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Northwest Incident Management Team 6 Shawn Sheldon, Incident Commander Shane Theall, Deputy IC Watson Creek Fire Update Wednesday, August 29, 2018 A spot fire near Buckaroo Springs and Forest Service Road 3510 was caught in the Watson Creek Fire area on Tuesday. All divisions working on the fire reported progress yesterday and will be mopping up, holding, and patrolling containment lines. Crews are gridding, looking for any areas of heat within 100 feet of the perimeter. Following weaker winds and cooler temperatures overnight, today may be warmer than yesterday. Creeping and smoldering fire behavior is still anticipated. Today winds are projected to be out of the south in the morning, southwest in the afternoon and west in the evening. This may cause more smoke in the Paisley area. Today the public is invited to visit the heli-base at the Paisley airport from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Much of South Central Oregon is very dry and receptive to fire. Remember to...

Special Statement This air quality forecast predicts potential particulate matter levels, not ozone. Forecast is based on 24 hour average. Fire Large quantities of fuel available for consumption coupled with hot and dry weather could lead to increased fire activity. There are small, isolated hot spots burning moderately in Ramsey Canyon Fire. Total acres remain at 1,971 acres with 70% containment for Ramsey Canyon Fire. Miles and Columbus fires are burning northwest of Miles and south of Columbus fire. Watson Creek fire behavior is creeping and smoldering along the fire perimeter and burning interior islands putting a growth of about 250 acres in the last 24 hours. Klondike Fire which is located approx. 40 miles west of Medford is conducting firing operation today. Smoke Light to moderate northwest wind is expected today. Miles and Columbus fires are producing more smoke than the Ramsey Canyon fire based on aerial survey and satellite photo. Today’s northwest transport wind will...

Southwest Type 2 Team Transitions with Northern Rockies Type 2 Team Summary: Southwest Area Incident Management Team #3 will begin transition with Northern Rockies Team 4. They will begin shadowing Team #3 in preparation of taking over command at 0600 on Thursday morning. Yesterday, fire behavior was active as temperatures were higher than normal with low humidity and steady winds. On the southern perimeter of the fire, it continued to grow and run up Hardy Ridge in rough terrain and producing spot fires nearby. Air operations engaged the western and southwestern perimeters with over 20 hours of combined flight time and dropping over 60,000 gallons of water, the highest since operations have started. Overnight, smoke moved to the northwest and southeast of the fire area. It settled in the valleys and is anticipated to clear by midday. Temperatures will cool to average for the area, though humidity will continue to be at or below average levels keeping fuels at a very dry...

Happy Camp Community Meeting Natchez Fire Information & Update Thursday, August 30, 2018 6:00 p.m. Happy Camp Grange 64501 2nd Street, Happy Camp, CA For further Natchez Fire information, please visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5948/

08/28/18 9:00 pm UpdateQuick Facts:Incident Start Date: 8/22/2018Incident Start Time: Approx. 12:45 p.m.Incident Type: WildfireCause: Under InvestigationEst. Cost to Date: $5.9 millionIncident Location: near Sams Valley, Jackson County, OregonLand Threat: Private, BLM, IndustrialCommand Agency: ODF/OSFMFire Size: 1,971 acresContainment: 70%Expected Full Containment: 9/10/2018Civilian Injuries: 0Firefighter Injuries: 4Structures Threatened: 315Structures Destroyed: 1Structures Damaged: 0Current Situation:Crews continue to make good progress mopping up the fire’s perimeter. In many places, firefighters have mopped up more than 100 feet from the fire’s edge. On the more accessible portions of the fire, crews have mopped in over 200 feet.Mop up is slow dirty methodical work. But, firefighters continue using handheld technology to make the job more efficient. Tonight, crews will be using portable infrared scanners to locate hot spots near control lines. Smokes get marked with flagging...

NEWS RELEASE: Bear Camp Road System Closed to Public: Rafting Traffic and Agness Residents Provided ExceptionsEffective immediately, August 28, 2018, the Bear Camp Road is closed to public travel due to Klondike Fire activity. Agency officials closed the road for the safety of both the public and fire personnel who continue their suppression efforts in the Indigo and Silver Creek drainages. Additionally, the road is being used as a contingency line if needed for the northern portion of the fire.Bear Camp Road (Forest Road 23) is the most common route traveled for the shuttle drivers for Wild and Scenic Lower Rogue River visitors, providing a shorter alternative to the Highway 199-to-Highway 101 route. The current closure includes the Peavine Road system.While the closure applies to the general public, exceptions for through traffic have been provided for the following:• Residents of Agness and Galice, Oregon, may continue to use the road to access their residences and will be asked...

