Update - Sunday, September 27, 2009
Incident: Tumblebug Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/27/2009
Continued heavy smoke over the Tumblebug Complex Saturday forced firefighters in one section of the fire to retreat to a safer work area, while helicopters dropped buckets of water in another division. In still other sections of the 11,200-acre fire, firefighters continued brushing out roads, and during late afternoon and evening, conducted burnout operations. While the fire was active in the afternoon, only minimal growth occurred in the SW area of the fire. Overnight, crews continued burnout on the west side of the fire, and fire behavior was quite active in several pockets in the south and east portions of the fire.
Firefighters again expect smoky conditions in the morning on Sunday until the inversion lifts and east winds blow the smoke out. Wind speeds are predicted to range between six and 11 miles per hour, with gusts up to 20 miles per hour, fanning flames and potentially lofting fire brands up to 1.2 miles. With relative humidity down to around eight per cent, there is a very high probability that any embers landing in unburned fuels will ignite.
Meanwhile, much of the fire perimeter along the north and west edges has been burned out and firefighters continue to mop up 100 feet from the edge.
A strong cold front is predicted to arrive by late Monday, bringing cool and damp air. By Tuesday, temperatures are expected to drop 25 to 30 degrees lower than Sunday, decreasing fire behavior somewhat.
Beginning today, crews and other surplus resources are being demobilized from the fire. One heavy helicopter will depart after shift, while some engines and crews are preparing to leave during the day. As weather conditions change and containment lines are secured over the next few days, it is expected the number of resources assigned to the fire will continue to decline significantly.
Closure description and a map of the area are posted on the incident website and the Willamette NF website at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette/.
Fire at a Glance:
Approximate Size: 11,200 Acres
Containment: 15%
Expected Containment: 10/15/09
Location: 24 Miles SE of Oakridge, OR
Cause: Lightning, 9/12
Personnel: 1284
Helicopters: 9
Crews: 34
Engines: 45
Dozers: 9
Closures/Restrictions:
The following Forest Roads are closed: 21, 23, 2102, 2106, 2110, 2115, 2117, 2118, 2119, 2120, 2124, 2125, 2127, 2129, 2133, 2134, 2135, 2136, 2137, 2143, 2144, 2149, 2153, 2154, 2160, 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, Timpanogas Lake
