Lonesome Complex Update 8/24/08
Incident: Lonesome Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 8/24/2008
Fire Update
Lonesome Complex - High Cascades Ranger District
PROSPECT, OR, August 24, 2008, (9:00 a.m.) - Firefighters continue to make good progress on the three fires of the Lonesome Complex. The complex of fires is now 35% contained. More accurate mapping of the Lonesome, Bessie Rock and Middle Fork Fires yesterday resulted in changes in the amount of acreage estimated within the perimeters of each fire. Road, trail and area closures are now in effect for areas near the Lonesome Fire, and a trail closure has been issued for the Middle Fork Fire to provide for public and firefighter safety. Maps and detailed information on the closures can be found at local Forest Service offices or on the web at: www.inciweb.org.
The Lonesome Fire exhibited no growth yesterday as it continued to smolder at the 6,000 foot elevation of the Rogue Umpqua Divide. The revised acreage for this fire is now 405 acres. Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics continue to be applied to this fire and crews have begun mop-up activities on sections of the completed fireline.
On the Bessie Rock Fire, fireline has been completed around the fire and crews will work today to reinforce the fireline and begin mop-up operations. This fire is now estimated to be 70 acres.
Yesterday a crew worked along the Middle Fork Trail near the bottom of the Middle Fork Fire in order to secure access to the fire and keep it from potentially crossing the river in this steep canyon. This fire, located in the Sky Lakes Wilderness, continues to slowly back its way down to the river. It is now estimated to be 22 acres.
There have been no injuries to firefighters reported on the Lonesome Complex. With the beginning of bowhunting season next weekend and the huckleberry crop ripening, traffic on Forest roads is increasing. High Cascades Ranger District staff and fire managers would like to remind the public to drive defensively and watch out for fire equipment.