August 28, 2018 Contacts: Chamise Kramer, Public Affairs Specialist (541) 618-2051 Eric Hensel, Fire and Aviation Staff Officer (541) 618-2100 Effective Immediately, Portions of RRSNF Move to IFPL 4 Southwest Oregon— Due to continued dry weather and current fire activity, Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District and High Cascades Ranger District have increased their IFPL to Industrial Fire Precaution Level 4, effective immediately. The IFPL 4 restrictions apply only to contractors and permit holders, including those with permits to cut firewood for personal use. These restrictions are not applicable to standard recreational uses, such as campfires, which have separate restrictions that apply. For current restrictions on campfires, visit the Forest webpage. Under IFPL 4, also referred to as “General Shutdown,” all industrial actions are prohibited. This includes any personal and commercial use, firewood permits, power saws, and yarding. Failure to...

August 28, 2018 Contacts: Chamise Kramer, Public Affairs Specialist (541) 618-2051 Eric Hensel, Fire and Aviation Staff Officer (541) 618-2100 Effective Immediately, Portions of RRSNF Move to IFPL 4 Southwest Oregon— Due to continued dry weather and current fire activity, Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District and High Cascades Ranger District have increased their IFPL to Industrial Fire Precaution Level 4, effective immediately. The IFPL 4 restrictions apply only to contractors and permit holders, including those with permits to cut firewood for personal use. These restrictions are not applicable to standard recreational uses, such as campfires, which have separate restrictions that apply. For current restrictions on campfires, visit the Forest webpage. Under IFPL 4, also referred to as “General Shutdown,” all industrial actions are prohibited. This includes any personal and commercial use, firewood permits, power saws, and yarding. Failure to...

August 28, 2018 Contacts: Chamise Kramer, Public Affairs Specialist (541) 618-2051 Eric Hensel, Fire and Aviation Staff Officer (541) 618-2100 Effective Immediately, Portions of RRSNF Move to IFPL 4 Southwest Oregon— Due to continued dry weather and current fire activity, Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District and High Cascades Ranger District have increased their IFPL to Industrial Fire Precaution Level 4, effective immediately. The IFPL 4 restrictions apply only to contractors and permit holders, including those with permits to cut firewood for personal use. These restrictions are not applicable to standard recreational uses, such as campfires, which have separate restrictions that apply. For current restrictions on campfires, visit the Forest webpage. Under IFPL 4, also referred to as “General Shutdown,” all industrial actions are prohibited. This includes any personal and commercial use, firewood permits, power saws, and yarding. Failure to...

August 28, 2018 Contacts: Chamise Kramer, Public Affairs Specialist (541) 618-2051 Eric Hensel, Fire and Aviation Staff Officer (541) 618-2100 Effective Immediately, Portions of RRSNF Move to IFPL 4 Southwest Oregon— Due to continued dry weather and current fire activity, Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District and High Cascades Ranger District have increased their IFPL to Industrial Fire Precaution Level 4, effective immediately. The IFPL 4 restrictions apply only to contractors and permit holders, including those with permits to cut firewood for personal use. These restrictions are not applicable to standard recreational uses, such as campfires, which have separate restrictions that apply. For current restrictions on campfires, visit the Forest webpage. Under IFPL 4, also referred to as “General Shutdown,” all industrial actions are prohibited. This includes any personal and commercial use, firewood permits, power saws, and yarding. Failure to...

Crews working on the Watson Creek Fire connected fire lines yesterday around the entire perimeter of the fire and are strengthening the lines to achieve full containment as soon as possible. There will be continued work in and around the fire holding the lines, mopping up and patrolling. Weather today in the fire area is predicted to be warmer and drier with light easterly winds. Fire behavior along most of the perimeter will be creeping and smoldering. Active fire behavior could occur in the interior areas of unburned fuels and the western flank of the fire could be affected by the easterly winds. Today the public is invited to tour the fire camp in Paisley any time between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. On Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. there will be tours of the Heli-base at the Paisley airport. In collaboration with Team 6 the Lake County Sheriff’s Office has reduced some evacuation levels. The Lakeview Estates neighborhood Level 3 evacuation is still in effect. ...

8/27 Natchez Fire Update: Meeting: There will be a Community Meeting on Thursday, August 30, 2018 at 6:00pm at the Grange Hall in Happy Camp, California. Fire officials will share an update on the fire situation, operational strategies and answer questions. Happy Camp, CA. Last night winds were blowing from the east at 10-25 mph, with gusts to 30. Relative humidity rose to about 40%. This morning these winds should calm by 11 a.m., returning to typical patterns (upslope in the morning; from the North in the afternoon, 3-6 mph). A hot air mass will persist with temperatures exceeding 90 degrees and relative humidity of approximately 20%. These conditions create a potential for more active fire behavior. The weather will gradually cool and moderate as Labor Day Weekend approaches. No rain or lightning are forecast. Yesterday afternoon, smoke from the south side of Lookout Mountain was briefly visible over a wide area. It came from the aerial ignitions to improve the...

