Oak Flat Fire Update 9/4/10 08:00
Incident: Oak Flat Wildfire
Released: 9/4/2010
Oak Flat Fire Update:
Grants Pass, OR - Firefighters were able to keep the fire in check on all fronts yesterday despite the adverse winds and dry conditions. The heavy helicopters attacked hot spots and hand crews worked late to keep the fire from spreading further. Additional burnouts were completed to further protect Sam Brown Campground, the private land to the east, and to stop the northern movement of the burning perimeter in the northwest corner near Chrome Ridge. The Incident Management Team is evaluating long range weather and fire behavior forecasts to better plan future staffing and suppression actions.
A cold front with a lingering low pressure is expected to arrive today which will reduce temperatures 10 degrees and increase relative humidity by 10 -15 percent. This will reduce the active fire behavior today and with the cooler temperatures continuing for through next week, fire spread is expected to be greatly diminished. This will give firefighters time to secure the containment lines and secure the northernmost fire perimeter.
Smoke will accumulate over the fire later today due to a low-level inversion and a light northerly wind is expected to send smoke south towards Illinois Valley giving communities to the north clearer skies.
Sam Brown Campground, the 2500 road (Taylor Creek Road), the 2402 road and all roads in the closure area remain closed to all but fire traffic.
For additional information, please see www.inciweb.org/2066.
