Firefighters Hard Work Pays Off
Incident: North Fork Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 8/27/2008
Umpqua National Forest www.fs.fed.us/r6/umpqua
Contact: Pam Sichting 957-3487
Firefighters Hard Work Pays Off
ROSEBURG, OR - August 27, 2008, 8 am - Firefighters across the Forest continued to work very hard over the last several days and the results show. All of the 104 fire starts from the week-end of August 16th lighting bust are now considered contained, in patrol status, or controlled with exception of the Rattle Fire. The Rattle Fire is part of the North Fork Fire Complex and burning in the Boulder Creek Wilderness Area. Firefighters continue to work to suppress this challenging fire under management of the Rob Batten's Blue Mountain Management Team.
"We really appreciate everyone's diligent work while keeping a primary focus on working safely" stated Joe Linn, Umpqua National Forest Fire Staff Officer, reflecting on the work already and yet to be completed.
The North Fork Complex contains the North Fork and Rattle Fires. The North Fork Fire acreage remains at 451 acres and 100% contained. The Rattle Fire is estimated at 541 acres and 0% contained. The Complex has a combined 526 personnel. A Forest Closure Order remains in effect that closes access to the upper portion of the Illahee Flat Road, trails into the Boulder Creek Wilderness, and the entire Wilderness. For more information on this fire and related closures go to the Inciweb Incident Information System website at http://inciweb.org/incident/1477 or call the Complex information line at (541) 496-9609.
The Lonesome Fire burning in the Rogue-Umpqua Divide remains at 411 acres and in various stages of mop-up. A Closure Order restricting access to the fire area is in place. For more information on this closure or fire contact Paul Galloway at (541) 560-3400 or visit the Inciweb website at http://inciweb.org/incident/1497.
With Labor Day fast approaching, the Umpqua National Forest would like to remind Forest visitors to be diligent while in driving in the area. Firefighting resources are still working in the and traveling the roads plus general archery season starts this week-end.
The Forest would also remind the public that several types of restrictions are in place that may affect visitor's activities. Three separate Forest Closures due to fire activity and public use restrictions which limits campfires, smoking, motorized travel, and internal combustions engines are in place due to very high fire danger. Please see the Umpqua National Forest website listed above a complete listing of restrictions.
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