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FIRE AREA EMERGENCY CLOSURE FREMONT-WINEMA NATIONAL FOREST Order Number 06-02-03-18-02 Pursuant to Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations §261.50 (a) and (b), the following act is prohibited on National Forest System lands and roads within the following described area on the Paisley, Silver Lake and Bly Ranger Districts, Fremont-Winema National Forest, as described in attached Exhibit A. See full closure order here.

There will be a community fire information meeting today at 6:00 p.m. at the Grange on 2nd Street in Happy Camp. Weather: Continued hot, dry, and sunny due to high pressure over the fire area. This high pressure will create a stronger inversion leading to increased smoke in the valleys and ridges through the daylight hours. Morning calm winds will shift to 3 to 6 mph out of the southwest to northwest later in the day, with stronger 10 mph upslope winds due to afternoon heating. Poor humidity recovery on the ridges last night will lead to daytime relative humidity in the twenties to teens. Max temperatures: 90-100 in the valleys and upper 80s on the ridges. Yesterday’s Activities: Patrol, mop up, and backhaul of equipment continued on the north half of the fire. This area of the fire contains most of the established containment lines. On the northwest side, fire managers are constructing a contingency line strategy using a masticator and hand crews to remove fuel along a road...

Critical fire weather to test Taylor Creek and Klondike firelines. A wind event is forecast to begin today bringing winds from the northeast and is expected continue through the weekend. Gusts up to 20mph in aligned valleys are forecasted for this afternoon. In the southeast part of the Klondike fire, winds will push fire away from people and homes east of Route 199 and toward Babyfoot Road. Firefighters are in place to protect and hold the fireline and continue to protect structures in the area. Fire will become more active with increased flame lengths, rates of spread and potential for spotting. Smoke from the Klondike fire will be blown to the southwest, but winds may bring smoke from other fires in the state to the Grants Pass and Selma areas. Crews hold southeastern Klondike Fire amid increased fire activity. The fire was active along the Illinois River Rd where crews continue to defend homes. Rosenblatt House, McCaleb Ranch, Chittim House and all other structures remain secure....

Critical fire weather to test Taylor Creek and Klondike firelines. A wind event is forecast to begin today bringing winds from the northeast and is expected continue through the weekend. Gusts up to 20mph in aligned valleys are forecasted for this afternoon. In the southeast part of the Klondike fire, winds will push fire away from people and homes east of Route 199 and toward Babyfoot Road. Firefighters are in place to protect and hold the fireline and continue to protect structures in the area. Fire will become more active with increased flame lengths, rates of spread and potential for spotting. Smoke from the Klondike fire will be blown to the southwest, but winds may bring smoke from other fires in the state to the Grants Pass and Selma areas. Crews hold southeastern Klondike Fire amid increased fire activity. The fire was active along the Illinois River Rd where crews continue to defend homes. Rosenblatt House, McCaleb Ranch, Chittim House and all other structures remain secure....

The number of fires under the direction of the Northern Rockies and Oregon Department of Forestry incident management teams is beginning to dwindle. With the Snow Shoe Fire declared fully contained yesterday, suppression resources will narrow their focus to the remaining two fires, Miles and Columbus. The final acreage for the Snow Shoe Fire stands at 3,816 acres. Fire suppression repair work and salvage logging operations will continue on Snow Shoe. Firefighters continue to increase containment on both of the remaining fires. The northwest flank of the Miles Fire was the most active yesterday in the Elkhorn Peak area with increased burning taking place well within control lines. With that portion of the fire burning in steep, rugged terrain, fire operations personnel continue to let the fire slowly work its way toward established control lines. They will continue to look for opportunities, under the right conditions, to conduct burnout operations when necessary. Fire behavior in...

PAISLEY, Ore. – The Watson Creek Fire grew to over 1,000 acres today due to difficult terrain and heavy mixed vegetation of standing and down lodge pole pine from beetle kill. The fire was reported yesterday afternoon approximately 15 miles west of Paisley and is burning on the Fremont-Winema National Forest Paisley Ranger District. Firefighters progress is slow due to the amount of dead and down logs as well as standing snags. The numerous hazards make it tough to effectively and safely fight fire. The dry burnable fuel on the ground in front of the fire is creating issues with access. Gusty afternoon winds today contributed to the fire spotting up to a half mile away. The use of additional aircraft for support has been limited by visibility in the area. Forecasts tomorrow predict north winds which would push the main fire to the southeast. Resources assigned to the fire include a Single Engine Air Tanker, lead plane, 2 fixed wing air attack air tankers, 20-person crew, 2...

Emergency Closure Area Expanded for Natchez Fire: The emergency closure area surrounding the Natchez Fire has been expanded on Klamath National Forest lands. The expanded area is necessary for public safety because of fire spotting and implementation of contingency plans for fire lines to minimize the risk of fire spreading south and east toward the community of Happy Camp, California. Going into or being on National Forest lands, roads, or trails within the closure area is prohibited. Forest Road No. 48, known as Grayback Road, remains open to public use. The new boundary for the emergency closure area begins at the intersection of Forest Road 48 (Grayback Road) and the common boundary between the Klamath National Forest boundary and the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, then continues southeasterly along the western edge of Grayback Road to its intersection with Highway 96, then continues southwest along the northern edge of Highway 96 to its intersection with Forest Road No....

