FIRE UPDATE BIG WINDY COMPLEX The Big Windy Complex: Consists of the Big Windy (Josephine County), Calvert Peak and Jenny Fires (Curry County). Located on Medford District Bureau of Land Management lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry, Started: July 26, 2013 at 3:00 a.m. Cause: Lightning Location: Approximately 8 miles NW of Galice. Estimated Containment: 09/01/2013 Fire Acres total for the complex - 10,841 0 % Contained Fire acres individually Jenny - 3,092 Calvert Peak - 177 Big Windy - 7,572 Firefighters continue with the direct/indirect strategy and progress continues with containment lines, prepping for burnout, and conducting burnout operations. This approach is estimated to require approximately one week to implement; however, weather conditions greatly influence when and how burning operations are conducted. Burnout operations have been successful on the north flank of the Big Windy/south flank of the Jenny Fires; crews will continue to work in this area to complete the operation. Crews are also working diligently to complete burnout operations on the SE corner of the Big Windy. Dry thunderstorms are possible after midnight tonight as the weather pattern becomes unstable. Big Windy Complex Operations Summary: Ground Operations: Firefighters have made excellent progress with containment lines in all divisions, and continue to look for opportunities for secondary containment lines on the SE flank of the fire. At the Black Bar Lodge, crews began firing operations to create a blackened area around the lodge to help protect it. At Zane Grey’s cabin, crews will begin burnout operations. Crews and heavy equipment operators are working with Rural Metro Fire Department to improve fire line and roads, scout for contingency control lines and prep for burnout operations for the community of Galice. Coordination with all agencies and partners continue. Air operations: Air support continues to be hampered by limited visibility due to the persistent inversion and smoky conditions. Two heavy helicopters, two light helicopters and one air attack plane is assigned today. 123 National Guard members have been assigned to the complex. Their duties include road closure enforcement, security, and aviation support. FIRE FACTS: Closures in Place: The Bear Camp Road (BLM # 34-8-36 and Forest Service #23) is officially closed with closure orders and maps issued by the Medford District of the Bureau of Land Management/Grants Pass Interagency Office and the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest/Gold Beach Ranger District. See websites above for additional information. The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office and the Curry County Sheriff’s Office are providing staffing at the closure points and signs are in place. Burnt Ridge Road, Forest Service Road 2308, is closed from the junction with Forest Road 2300 to the junction with Forest Road 3300. Rogue River Trail from Grave Creek to Rogue River Ranch. The BLM portion of the Wild Section of the Rogue River is closed from Grave Creek to Mule Creek due to extreme fire conditions and public health and safety issues. Evacuations in Place: A level 2 evacuation notice is place starting at the Marial Lodge and following the Rogue River East to Grave Creek, then north and west on the Marial Byway back to the Marial Lodge. VALUES AT RISK: Boaters and campers on the Rogue River, Wild and Scenic River below Grave Creek, economic considerations associated with recreation, Black Bar Lodge (18 structures), Zane Grey Historical Cabin, Marial Lodge, Rogue River Ranch, cultural resources, threatened & endangered species habitat, late successional reserves, fisheries and wildlife. WEATHER: Continued smoky early, and then becoming partly cloudy with continued low level instability. Maximum temperatures 77-84 ridges, max Rh 20-30% valleys, 29 to 37% ridges and mid slope. North- northwest wind 6-9 mph ridges, upslope/up valley 2-7 mph in valleys, with gusts up to 12 mph after 3 pm. Inversion expected to lift up to 4000’ mid-afternoon. Chance of dry thunderstorms after midnight. FIRE BEHAVIOR: Fire behavior will be similar to yesterday. Expect surface fire, single and group tree torching as the relative humidity and fuel moistures remain low. Firefighters continue to watch for the probability of ignition with some spotting and short runs are expected. RESOURCES ASSIGNED: 33 20 person hand crews 31 engines 17 water tenders 14 bulldozers 4 helicopters 1 spotter aircraft SAFETY CONCERNS: Steep and unforgiving terrain, driving on narrow, windy roads, variable and unpredictable winds in the river corridor, ticks, bee stings, hazard trees, poison oak, poor air quality, aviation operations, extreme fire behavior, railroad crossings, black bears and cougars. Safety trends include bee stings, knee and ankle injuries.
Posted on: Tue, 06 Aug 2013 17:26:23 +0000
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