie niveles de evacuación Nivel 1 “Prepárese” para todas las áreas en las proximidades del Incendio Flat.  Un Nivel 2 “Listos” se ha dictado para el área a lo largo de Elk River desde la Milla 4 hasta el Campamento del Servicio Forestal Buttler Bar y cercano al incendio Anvil. Registrese en Curry Co. Everbridge Notifications (Alertas de Emergencia) en: https://bit.ly/CurryCoEM para recibir alertas de emergencia en su localidad.

Ordenes de Restricción: El Bosque Nacional de Rogue River-Siskiyou está disminuyendo el Nivel de peligro de incendio de Extremo a Alto así como el Nivel Industrial de precaución de Incendio de un Nivel 3 a Nivel 2 y en efecto a partir del 5 de Septiembre, 2023. Se encuentra vigente el Nivel 3 en las Restricciones para el Uso Público (PURs) en toda el área del Bosque y en la sección de tierras vírgenes de Rogue National Wild y Scenic River. Para más información visite  https://bit.ly/RRSNFAlerts. Se implemento una orden temporal de restricción de vuelos (TFR) sobre las áreas de incendios. Se le pide al público en general que por favor no vuelen equipos automatizados (drones) en la zona aledaña al incendio. “Si Usted vuela, nosotros no Podemos”.

South Fork Complex Update
Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Fire Information: 530-638-2830, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Email: 2023.southforkcomplex@firenet.gov
Linktree: linktr.ee/southforkcomplex2023

3-9 Fire:          2,840 acres with 35% 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 65% overall containment for the South Fork Complex

A total of 739 personnel, crews, air support, engines, dozers, and water tenders support the incident.

Evacuation Update: As of 8:00 a.m. this morning, all evacuation warnings in Humboldt and Trinity counties have been lifted.

3-9 Fire - Fire behavior and spread potential will continue to be mostly low today, with creeping and smoldering in heavy fuels and stump holes and occasional flaming. Crews will continue to be alert for increased fire behavior potential in the coming days as fuels dry. Firefighters took advantage of the fair weather yesterday to construct and improve control lines and go as direct as possible. In the area east of Torrey Corrals, crews were able to tie in hand line to completed dozer line. Terrain is steep and rugged in this area, but they will continue to take advantage of opportunities to go direct where it is safe to do so. Hotshot crews increased control line depth along the 03N06 road and removed snags posing a hazard to firefighter safety. They were able to tie in hand line along the southern perimeter to the creek north of Henry Ridge, and they will continue to evaluate ways of tying in hand line with completed dozer line west of the Berry-Summit-Mad River Road (Route 1). Along the eastern flank of the fire, crews continued to make progress chipping and stacking hazard trees in order make it possible for dozers and hand crews to get closer to the fire’s edge. They were also able to mop up and install hose in some areas. Along the northern portion of the fire, firefighters systematically looked for areas of remaining heat and increased depth of containment line to secure the fire’s edge. Helicopters were able to support fire suppression efforts with bucket drops yesterday with support continuing today as weather allows.

The Pilot Fire is 100% contained. Crews continue to mop up remaining areas with heat along dozer lines and in stump holes in the interior. They will continue to patrol the fire perimeter to ensure that the fire remains within the containment lines.

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: Morning fog is expected to lift by 11:00 a.m. and the rest of the day is expected to be sunny with maximum temperatures of 68-73 ºF and minimum relative humidities of 40-45%. Northwest winds are predicted to be 6-10 mph with gusts up to 15 mph.

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.

Fire Update

2023 SRF Lightning Complex & Redwood Lightning Complex

Tuesday, September 5, 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 9 of the 19 fires currently being managed as part of the Complexes plus one new initial attack fire. The remaining 10 fires are listed in the accompanying Complex Overview. Those fires, totaling 1,747 acres, are contained and in patrol status. They are checked daily, and their size and containment status are unlikely to change.

Current Situation: The 19 fires in this incident total 17,551 acres and overall containment is 21%. The nine uncontained fires described below total 15,804 acres. Hog Fire and Lost Fire are in Redwood National and State Parks. All other fires described in this update are in Six Rivers National Forest. Fire managers have begun rightsizing staffing for current fire conditions. Minimal smoke was reported from fires in the Complexes yesterday, but a warming, drying trend beginning today may produce more smoke as fuels on the interior of the fires are consumed. The increase in acreage is due to more accurate aerial infrared mapping rather than actual fire growth.

Hog Fire (0.2 acres) – This new fire was detected on Saturday in the southern end of the National Park. It was an initial attack assisted by the Rocky Mountain team and is not an official part of the Complex. The fire is a lightning strike in a single cedar tree. The burning tree has been felled and the fire is lined and in mop up status.

