Update Saturday, September 26, 2009
Incident: Tumblebug Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/26/2009
(Oakridge, OR ) The Tumblebug Complex was shrouded in smoke Friday. The cooler marine layer trapping the smoke up to 4500 feet, allowed firefighters some respite to directly attack the north edge of the fire on the 315 road. In the northwest, hot spots were contained and mopped up. Along the southern perimeter, crews and heavy equipment continued to tie in sections of the 2154 road for future burnout. Helicopter bucket drops were limited due to lack of visibility. Saturday's fire operations will continue with Friday's plans. The objective to construct a fireline along the extensive southern perimeter is close to completion. Mop up to 100 feet within the perimeter has started on the north and northeast areas of the fire.
Current acreage is 11,100. Saturday's weather is likely to spur active fire behavior in the heads of Echo Creek and Tumblebug Creek, as well as the Cougar Ridge area. Saturday's inversion will be below 5,000 feet, but is expected to dissipate today around midday. Due to warm temperatures overnight, flanking/backing fires are expected with short crowning runs spotting to .8 miles.
Smoke inhalation continues to be a hazard to firefighters with the frequent and long-lasting inversions. Green trees, damaged by burned root systems and inner core burns, are a constant hazard. Two trees fell across a forest road during night shift, but no one was injured.
The closure area associated with the Tumblebug Complex was extended up the Middle Fork of the Willamette River to Timpanogas Lake on Friday. 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 (9/26/09)
Approximate Size: 11,100 Acres Containment: 12%
Expected Containment: 10/15/09
Location: 24 Miles SE of Oakridge, OR
Cause: Lightning, 9/12
Personnel: 1275
Helicopters: 9
Crews: 34
Engines: 45
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: tumblebugfire@gmail.com
Web Site: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1894/