PAISLEY, Ore. – The Watson Creek Fire grew to 350 acres earlier today due to difficult terrain and poor visibility.The fire was confirmed yesterday at 2:55 p.m. approximately 15 miles west of Paisley. The fire is burning on the Fremont-Winema National Forest Paisley Ranger District Firefighters are working in difficult terrain with limited access. The fire is currently actively burning to the northeast. Initial attack resources on scene: Air Attack, two heavy air tankers, three helicopters, six engines, two water tenders, three dozers, multiple overhead, and a 10-person handcrew. The use of additional aircraft for support has been limited by visibility in the area. A Type II Incident Management Team has been ordered to assume command of operations. Due to the fire situation road closures and evacuations are being put in place. Forest Service 28 RD – South from junction of FS road 30 to FS road 34, at the junction with FS road 29, and at the junction with FS road 3315. Forest...

There will be a community fire information meeting Friday, August 17, 6:00 p.m., at the Grange on 2nd Street in Happy Camp. Weather: Warm, dry, and sunny with areas of smoke. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms. SW to NW winds at 3-6 mph with gusts up to 10 mph on ridges during the day. Night will bring NE winds with gusts up to 15 mph over exposed areas. Elsewhere, terrain driven winds will be at 0-4 mph. Minimum relative humidity will be 20%. Max temperatures: 90-95 in the valleys to 75-85 on the ridges. Yesterday’s Activities: Firefighters, with aircraft support, prepped the fireline and used low intensity firing to continue bringing the new primary fireline from the burn scar from the 2017 Eclipse Complex on the south, to South Fork Indian Creek. Work continued to further strengthen this fireline to minimize the potential for spotting across the line. Firefighters also worked to improve the fireline west of Mud Lake. Assessment of potential contingency lines west of Mud...

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office has announced a Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notice. This is for all residences on the west side of US Hwy 199 between Eight Dollar Mountain Road and the Oregon/California border.To read the sheriff's complete press release, please follow the link below.

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office has announced a Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notice. This is for all residences on the west side of US Hwy 199 between Eight Dollar Mountain Road and the Oregon/California border.To read the sheriff's complete press release, please follow the link

Summary: Because the predicted lightning failing to materialize, firefighters were able to continue their focused efforts and gain the upper hand in several areas of these fires. In addition, the Fire Weather Watch that had been in place for today has been removed, even though a slight chance of an isolated thunderstorms remains to the east of the fire. Also aiding fire crews is the lingering smoke from this and other fires throughout southern Oregon, providing shade and reducing firer behavior. Fire managers remain cautiously optimistic as suppression objectives are succeeding as planned.Firefighters are sticking to objectives set early in the suppression effort by minimizing acres burned while providing for public and firefighter safety and protecting all values at risk. Crews remain primed and ready should new fire starts occur in the area, providing initial attack as needed. Miles Fire (32,519 acres, 25% contained): Control lines are strengthening as crews continue to douse...

Evacuation level lowered on Galice Creek Road. Due to the progress made along the northern edge of the Taylor Creek Fire, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office has downgraded the evacuation level on Galice Creek Rd from a Level 2 to a Level 1. The Level 1 evacuation is expected to remain in place for the rest of the 2018 fire season. A Level 1 evacuation means “BE READY,” remain vigilant and stay informed on current events. You can find current evacuation information at http://bit.ly/joco-evac. Surge resources arrive to help with containment. Three hotshot crews on short-term assignment have been inserted on the southeast side of the Klondike Fire for high priority missions. Containment levels increase on the Taylor Creek Fire. Due to progress on the northern and eastern perimeters, containment increased to 52%. Crews continue to mop up and rehabilitate firelines. Firefighters continue to provide protection to structures along the Illinois River where the fire...

Evacuation level lowered on Galice Creek Road. Due to the progress made along the northern edge of the Taylor Creek Fire, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office has downgraded the evacuation level on Galice Creek Rd from a Level 2 to a Level 1. The Level 1 evacuation is expected to remain in place for the rest of the 2018 fire season. A Level 1 evacuation means “BE READY,” remain vigilant and stay informed on current events. You can find current evacuation information at http://bit.ly/joco-evac. Surge resources arrive to help with containment. Three hotshot crews on short-term assignment have been inserted on the southeast side of the Klondike Fire for high priority missions. Containment levels increase on the Taylor Creek Fire. Due to progress on the northern and eastern perimeters, containment increased to 52%. Crews continue to mop up and rehabilitate firelines. Firefighters continue to provide protection to structures along the Illinois River where...

EVACUATION UPDATE from Jackson County Sheriff's Office Full press release: https://flashalert.net/id/JCSO/116576 Due to progress made by crews fighting the Miles Fire, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is further reducing evacuation levels in the Trail and Prospect area on August 15, 2018. The affected area includes only a few homes, plus uninhabited areas. The latest reduction means all homes in the Prospect area previously notified of evacuations are now reduced to a Level 1 “Be Ready” notification. A Citizen Alert notification will be sent today to advise residents affected by the reduced evacuation status. The following is a complete and updated list of evacuation zones associated with the Miles Fire: Level 3 "Go": Trail: Elk Creek Road, 8800-block and above; Sugar Pine Road, all addresses; Dodes Creek Road, all addresses. Level 2 "Be Set": Trail: Elk Creek Road, 5700-block; West Branch Elk Creek Road, upper section (uninhabited). Level 1 “Be Ready”: ...

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is issuing a downgrade from a Level 2 "BE SET” to a Level 1 “Be Ready” for residents on Galice Creek Road from 287 Galice Creek Rd to 1750 Galice Creek. The change goes into effect 8/15 at 3:30 pm.Several evacuation advisories remain in effect for Josephine County. Click here to view the interactive evacuation map.

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is issuing a downgrade from a Level 2 "BE SET” to a Level 1 “Be Ready” for residents on Galice Creek Road from 287 Galice Creek Rd to 1750 Galice Creek. The change goes into effect 8/15 at 3:30 pm. Several evacuation advisories remain in effect for Josephine County. Click here to view the interactive evacuation