Lost Fire (722 acres, 68% contained) – Indirect line construction has been completed on the north side of the fire. A portion of the fire perimeter in the northwest corner is too steep and rocky to safely put firefighters in. Backhaul of unneeded equipment is in progress and suppression repair work has begun. An unmanned aerial systems aircraft (UAS) will be used today to search for remaining hotspots using infrared technology.

Pearch Fire (5099 acres, 8% contained) – Crews continue to mop up, secure, and patrol firelines in the southern portion of the fire in Divisions Z and J. Crews are targeting hotspots identified by aerial infrared imagery. No additional firing operations are planned on the fire. The structure protection group continues structure assessments along the Salmon River corridor to the east of the fire in Division Y. The assessments, totaling 284 so far, will be compiled into a product that will be useful to local agencies in the event of any future emergencies. Hoses, sprinklers, and other structure equipment have been deployed in some locations as a preventative measure, and unneeded equipment is being backhauled. A night shift of 5 engines is continuing to work the fire.

Bluff #1 (2033 acres, 26% contained) and Mosquito (2557 acres, 24% contained) Fires – Mastication and chipping on an indirect fireline north of Mosquito Fire is done. A dozer line along a portion of Bean Ridge has been cleaned up, and hand crews completed the line northeast to Highway 96. A combination of masticators, fallers, and hand crews will work on extending the line further north. The east side of Mosquito Fire is contained by direct line along the Cedar Camp Road in Division M. An indirect line has been completed westward from the southeast corner of Mosquito Fire in Division M. Mastication has been completed along an indirect line that runs from north of Bluff #1 Fire, along the west side of that fire, and southward in Division N. Crews are working on connecting the south end of this line down into Bluff Creek and across to the line running west of Mosquito Fire with handline. This should take 3 to 4 days to complete. Four chippers are working to remove slash from the masticated indirect lines, with about four days of work remaining.

Blue Creek #2 (2986 acres, 0% contained), Marlow (1540 acres, 0% contained), and Copper (792 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 movement of these fires is not expected.

Monument (2 acres, 0% contained) and Let er-Buck (73 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 little to no fire growth has been observed.

Weather: A slow warming and drying trend will occur this week. Highs will be in the upper70s to mid 80s, warming to near 90 by late in the week. Winds will be light from the west. Overnight lows will be in the 40s and 50s. A stable weather pattern will be in place over the next week, with seasonal temperatures and a dry forecast.

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

www.linktr.ee/srffitrpio

Size: 500 acres

Containment: 75%

Cause: Undetermined

Currently

At approximately 3:48 p.m. on Sept. 4, Texas A&M Forest Service received a request for assistance on a fire burning approximately 3 miles southwest of Sheppard Air Force Base, in Wichita County, Texas. The Kiel Fire is burning in juniper and mesquite shrub as well as grass vegetation. The fire exhibited extreme fire behavior during the initial response with crown fire and running through the mesquite/juniper vegetation.

County and local firefighters were joined by personnel, heavy equipment, fire engines and aviation resources from Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System. Aircraft, including large airtankers, single engine airtankers and fire bosses, made beneficial drops well into the evening hours during initial attack that helped to slow forward progression of the fire. After initially dedicating most resources to the homes and businesses directly threatened, crews focused on cooling the flanks of the fire and slowing progression at the head utilizing aircraft heavily to assist.

Today: Crews will continue improving containment lines around the fire, using engines and hand crews to patrol and mop-up any areas containing burning material that they discover within 200 feet of containment lines. Air resources will be utilized if needed.

Weather and Fire Behavior: HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 PM CDT THIS
EVENING...

DISCUSSION...
Expect south winds to increase throughout the day, with gusts to around 20-25 mph. RH will drop to near 25 percent late this afternoon. Isolated thunderstorms will be possible by early evening. Winds will begin to shift from the southeast and east late tonight into early Wednesday morning.

Evacuations: None at this time, but citizens are encouraged to refer to the Wichita County Sheriff's Office's Facebook page for more information.

Damages/Injuries:  On 9/4, six injuries were reported on this fire. Three were reported prior to TAMFS arrived on scene, and the firefighters were treated and allowed to return to duty.

Closures:

None at this time

Louisiana Statewide Burn Ban: The state of Louisiana has declared a statewide burn ban to include any open flame outdoors. The message from the State Fire Marshal’s Office is “don’t burn anything” until further notice. Citations and arrests ARE happening across this state in partnership with local and state law enforcement agencies.

