Thursday, September 7th, was a day of moisture and slow advancement. Poor visibility associated with the weather prevented aircraft (including last night’s scheduled infrared flight) from operating. Consequently, the 177,301 acres, and the increase of 530 acres from the last measurement are most current measures to date. Rainfall, where it occurred, combined with high humidity levels greatly reduced fire activity and growth yesterday and overnight.
Firefighters on the northwest fire perimeter were successful in getting containment lines around about 75% of the spot fires caused by the winds a few days prior. On the northwest fire perimeter crews were successful in getting containment lines around about 75% of the spot fires caused by the winds a few days prior. Working with the weather on their side that reduced the intensity of the fire, crews on the western perimeter were able to move in closer to the fire’s edge and build more direct containment lines.
On the southwest edge, operations continued to hold and improve firelines while at the same time deploying more hose lines to be used in securing those lines. Firefighters on the north side in Josephine County were able to connect and tie in to lines to the east, while scouting and constructing firelines to the south into California continued.
North of the fire at the confluence of the Illinois and Rogue rivers, structure assessment and preparation continues in the community of Agnes.
The recent rain and high humidity levels delayed implementing strategic back fire burning operations that would consume fuel between the main fire and containment lines used to add depth and strengthen existing lines.
Larger vegetation remains dry though, and residents should be aware that as temperatures rise and humidity levels drop again over the next 72 hours, fire activity will pick up. Areas where little activity occurred yesterday may hide burning roots and when winds increase and humidity levels drop the possibility that the will spread to nearby receptive fine fuels like grasses, leaves and small twigs, still exists.
As humidity levels begin to drop and temperatures begin to rise, vegetation will dry out over the next 24 to 48 hours. Hazards faced by firefighters in the current conditions include: access to wet areas with steep slopes with dirt roads and trees, weakened by fire, are more susceptible to falling as wet soils loosen their hold on root systems.
Today strengthening of containment lines combined with opportunities to move in closer to the fire perimeter will be utilized in attempts to take full advantage of the moderate weather and reduce potential impacts to nearby private lands. Firefighters will continue to remove brush and vegetation along containment and contingency lines, while ensuring that hoselays are in place and functioning properly. Ongoing efforts include patrols for spot fires, extinguishing areas of heat within spot fires. Fireline construction and, where containment lines have been secured by mop-up, fireline repair work and re-contouring lines will be made in efforts to mitigate water runoff).
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 will be completed. Air resources remain poised to respond as conditions change, and 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.
The Chetco Bar Incident Management Team, and Curry County Sheriff are reducing 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 11am 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 in 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