Wednesday, September 6th, saw weather slow fire behavior with less advancement occurring. As of this update, according to an infrared (heat detecting) flight last night, the Chetco Bar Fire is 177,301 acres, an increase of 530 acres from the last measurement.
Task forces worked preparing structures along the California border while crews continue to use the cooler temperatures from the last couple of days to both lengthen and widen control lines and wait for conditions to improve in favor of burnouts along lines south of Mt. Emily.
Although a Flash Flood Watch warning from the NOAA and National Weather Service is still in effect for northern California and southern Oregon through 11PM Thursday night, officials expect fire behavior to include surface fire spread and isolated incidences of fire climbing to the tops of individual trees.
If the predicted thunderstorms produce excessive rainfall in previous wildfire burn scars, debris flows and/or mudslides may occur in drainages.
Thunderstorms brought widespread rain that briefly cleared the air Wednesday evening. There’s a 25% chance of additional wetting rain Thursday, which drops to a 10% chance Friday. Cool weather is forecast with temperatures in the upper 60s and 70s, and humidity over 50%. Winds from the W-NW will generally not be strong (4-8 mph, with gusts to 12 mph). Fire behavior will moderate, but remains variable because rain did not penetrate and wet all parts of the fire and fine fuels such as leaf litter will dry quickly. Short uphill runs can occur where winds and uphill slopes align. Spotting is not expected. The weather will become hotter and drier starting Saturday and Sunday.
The current weather pattern will begin to change late Friday with temperatures rising and humidity levels falling through the weekend. Coastal areas such as Brookings and Gold Beach have seen dramatic improvement in smoke levels due to onshore westerly flow lifting smoke out.
Today, thunderstorms, possible rainfall and gusty winds will help to mix out smoke in inland communities.
Heavy smoke impacts continue for inland communities surrounding the Chetco Bar fire this morning. Cave Junction, Grants and Pass and to the East past Medford remain under dense smoke. The smoke level in Grants Pass is forecast as “very unhealthy” indicating that everyone should avoid prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. Overall, there is an expected improvement in air quality today.
Firefighters are taking advantage of this break in weather by constructing more firelines as well as clearing brush to strengthen existing firelines below the southwest perimeter of the fire. They are taking advantage of opportunities to build direct firelines where doing so would be effective and can be done safely. Patrolling and mopping up spot fires to prevent their further spread is continuing along the western perimeter as is scouting and building of direct and indirect lines along the north and northeast.
Crews are scouting and preparing firelines for strategic burning operations. Line construction and firebreak enhancement continues below the southwest perimeter of the fire. Patrolling and mopping up of spot fires is continuing along the western perimeter. Structure protection is continuing in Store Gulch, Oak Flat, McCaleb’s Ranch, and Footbridge along the Illinois River valley in Josephine County.
Five dozers will continue to increase and join the segments of containment line. Fallers remove nearby snags to secure these lines, increasing safety for firefighting efforts and effectiveness of fire barriers. Three 20-person hand crews follow the dozers to ensure that smaller brush gets cleaned away.
In coordination with the local Forest Service and the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), heavy equipment will continue to be utilized to open previously used fire lines as part of a containment operation east of the Kalmiopsis Wilderness.
Aircraft operations have been limited due to weather and smoke. If helicopters can safely fly, reconnaissance of the fire’s position and assessing protection needs at Pearsoll Peak Lookout and communication sites at Eight Dollar Mtn and Fiddler Mtn are priorities. As visibility and weather allow, aircraft will support firefighters.
Curry County Sheriff and Josephine County officials will continue to monitor evacuation levels while the Oregon State Fire Marshal Task Force continues structure evaluation and preparation.
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 Level 3 Evacuation Order which included all areas along Carpenterville Road north of the Cape Ferrelo Road intersection to the Carpenterville Road and Bosley Butte Road intersection.
Thursday evenings expanded Level 2 Evacuation Order which included all areas along Winchuck River Road east of, and including Peavine Ridge Road.
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