With slightly moderating temperatures and winds, increased relative humidity, and no recent adverse weather events, firefighting efforts are making great progress wrapping up most of the Forest’s local fires from lightning activity earlier this month.
Many resources are being released across the forest from all but the Buckskin Fire. Six crews have been released over the past 24 hours with another being de-mobbed tomorrow from Gold Beach. One local Type II crew and one Type 6 Engine will remain stationed at the Forest Service Agness Guard Station in Agness, OR, east of Gold Beach.
One VLAT (very large air tanker) and one LAT (large air tanker) have been operational today on the Buckskin Fire, in preparation for the planned burnout tomorrow, pre-treating (with retardant) the east and south containment lines outside of the Wilderness.
Residents and visitors were likely to have seen an increased amount of air activity today from these efforts.
No structures to date have been threatened by any of the fires.
Wild Rivers Ranger District
The Buckskin Fire, located in Curry County, is approximately 2360 acres in size. There is currently an area closure in place. For more information on the closure, please visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts-notices. For more information on the Buckskin Fire, please visit Inciweb http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/state/38/.
Red Dog Fire located five miles SW of Onion Mountain has been 100% contained at 12.1 acres, and mopped up and in patrol status.
Little Onion Fire is located two miles SE of Galice in Josephine County on the Wild Rivers Ranger District. This fire has been 100% contained at 3.75 acres, mopped up and also in patrol status.
Limpy Creek Fire at .1 acre has been declared out.
Gold Beach Ranger District
The Tom Fry, Hog Mountain, and North Smith Fires have all been declared out at 3.75 acres, 1.5 acres, and 1 acre respectively. Periodic patrols continue.
The Miller Fire at 7.4 acres in size has been 100% contained. Crews continue to mop up and patrol.
High Cascades Ranger District
The Cowboy Fire at .1 acre has been declared out.
Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District
The Yew Wood Fire contained at 2.59 acres is currently in patrol status.
The Widow Fire remains at .1 acre. This is an 8-foot diameter tree with high complexity, leaving it unable to be felled or blasted. The top has broken off and no visible fire remains in the tree. However, handline has been constructed around the predicted fall area, pumps are in place to support if needed, and patrols will continue.
For current recorded fire regulations, precautions, Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL), and closure information 24 hours a day, call 800-267-3126.
There are no current weather watches or Red Flag Warnings for the area. For additional fire and weather information, please go to the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou or the Medford Interagency Dispatch Center at http://ormic.org/ or follow us on Twitter @RRSNF.
