North Fork Complex: September 30, 2009
Incident: North Fork Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/30/2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Umatilla National Forest
North Fork Complex
FIRE UPDATE
Cause - Date Started: Lightning, Aug. 1, 2009
Estimated Acreage: 11,050 acres
Location: 15 miles SE of Ukiah, OR in the North Fork John Day Wilderness. Lat: 44o55'29" Long: 118'39'5"
Trail and Area Closures Modified on the North Fork Complex Fires
Current Update: A light dusting of snow, cool temperatures and high humidities have helped to slow the progression of the North Fork Complex Fires. The change in the weather gave firefighters an opportunity to locate and size up two fires that spotted across the North Fork John Day River Monday afternoon. Firefighters estimate the two spot fires have burned several hundred acres on the grassy south facing slopes between Ryder Creek and Paradise Creek. These spot fires are burning in extremely steep and rugged terrain with very limited access. To safely access the spot fires and gather intelligence, firefighters had to hike five miles into the area.
Bob Varner, District Ranger on the North Fork John Day Ranger District has implemented a modified area closure to include the area on the north side of the North Fork John Day River where the fire is most active. Additional trails closures were also implemented. Road closures on the south and west flank of the fire have been lifted. The only remaining road closure includes the section of Forest Road 5506 from Oriental Creek Campground to the Big Creek Trailhead. Area, road and trail closures will be monitored closely and modified as fire activity changes.
Forest officials will continue to patrol Forest Road 5225 (Silver Butte) and trailheads accessing that area of the wilderness to notify campers and hunters of the fire danger. Trailheads will also be posted with wildfire notifications.
Fire behavior is expected to be low to moderate today with higher humidities and lower temperatures in the forecast. Cooler weather, with a chance of rain and snow, is in the forecast for this coming weekend.
Hunter's Information: Deer season begins October 3 and runs through October 14, 2009. 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. Please honor all area, road and trail closures. If camping near the area closure, be prepared to move your camp quickly should fire activity increase.
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: Jerod Russell, Type 4 Incident Commander.
Resources on the Fire:
20-person fire crews: 1
Engines: 1 Overhead: 2 Total Personnel: 30-35
Restrictions and Closures: The Umatilla National Forest has added five new trail closures and expanded the closure area to the list of area, road and trail closures in the area surrounding the North Fork Complex fires. These closures will be monitored and modified as fire activity changes. 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. Follow the North Fork John Day River until the junction of Forest Trail #3033, following that to the junction of Forest Trail #3025. Follow Forest Trail #3025 up the ridge to the junction of FR 5225. Follow Forest Trail #3025 north to the junction of Forest Trail #3019. Follow Forest Trail #3019 to the junction of Forest Trail #3050 and follow that to the junction of Forest Trail #3009. Follow Forest Trail #3009 to the junction of Forest Trail #3022 and from that confluence head westerly along the Forest Trail #3022 to the junction of Otter Creek.
Trail Closures:
· Trail # 3006 Lost Horse Meadow
· Trail # 3007 Kelsay/Cougar Creek Trail
· Trail # 3008 Cold Spring Trail
· Trail # 3009 Corral Creek
· Trail # 3010 Fitzwater Gulch Trail
· Miner's Cabin Trail (no number)
· Trail # 3014 Glade Creek Trail
· Trail # 3025 Silver Butte
· Trail # 3023 Paradise
· Trail # 3033 Silver Hill
· Trail #3050 Corral Connect Trail
· Trail # 3022 North Fork John Day Trail (from the trailhead east to the junction of Trail # 3009)
Road Closures:
· FR 5506 from the Oriental Creek Campground east to the junction of the North Fork John Day Trail trailhead # 3022
Fire Weather: as of Wednesday, September 30, 2009 (National Weather Service)
Thursday: A slight chance of rain and snow before 11am, then a slight chance of rain. Snow level 4300 feet rising to 7000 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Southwest wind between 5 and 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. West southwest wind between 5 and 7 mph. Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. Light west wind. Friday Night: A chance of rain showers before 11pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Snow level 6300 feet lowering to 4900 feet. Cloudy, with a low around 36. Chance of precipitation is 50%.Saturday: Rain and snow showers likely before 11am, then a chance of rain showers. Snow level 5200 feet. Cloudy, with a high near 48. Chance of precipitation is 60%.Saturday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers. Snow level 5400 feet lowering to 4000 feet. Cloudy, with a low around 31.
