Lonesome Complex Fire Update 8/23/08
Incident: Lonesome Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 8/23/2008
Contact: Paul Galloway at (541) 560-3400
Fire Update
Lonesome Complex - High Cascades Ranger District
MEDFORD, OR, August 23, 2008, (10:00 a.m.) - Firefighters took advantage of moderate fire behavior and made good progress yesterday on the three fires of the Lonesome Complex. Road, trail and area closures are now in effect for areas near the Lonesome Fire to provide for public and firefighter safety. Detailed information on the closures can be found at local Forest Service offices or on the web at: www.inciweb.org.
The Lonesome Fire continues to slowly spread along the Rogue-Umpqua Divide, on both the Rogue River-Siskiyou and Umpqua National Forests. Still estimated at 500 acres, the fire has burned into the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness near Buckneck Mountain. This fire is being fought utilizing Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics due to its remote location, fire behavior, and associated resource values. Today there are five twenty person handcrews and two engines assigned to this fire.
The Bessie Rock Fire displayed minimal fire behavior yesterday and continues to be estimated at 150 acres. Four handcrews, twelve smokejumpers, and two engines will continue line construction and anticipate having this fire totally lined by the end of today.
The Middle Fork Fire has one handcrew assigned today to begin fireline construction along the Middle Fork Trail within the Sky Lakes Wilderness. Again, minimal fire behavior was observed yesterday on this 20 acre fire situated in very steep terrain. A Type 1 heavy helitanker is available to support suppression activities on each of the fires on the complex.
There are no campfire restrictions on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest outside the Rogue National Wild and Scenic River corridor. Campfires are allowed in campgrounds and dispersed recreation areas within rock fire rings. Fire danger in southern Oregon remains high to extreme. Make sure your fire is dead out before you leave it. Drown it with water, and then drown it again.
