The Wednesday, September 13th Chetco Bar Fire update showed another day of moderate growth with active ground fire on the western perimeter in scattered areas from the Pistol River to east of the Winchuck River. Increase of acreage from infra-red and ground GPS data revealed that 3,278 acres were added to the total which is now at 185,618 acres with 8% containment.
Tuesday’s weather trend is toward slightly cooler temperatures, slightly higher humidities, a bit of cloud cover over the fire and light winds allowed firefighting crews to utilize direct suppression tactics. Air operations were also heavily engaged yesterday, taking advantage of clearer skies and the lighter winds. Water and retardant were dropped into areas to cool the fire’s edge in locations that were accessible to firefighters, to provide for direct attack closest to areas with values at risk.
Cooler temperatures will begin today, with higher relative humidities. A morning inversion will likely trap smoke below 2000 feet in drainages but should start to lift around midday. Winds will be light in the morning and then become more terrain driven with north-northeast winds at the ridge tops. The fire area will experience moderate to good nighttime humidity recovery, and relative humidities will be in the 31-42% range today and up to 95% at night, with temperatures in the 75-84 degree range. Thursday will bring temperatures of 66-78 degrees, with daytime humidities of 29-40%.
A generally moderate fire behavior trend is expected today on Chetco Bar with slightly more active fire behavior on the Miller Complex, influencing air across southwest Oregon. Chetco Bar smoke impacts are expected to be moderate to heavy today with moderating fire behavior. Winds from the north/northeast will again push smoke into Agness and and lesser amounts into coastal areas including Gold Beach, Brookings and south into northern California. Periods of unhealthy air may affect coastal towns this morning, clearing as inversions lift late in the morning. Inland, in the Miller Complex and Chetco Bar fires’ smoke will influence Cave Junction, Grants Pass, Medford and other Rogue Valley communities with moderate conditions this morning. This is expected to lessen through the day, as heating lifts the inversions.
Portions of the fire are smokey with hot spots within the interior and along the perimeter. Fuels are still very dry, despite the bit of rain last week. Fire activity is smoldering, backing, and creeping, with active ground fire in scattered areas. Fire may be more active in the higher elevations along ridge tops where the humidities are lower and winds gusty. Lines were constructed along segments of the south and southwest perimeter and efforts are being made to tie in firelines at Wheeler Creek. The fire edge nearest to Pistol River and Meadow Creek became active, crossed a direct line but was stopped at the contingency lines. Direct line and contingency lines continue to be constructed, while using helicopters and retardant drops when conditions allow. Firing operations may be conducted to secure perimeter, while patrol and mop up continues all along the western side of the fire.
As of this update, all previous evacuation levels remain unchanged and intact. This includes a Level 3 evacuation order for all residents on Illinois River Road within the US Forest Service Boundaries and the Oak Flat Community.
The Chetco Bar Incident Management Team, and Curry County Sheriff have reduced some Level 3 Evacuation areas to Level 2 Evacuation’s within Curry County. Only residents and land owners are allowed to enter the previous Level 3 Evacuation Areas.
These Areas include:
• Pistol River Road
• Carpenterville Road
• North Bank Chetco River Road to the established fire perimeter
• Gardner Ridge Road to the established fire perimeter
• South Bank Chetco River Road
Residents must pick up the re-entry materials from 11 am to 4 pm at Ray’s Market 906 Chetco Ave in Brookings, Oregon. All residents that live in these geographic areas are asked to present their picture ID to Curry County Sheriff’s Office Staff to receive re-entry materials. Residents and land owners will need to present the materials received from the Sheriff’s Office at their established re-entry point.
Residents should remain prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice in the event the evacuation levels change and residents should not return any large animal’s home at this time. Fire and emergency resources will continue to be active in the areas and road systems. Please drive slowly and be aware of additional traffic in the Level 2 Evacuation area.
The Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation is now operating a shelter at The Xaa-wan’-k’wvt Village & Resort (old Ship Ashore) RV Park located at 12370 Highway 101 North in Smith River.
Residents are encouraged to monitor the interactive evacuation map for changes: http://arcg.is/2vWQN2N
The Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation has had a long-established evacuation shelter for displaced residents of the Chetco Bar fire. Located at the former Ship Ashore resort in the Smith River, CA area, many volunteers have been hard at work for over a month, providing free meals and RV and tent camping for local residents who have been evacuated from their homes due to the fire.