Garner Complex Evening Update – 7-28-18 – 9:00pm

The combination of continued high temperatures, low humidities and dry fuels produced active fire behavior across large portions of the Taylor Creek Fire today. Fire crews used a combination of aircraft, line construction and burnout operations to keep the fire in check. Crews reinforced alternate containment lines on the eastern flank of the fire where it passed over primary lines. Improved air quality allowed fire managers to fly numerous helicopter missions dropping water to cool hot spots.

This evening, structure suppression and wildland forces will be working together to construct and reinforce containment lines to halt the fire’s forward progress. Eleven task forces from the Oregon State Fire Marshalls office will patrolling the fire’s perimeter, support the wildland crews completing burnout operations, provide water sources, and protect structures if needed.

On the northern flank of the fire, crews will construct new dozer lines that will allow them to use the Rogue River as part of the containment line.

The historic heat wave hitting the region is expected to continue till Monday when temperatures should begin to moderate. The forecasted weather will continue to promote active fire behavior which will challenge the fire crews. Fire activity from burnout operations will continue to be visible to local residents.

Mop up operations are in full swing on the Grave Creek Fire on the eastern side of the Garner Complex. Fire managers aim to mop up 150 feet from the fire’s edge. Perimeter control lines have held for several days, allowing fire managers to focus more resources on the Taylor Fire.

The Josephine County Sheriff on Thursday afternoon extended the mandatory evacuation areas to a level 3 (GO!) between the eastern flank of the fire and the Rogue River. Up-to-date information on evacuations is available from the Joint Information Center at 541-474-5305 (8 a.m. to 11 p.m.).

For a downloadable, printable version of this update, click here –
https://tinyurl.com/GarnerComplexPMUpdate7-28