North Fork Complex: September 23, 2009
Incident: North Fork Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/23/2009
Thursday, September 23, 2009
North Fork Complex
FIRE UPDATE
Estimated Acreage: 10,709 Acres
Resources on the Fire:
20-person fire crews: 2
Engines: 3
Overhead: 4 Total Personnel: 55
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: Unseasonably warm and dry weather has resulted in active ehavior on the North Fork Complex. The two fires have burned together mid slope in the Simpson Creek drainage attributing to the growth in acreage. A new Infra-red Fire Perimeter Map is available on http://www.inciweb.org/.
Smoke columns have been visible from the fire each afternoon and evening as the fire moves through large tracts of unburned ground within the management action perimeter. Fire managers expect the fire to continue to put a considerable amount of smoke in the air over the next few days. 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 farther into fall, morning inversions will become stronger and we'll likely see smoke settling into valleys for longer periods of time.
The fire remains confined between Forest Roads 1010 and 5505 and Raspberry Drainage to the west, Forest Road 5506 and the North Fork John Day River to the north and east.
Areas of concern: North Fork John Day River from Cougar Creek to Bismark Creek - The fire continues to back down steep terrain towards the river. Adverse winds have the potential to push embers that could result in spotting across the river.
Wilderness Patrol canvassed the area north and east of the NFJD River to document hunting camp locations and visit with hunters about the need to be prepared to leave the area on short notice should the fire spot across the river.
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: Tyson Albrecht, Type 4 Incident Commander.
Fire Weather: as of September 23, 2009 (National Weather Service)
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming north northwest between 6 and 9 mph. Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 44. North wind between 8 and 11 mph becoming calm. Friday: Sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming north between 7 and 10 mph. Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41. Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 78. Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 43.
