Friday Update, September 25, 2009
Incident: Tumblebug Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/25/2009
(Oakridge, OR ) On Thursday, crews prepped contingency lines for night burnout and worked to suppress three spots on the northeast perimeter. Night crews continued burnouts south of Forest Road 21, along the 315 road, to secure resources at Sacandaga Campground area. Two spike camps have been established to reduce travel time for crews working the south perimeter.
The return of a warming and drying trend with moderate east winds is expected this weekend. Winds are predicted to be less gusty than the wind event earlier this week, but are expected to drive fire growth westward. Thursday's 11:30 pm infrared flight showed the primary heat located along the north and south sides of the fire perimeter. Smoky conditions grounded helicopters in the morning onThursday due to lack of visibility, but clearing in the afternoon allowed a full contingent of helicopters to resume work. On Friday, fire managers expect some smoke in the fire area to clear and anticipate more opportunity to work the fire with helicopter water bucket drops.
Besides bees, dehydration, and rolling debris, firefighters
must stay clear of falling green trees, which have lost their root structures as the fire burned through. During recent night operations, an engine was damaged when a 16" Hemlock tree fell across the hood. No one was injured. Falling green trees and snags can be heard frequently within the fire perimeter.
Recreationists are advised to refer to the closure area for public safety. Most of the Middle Fork Willamette drainage is closed south of Hills Creek Dam. 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/.
Fire at a Glance (9/25/09)
Approximate Size: 10,500 AcresContainment: 5%
Expected Containment: 10/22/09
Location: 24 Miles SE of Oakridge, OR
Cause: Lightning, 9/12
Personnel: 1283
Helicopters: 9
Crews: 30
Engines: 46
Dozers: 8
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:
mailto:canalcreek2009@gmail.com
Web Site: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1863