Yesterday fire activity was light in the morning as clouds, cooler temperatures, and amount moisture covered the fire area until midafternoon from overnight showers. Light fuels saw significantly decreased fire behavior because of the rain, but heavier fuels continued to maintain heat throughout the night. On the southwest perimeter, crews continued to strengthen a direct line along the 208 road and added to the containment line established. Air operations engaged the western and southwestern perimeters heavily with over 20 hours of combined flight time and dumping over 50,000 gallons of water. Fire activity is expected to increase today with temperatures 12-15 degrees above normal and forecasts temperatures of up to 87 degrees in the valleys. Higher elevations expect to see wind gusts up to 20-22 miles per hour until the afternoon. Fire fighters will focus on expanding the southwest perimeter containment line and strengthening the western perimeter with heavy equipment...

FIRE UPDATE AUGUST 28, 2018 Klondike Fire West Zone California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 Jay Kurth, Incident Commander Firefighters continue to implement an aggressive and adaptive approach to suppressing the fire in the Klondike West Zone. Additional hotshot crews, hand crews and engines arrived yesterday. Three hotshot crews, 15 hand crews and 48 engines are now assigned to the Klondike West Fire. In addition, six heavy helicopters and four light helicopters are also available today. The retardant line along Silver Peak Ridge held through the day yesterday and the fire did not cross Silver Creek Ridge. Air tankers and large helicopters were used to keep the fire in check. The fire also burned westward in the Silver Creek drainage where it became very active yesterday afternoon. The fire spread into to the confluence of Silver Creek and the Illinois River. A large smoke plume developed yesterday afternoon as the fire burned through dead and down trees killed in the...

FIRE UPDATE AUGUST 28, 2018 Klondike Fire West Zone California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 Jay Kurth, Incident Commander Firefighters continue to implement an aggressive and adaptive approach to suppressing the fire in the Klondike West Zone. Additional hotshot crews, hand crews and engines arrived yesterday. Three hotshot crews, 15 hand crews and 48 engines are now assigned to the Klondike West Fire. In addition, six heavy helicopters and four light helicopters are also available today. The retardant line along Silver Peak Ridge held through the day yesterday and the fire did not cross Silver Creek Ridge. Air tankers and large helicopters were used to keep the fire in check. The fire also burned westward in the Silver Creek drainage where it became very active yesterday afternoon. The fire spread into to the confluence of Silver Creek and the Illinois River. A large smoke plume developed yesterday afternoon as the fire burned through dead...

Special StatementThis air quality forecast predicts potential particulate matterlevels, not ozone. Forecast is based on 24 hour average. FireContainment remained the same for Miles, Columbus andRamsey Canyon fires with no growth. Smoldering and creepingcontinues as there is still some fuel consumption inside the fireperimeter. Watson Creek Fire grew another 510 acres burninginterior fuel bringing a total of 56,695 acres and 65%containment. Warm temperatures and dry easterly winds areexpected to contribute to fire growth today. SmokeSmoke impacts are expected to be 'Good' with periods of'Moderate' levels with easterly winds from Watson Creek Fire.Smoke plume from Watson Creek fire may impact KlamathFalls and Chiloquin. With hot and dry air returning to theregion, air quality may change to 'Moderate' level for somecommunities tomorrow with north and northwesterly

Work efforts continue on securing and reinforcing fire lines on the east and west ends of the gap between the Miles and Columbus fires, which are slowly burning toward each other. Repair work will continue to focus on restoring dozer lines and hand-lines to a more natural state and to prevent sediment runoff from impacting fish-bearing streams. Firefighters will continue to patrol lines by road to ensure that any flare-ups that occur in the fire interior do not pose a threat to fire containment. A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team will soon begin working within the fire perimeter to assess its effects to slope stability, fisheries, wildlife habitat, public safety, and other important values. A hazard tree felling team will begin working along roadways to make the fire interior accessible for the BAER team. Until seasonal rains arrive, stumps, logs, and other ground fuels will continue to produce visible smokes. However, all contained areas have been mopped up by firefighters...

Ramsey Canyon Fire 8-27-18 Evening Update#QuickFacts: Incident Start Date: 8/22/2018Incident Start Time: Approx. 12:45 p.m.Incident Type: WildfireCause: Under InvestigationEst. Cost to Date: $5.3 millionIncident Location: near Sams Valley, Jackson County, OregonLand Threat: Private, BLM, IndustrialCommand Agency: ODF/OSFMFire Size: 1,971 acresContainment: 40%Expected Full Containment: 9/10/2018Civilian Injuries: 0Firefighter Injuries: 4Structures Threatened: 315Structures Destroyed: 1Structures Damaged: 0Current Situation:Firefighters continue working towards today’s objective of mopping up in at least 50 feet. In some places they are closer to 100 feet. Firefighters will continue to use infra-red cameras tonight to reveal heat sources buried deep in the ground. Upon discovery, the spots will be flagged for the night crews to work on and for the next day shift to double-check and completely extinguish. In addition, firefighters continue monitoring the unburned areas around...