News Release 10/01/08 9am PT
Incident: Lonesome Complex Wildfire
Released: 10/1/2008
Yesterday's Activities: Mop-up progressed well and crews began pulling hose where mop-up standards had been met. Fire rehabilitation work is being done in cooperation with the National Park Service and Forest Service. Chipping operations along roads is going well, and should be wrapped up in the next couple of days.
Firefighters who have been stationed at the three spike camps around the Lonesome Complex returned to fire camp at Stewart State Park after finishing their shift yesterday. The Lonesome Complex also provided initial attack support for local Forests. Helicopters hauled gear from the spike camps in support of this move.
Weather and Fire Behavior: There was moderate fire activity yesterday within the existing perimeter of the Lonesome Complex. The fire crept around, smoldering in the ground fuels and there was occasional torching of individual and groups of trees. Winds pushed against the uncontained eastern flank of the fire, moving it back into the existing burn. Today's weather again calls for lower temperatures, and higher humidity. Winds are expected to shift direction today from east to south and southwest in the afternoon. Rain is forecast for Thursday afternoon, Friday and Saturday. This should further moderate fire behavior.
Today's Planned Actions: Firefighters will continue holding and checking the spread of the fire and constructing fireline where needed. Mop-up, hose pulling, chipping and fireline rehabilitation work continue as well.
Closures: For the most up-to-date trail, road and campground closure information on National Forest or Park Service lands, please contact the appropriate land management agency. Websites are listed below.
Huckleberry Mt. Campground on the Rogue River Siskiyou is open.
There are closures in the following general areas:
· Crater Lake National Park south of Highway 62
· Northwest corner of the Fremont-Winema National Forests, mostly in the Sky Lakes Wilderness
· Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest north and south of Red Blanket Canyon as well as in the northern quarter of the Sky Lakes Wilderness.
· On Oregon Department of Forestry protected lands, campfires are allowed only in designated campgrounds.
As rifle season opens this weekend for hunters, visitors are reminded that conditions on the Forest are very dry. Please check with the Rogue River-Siskiyou or Fremont-Winema National Forest for information about campfire restrictions.
Quick Facts Summary: Lonesome Complex
Location: 12 miles East of Prospect, OR
Approximate Size: 20,687 acres
Fire Containment: 45%
Start Date: August 16, 2008
Cause: Lightning
Incident Commander: Jeff Pendleton, PNW Team 3
Resources on the Fire: 13 crews, 8 helicopters, 6 engines, 1 dozers, 17 water tenders
Total Personnel: 541
Estimated Containment Date: October 15, 2008
Cooperating Agencies:USFS; NPS
Landowners: USFS;NPS
This Fire Update was produced by the Lonesome Information Center, staffed by PNW Team 3 Incident Management Team.
