North Fork Complex: September 14, 2009
Incident: North Fork Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/14/2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
North Fork Complex
FIRE UPDATE
Estimated Acreage: 8,410 Acres
Resources on the Fire:
20-person fire crews: 4
Engines: 5
Water Tenders: 1
Dozers: 2
Overhead: 8 Total Personnel: 120
Location: 15 miles SE of Ukiah, OR in the North Fork John Day Wilderness. Lat: 44o55'29" Long: 118o39'5"
Cause - Date Started: Lightning, Aug. 1, 2009
Current Update: Both North Fork Complex fires saw active fire behavior over the weekend (September 12-13.) High temperatures, combined with low humidities and unusual winds from the north-northeast, pushed the two fires out of the North Fork John Day River Canyon and up on the ridge tops along Forest Road 5505. This push to the south and southwest prompted the closure on portions of Forest Roads 5505 and1010 and the North Fork John Day Trail. A map of the closure area, including road and trail closures, is available on http://www.inciweb.org/.
Though both fires are burning within the confine/containment strategy box, fire managers saw a significant gain in acreage with Sunday evening's Infra-red flight data. Helicopter bucket work involved dropping water on hot areas to reduce the potential for spotting across the management action lines. Only used on Saturday, favorable winds on Sunday pushed the fire back into itself, and closed the gap between the two fires.
Cooler temperatures are expected today though warm daytime temperatures are forecasted for the next week. It's likely the two fires may burn together in the Simpson Creek drainage over the next day or two. As the two fires move towards each other along the North Fork John Day River, there's continued concern for spotting across the river to the north.
Saturday's fire activity put a considerable amount of smoke in the air. A smoke column could be seen by surrounding communities over 60 miles away. The amount of smoke produced by these fires will fluctuate daily depending upon weather conditions and how active the fires are burning. As we move into fall, morning inversions will become stronger and we'll likely see smoke settling into valleys for longer periods of time and becoming more noticeable.
The Incident Management Team is taking action securing the fire on the management action lines as the fire nears. With the fire on roads and trails, firefighters can work in a safe environment and be cost-effective in limiting the access to unburned fuel. Opportunities to secure the fire over the long term improve as the fire nears the management action lines.
Incident 136 (Raspberry Creek): The southeast flank of the fire was very activity this weekend as winds pushed the fire south into Simpson Creek and southwest towards the 5505 road.
Incident 129 (Cougar/Basin Creek): The southern most portion of this fire backed down into Glade Creek and has burned in the 1996 Bull Fire scar. Though the fuel loading has been greatly modified in this old burn, fire managers are observing more active burning than expected as it picks its way through the available fuels.
Restrictions and Closures: The Umatilla National Forest has a temporary area, road and trail closure in the area surrounding the North Fork Complex fires. Maps are available at http://www.inciweb.org/.
Area Closure:
From the confluence of Otter Creek with the North Fork (NF) of the North Fork John Day River following Otter Creek south to the Junction of Forest Rd (FR) 5505. From that junction follow FR 5505 southeast to the junction of FR 1010. Then follow FR 1010 easterly to the junction of Forest Trail # 3008, then along Forest Trail #3008 easterly down the ridgeline to the confluence of the North Fork John Day River. At that confluence head westerly along the NF John Day River to the junction of Otter Creek.
Trail Closures:
· Trail # 3006
· Trail # 3007 Kelsay/Cougar Creek Trail
· Trail # 3008 Cold Spring Trail
· Trail # 3014 Glade Creek Trail
· Trail # 3043 (between FR 5507 and FR 5506)
· Trail # 3022 North Fork John Day Trail (from the trailhead east to the junction of Trail # 3014)
Road Closures:
· FR 1010 (including all spurs that originate from FR 1010) from junction of FR 10 easterly to the switchback at the junction of FR 1010380
· FR 5505 from junction of FR 5505050 to junction of FR 1010
· FR 5506 from the Gold Dredge Campground east to the jct. of the trailhead for Forest Trail # 3022
· FR 5506130 from junction of FR 5506 to junction of FR 5507
Hunter's Information: It is likely these fires will remain active on the landscape until late fall, requiring the area closure to remain in effect for some time. Additional road, trail and area closures may need to be implemented as the fire moves through the area. If hunting near the closure area, you should be aware of your surroundings and watching for signs of active fire behavior, hot and dry weather conditions, rapid fire movement or abundant smoke. If camping near the area closure, be prepared to move your camp quickly if fire activity increases.
Long Term Suppression Strategy: Fire managers are monitoring the fires closely, watching for "trigger points" such as increased fire behavior, fire spread, and hot, dry weather conditions. Trigger points allow fire managers to adjust firefighting actions and resources accordingly. Managing wilderness fires in this manner provides for firefighter safety and reduces fire costs.
Management: Lance Delgado, Type 3 Incident Commander.
Fire Weather: as of September 14, 2009 (National Weather Service)
Today: Scattered showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Calm wind becoming west northwest around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. North wind around 6 mph becoming calm. Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming north northeast around 5 mph. Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. East wind around 7 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. South wind between 3 and 6 mph. Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.