Fire Name Acreage Personnel

Tiger Island  31,082   342

Hwy 113   7,709   129

Lions Camp Road  785  26

Elizabeth  940  28

Personnel and Equipment:  

Tiger Island: 1 Type-1 Crew; 1 Type-2 Crew; 20 Type-6 Engines; 7 Type-3 Tractor Plow Units; 4 Water Tenders and 4 Ambulances.

Hwy 113: 1 Type-1 Crew; 18 Type-6 Engines; 7 Type-2 Tractor Plow Units; 3 Type-3 Tractor Plow Units; 4 Water Tenders and 3 Ambulances.

Lions Camp Road: 2 Type-6 Engines; 3 Type-3 Tractor Plow Units and 1 Ambulance

Elizabeth: 5 Type-6 Engines; 5 Type-3 Tractor Plow Units and 1 Ambulances

Air Resources Assigned to all Fires: 14 Helicopters and 2 Air Attacks

Additional support is being provided to all fires by the National Guard, Parish authorities and departments, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the Louisiana State Fire Marshal Team, Sheriff’s offices, and the Offices of Emergency Preparedness.

Tiger Island Fire: The Tiger Island Fire was first reported on Tuesday, August 22nd. The fire is located East of Merryville, south of Hwy 190, SW of DeRidder and North of Singer. The fire is burning in pine plantations of multiple ages. Heavy residual fuels because of Hurricane Laura in 2020 exist and contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Operations: The Tiger Island Fire is currently 57% contained.  Yesterday, rain fell across portions of the fire area. Small pockets of needlecast reburned yesterday morning before the rain. Crews were still able to continue mop up, patrolling for hot spots and assessing for reburn potential. Crews also focused on knocking down berms of debris that could be holding heat along dozer lines on the southeast side of the fire. Today, crews will continue mopping up, patrolling and knocking down dozer berms.

Hwy 113 Fire: Located 14 miles northwest of Oakdale. This fire is burning in loblolly pines and hardwoods.

Operations:  The Hwy 113 fire is currently 60% contained. Yesterday, the fire received over one inch of rain in some areas. Crews improved dozer lines and worked on connecting dozer and hand lines, especially in the Tenmile Creek drainage. Today, crews will continue mopping up, patrolling for hotspots and connecting fire lines in the Tenmile Creek drainage.

Lions Camp Road: Five miles northwest of Leesville. This fire is burning is southern rough, timber and brush.

Operations: The Lions Camp Road Fire is 75% contained. Yesterday, the fire also received some rain, but crews were able to continue mopping up, patrolling and improving dozer lines. Today, crews will continue to patrol for hotspots, mop up and will be assessing the fire area for reburn potential due to needlecast.

Elizabeth: Located in southwest Rapides Parish. The fire is south of Ten Mile Road and northeast of state Louisiana Hwy 462.

Operations:  The Elizabeth fire is 60% contained. Yesterday, the fire received over one inch of rain in some areas, and crews were pulled off the fire in the afternoon due to decreased accessibility and safety concerns. Prior to the rain, crews continued to mop up and patrol along the fire perimeter. Today, crews will be connecting dozer and hand lines in the Tenmile Creek drainage and will continue mopping up and patrolling for hotspots.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Temperatures will be in the mid to high 90’s today with minimum humidity in the mid 40’s to mid 50’s. The heat index is expected to exceed 100 degrees. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible, but rain chances are less than yesterday. Fire activity will be minimal today due to increased moisture and higher humidity. Conditions over the next few days are expected to become drier and in portions of the fire that did not receive rain yesterday, increased fire activity may occur. Heat scorched leaves and pine needles are falling and blanketing the ground, which could lead to reburn in the fire areas where heat in the ground persists.

Air Quality: Light smoke is only expected in the vicinity of large fuels that continue to smolder. Reburn could cause higher levels of smoke in localized areas. None of the communities in the area will be impacted by smoke from any of the fires. Expect to see only light smoke in the immediate vicinity of a fire or on interior roads. All monitor locations should see less smoke today due to low fire activity, south winds and high humidity. All communities should experience good air quality. For near time air quality information see EPA's Fire and Smoke Map: https://fire.airnow.gov/

Temporary Flight Restriction: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the Tiger Island Fire and Hwy 113 and Elizabeth Fire areas. This is necessary to protect aerial operations. If you fly, we can’t. If there are drone intrusions into the Temporary Flight Restrictions, we must ground all aircraft. 

Evacuations: Updates on evacuations and shelters for the Tiger Island Fire can be found on the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/beauregardsheriff.