Boze and Rainbow Creek Fire Updates 9-27-09
Incident: Boze and Rainbow Creek Wildfire
Released: 9/27/2009
TILLER, OR - September 27, 2009 - The National Incident Management (NIMO) Type 1 team continues to manage the Boze Fire, located 9 miles southwest of Toketee Falls, and the Rainbow Creek Fire, located in and near the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness Area.
Stable air over the fire area, while contributing to lingering smoke in the valleys of southwest Oregon, has helped to limit the spread of both fires for several days. Fire weather conditions were moderate on Saturday, resulting in a slight combined increase of about 586 acres for both fires. The Boze Fire now stands at 9,482 acres and the Rainbow Creek Fire has grown to 3,244 acres.
The weather forecast today calls for much drier and warmer air and shifting winds, creating an increased potential for fire spread. "We will remain focused on our primary objective of firefighter and public safety", said Incident Commander Tom Cable. "This is certainly a heads-up day for firefighters. Our operational priority is the protection of recreation facilities and keeping the fire north and west of the 28 Road." Structure protection groups are prepared to utilize the pumps, hoses and sprinklers they have previously set up if fire threatens any recreational developments.
A cold frontal passage is expected for Monday and Tuesday, with a strong chance of rain and much cooler temperatures. This weather will significantly decrease the risk of fire spread.
Resources assigned to the Boze and Rainbow Creek Fires include: 16 crews, 1 heavy-lift helicopter, 2 medium helicopters, 2 light helicopters, 16 engines, 1 dozer, 7 water tenders, 191 overhead and 3 camp crews. Several engines are assigned to patrol the fire area at night. In total, 574 people are assigned to fighting these fires.
Local hunters may find access into their favorite hunting areas in the upper South Umpqua River unreachable due to road closures. With bow season underway and rifle season quickly approaching, hunters need to plan ahead to access other locations. A large area and road closure has been put in place to provide for public and firefighter safety. Additionally, public-use restrictions in the North Umpqua, Diamond Lake and Tiller ranger districts prohibit building, maintaining, tending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire outside of developed recreation sites such as campgrounds, lookouts and trailheads. Liquefied and bottle gas stoves and heaters may be used for cooking and heating.
Please visit the Umpqua National Forest website at www.fs.fed.us/r6/umpqua for the detailed description of the closure area and public-use restrictions. The public is asked to drive slowly and use caution near the South Umpqua River area and to please stay off closed roads.
