North Fork Complex: September 17, 2009
Incident: North Fork Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/17/2009
Thursday, September 17, 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: 7 Total Personnel: 125
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 low to moderate fire behavior this week and remain burning within the confine/containment strategy box. The two fires (incident 129 and 136) have burned together mid-slope in the Cougar Creek drainage and is now backing down towards the North Fork John Day River in an irregular pattern.
As the two fires continue to move towards each other, there's concern for spotting across the river to the north. Fire managers are looking for opportunities to conduct burnout operations along the river using helicopter "ping pong ball" ignition techniques. Should the fires spot across the North Fork John Day River to the north, forest managers will evaluate the need to implement additional closures on the north side of the river.
Last weekend, 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 and a portion of the 1010 and the North Fork John Day Trail. Crews spent this week burning out strategic sections of unburned ground between the fire and the 5505 and 1010 roads to strengthen and buffer the west and southwest edge of the fireline.
Fire activity continues to put a considerable amount of smoke in the air. 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.
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.
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 from junction of FR 1010070 easterly to the switchback at the junction of FR 1010380, including all spurs that originate from FR 1010 between these two points
· 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
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: Brett Thomas, Type 3 Incident Commander.
Fire Weather: as of September 17, 2009 (National Weather Service)
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 83. Light and variable wind. Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. South southeast wind between 3 and 8 mph. Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Calm wind becoming west northwest between 6 and 9 mph. Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 75. Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.
