Lonesome Complex Update 8/26/08
Incident: Lonesome Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 8/26/2008
Fire Update
Lonesome Complex - High Cascades Ranger District
PROSPECT, OR, August 26, 2008, (9:00 a.m.) -Significant progress was made yesterday on the Lonesome and Bessie Rock Fires of the 523 acre Lonesome Complex, as cooler temperatures allowed firefighters to continue securing lines around both fires. Today's activity on each fire will be to continue mop-up and rehabilitation of firelines, and to begin to remove equipment and supplies used during suppression activities.
The Middle Fork Fire continues to grow along the face of a steep canyon within the Sky Lakes Wilderness. This fire is now estimated to be 43 acres as it slowly advances through down dead fuels. A crew will continue to work along the bottom edge of the fire along the Middle Fork Trail #978 in order to keep the fire on the south side of the trail. A Long Term Analysis Team will be completing its assessment of this fire's potential for growth and future management opportunities today. The Middle Fork Trail remains closed due to public and firefighter safety concerns.
The 411 acre Lonesome Fire has four handcrews assigned today to continue mop-up operations. An area, road and trail closure remains in effect around this fire.
On the 69 acre Bessie Rock Fire one handcrew, with the support of two water tenders, will be mopping up.
All other fires on the High Cascades Ranger District sparked by the series of lightning storms that ignited the Lonesome Complex are either out or in patrol status. Details and maps of the Lonesome Fire closure area and Middle Fork Trail closure are available at local Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest offices or on the web at www.inciweb.org.
