Update Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Incident: Tumblebug Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/23/2009
Northwest Oregon Area InteragencyIncident Management Team Carl West, Incident Commander (Oakridge, OR ) A second day of prevailing east winds drove the size of the Tumblebug Complex to 5,126 acres Tuesday. Fire spread to the west, north, and south as fire plumes built dramatically and collapsed, sending embers to ignite spotfires. Firefighters worked firelines when safe to do so and at other times were ordered to stand down as the fire made erratic runs. All personnel and equipment were moved from Sacandaga Campground. The fire continues to push to the north, with night shift crews hoping to keep the fire south of the 21 road.
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Severe Fire Weather today. It is a "Haines 6" day, which is a measure of both dryness and atmospheric instability. An index of six is the maximum and is rarely seen.
Due to extreme fire behavior and rapid fire growth, the closure area has been extended significantly to provide for public safety. The 21 and 23 roads will both be closed at their junction near Highway 58 in order to prevent recreationists from inadvertently getting in front of the fire.
The complete closure description and a map of the area is posted on the incident website and the Willamette NF website at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette/.
The fire team will host a community meeting Thursday evening at 6:30 in the Oakridge High School auditorium.
Winds decreased somewhat on Tuesday, gusting to 25 miles per hour as compared with Monday's 35 mph surges. The relative humidity, which started in the teens in the morning, had dropped to 4 per cent by afternoon. Last night's highest relative humidity reading was only 19 per cent, and fire intensity did not abate.
Winds on the fire are expected to shift to westerly today, but higher elevation winds may send smoke and embers to the north.
Fire at a Glance (9/23/09)
Approximate Size: 5126 Acres
Containment: 5%
Location: 24 Miles SE of Oakridge, OR
Cause: Lightning
Date of Ignition: September 12
Personnel: 828
Helicopters: 9
Crews: 21
Engines: 25
Dozers: 5
NEW Closures/Restrictions:
The following Forest Roads are closed: 21 (partial), 23, 2102, 2106, 2110, 2115, 2117, 2118, 2119, 2120, 2124, 2125, 2127, 2129, 2133, 2134, 2135, 2136, 2137, 2143, 2144, 2154, 2302, 2303, 2307, 2308, 2309, 5850, 5851
Campground Closures:
Packard Creek, Sand Prairie, Camper's Flat, Sacandaga, Indigo Springs, Secret, Young's Flat Dispersed Area
Fire Information:
Contact: Lauren Maloney
Phone: 541-782-2870
Email: tumblebugfire@gmail.com
