July 24, 2018
GARNER COMPLEX
#UPDATEEvening Update 7-24-18 – 10:30pm
QUICK FACTS:
Size: 17,369 acres
Change in last 24 hrs. +2,075 acres
Containment: 18%
Start Date/Time: 7/15/2018 9:00a.m.
Expected Containment Date: 8/7/18
Location: Josephine County
Cause: Lightning
Est. Cost: $13.5 million
Personnel: 2432
Assigned Resources:
Handcrews: 74
Engines: 112
Dozers: 35
Water Tenders: 47
Assigned Aircraft: 27
Structure Task Forces: 9
NOTE: Acreage is updated once daily based on the overnight Infrared flight.
Public Meeting: A second public meeting was held at the Evans Valley Education and Community Center tonight, approximately 350 people attended. Residents were briefed on all fires within the Garner Complex.
Air quality in the region remains in the unhealthy range due to smoke from the multiple fires in the area. It is advised that residents stay inside if you can. If you must go out, avoid and heavy exertion. Individuals who will be most affected include young children, the elderly and people with comprised health, such as emphysema, asthma, and cardiovascular disease. More air quality information can be found at
https://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/.
Construction of direct and indirect control lines continued on the Grave Complex fires. The crews hit the Battle Mountain area hard today putting in lines where the fire had crossed the control line previously.
The Taylor Fire continued to present challenges for firefighters. Specially trained hot shot crews were able to use burnout operations to remove fuels ahead of the fire. Burnout operations concluded at dusk. Individual tree torching may be visible through the night, however all fire remains within the control lines. There are wildland and structural fire fighters working through the night.
For most current evacuation information, please contact the Joint Information Center at 541-474-5305 (8 AM—8 PM). A Red Cross Shelter is set up at the Grants Pass High School at 830 NE 9th Street in Grants Pass. 541-474-5710.
July 24, 2018
Garner Complex #UPDATE
Mid-day Update to the Garner Complex Fires
7-24-18 2:00PM
Here is the information you have been requesting about each fire in the Garner Complex. The Grave Creek Fire is at 6,546 acres. Much of the northern half of the fire has either dozer line, hand line or roads holding the fire in check. Today fire fighters will work on completing construction of hand line and dozer line in mostly the southern and southeastern portions of the fire. Securing, holding, and patrolling containment lines are on-going around much of the fire. Assigned resources are 37 crews, 27 engines, 21 heavy equipment and overhead.
The Pleasant Fire is at 784 acres. Yesterday the fire crossed over the containment line and burned a 30-40 area near Battle Mountain. Crews are working today to put a fire line around it and bring that portion back inside the fire line perimeter. Aircraft are planned to be active in this area. Most of the fire perimeter is secure by roads or dozer lines. In areas where there is unburned fuels between the fire perimeter and control lines or roads, Hot Shot crews are performing burnouts. Last night, an unmanned drone flew the fire and detected a new fire start. Crews were able to immediately react and put it out. Assigned resources are: 4 crews, 5 engines, 6 heavy equipment and overhead.
The Taylor Fire is at 9,624 acres and still very active, however progressing slowly. It has burned south to the Shan Creek. Due to the topography fire managers have taken a more indirect approach. There are primary and secondary control lines being built around the entire fire. The fire is burning towards those lines. Once lines are constructed and the lines are reduced of excessive fuels, and plumbed with hose and fittings ahead of planned burn out operations. There was very little spread last night. Assigned resources are: 23 crews, 13 engines, 13 heavy equipment, and overhead.
The Ditch Creek Fire is at 169 acres. This fire is relatively unchanged. It is secured with a fire line all the way around the perimeter. Resources assigned are: 5 crews, 4 engines, 7 heavy equipment, and overhead.
The Spencer Fire is at 228 acres and has a secured fire line around the entire perimeter. There is one engine assigned to patrol and monitor.
The OSFM Task Forces of structural engines have triaged and prepped over 500 structures. To date, no structures have been lost. Today there are nine OSFM Task Force at the Taylor Fire and Pleasant Creek Fires.
Public Meeting: in Wimer tonight at 6:00 P.M. at Evans Valley Education and Community Center, 8205 East Evans Creek.
July 24, 2018
GARNER COMPLEX
#UPDATEEvening Update 7-24-18 – 9:00am
QUICK FACTS:
Size: 17,369 acres
Change in last 24 hrs. +2,075 acres
Containment: 15%
Start Date/Time: 7/15/2018 9:00a.m.
Expected Containment Date: 8/7/18
Location: Josephine County
Cause: Lightning
Est. Cost: $11.5 million
Personnel: 2311
Assigned Resources:
Handcrews: 76
Engines: 102
Dozers: 35
Water Tenders: 45
Assigned Aircraft: 18
Structure Task Forces: 9
Overnight, firefighters continued making great progress on containing the Garner Complex Fire. Todays’ day shift will continue to secure and hold control lines by strengthening hand-built and dozer lines, placing water hoses and continuing mop-up operations. Firefighters will also be setting fire inside the control lines to consume fuel between the fireline and actively burning areas of the fire, weather permitting.
Structural crews continue assessing and creating defensible spaces around homes and other structures on the Grave and Taylor Creek fires.
The fire continues to slowly burn within the interior of those lines, leading to a growth in acres of 2,075 . As smoke conditions allow, air support will be dropping water and retardant on the south and west sides of the Taylor, Pleasant and Graves fires. Spencer Creek fire is holding within control and mop-up continues.
The weather forecast projects continued hot and dry conditions. Winds will have a west-northwesterly flow at 5 to 10 miles per hour. Smoke will be gradually lifting today, resulting in increasing temperatures and lowering of humidity. As a result, firefighters will likely see elevated fire activity.
FIRE ACREAGES BY FIRE:
Grave Creek/Sec. 14 6,546
Pleasant Creek 784
Ditch Creek 169
Taylor Creek 9,642
Spencer Creek 228
A public meeting will be held in Wimer today, July 24 at 6:00 P.M., located at Evans Valley Education and Community Center, 8205 East Evans Creek.
For the most current evacuation information, please contact the Joint Information Center at 541-474-5305 (8 AM—8 PM). A Red Cross Shelter is set up at the Grants Pass High School at 830 NE 9th Street in Grants Pass. 541-474-5710.
Cooperating Agencies: Oregon Department of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, Rogue Valley Fire Chiefs Association, U.S. Forest Service Rogue River-Siskiyou, Umpqua National Forest, Oregon State Fire Marshall Office
To learn more about wildfire preparedness & fire restrictions please visit:
www.swofire.com
July 23, 2018
GARNER COMPLEX
#UPDATEEvening Update 7-23-18 – 10:30pm
QUICK FACTS:
Size: 15,294 acres
Change in last 24 hrs. +3,730 acres
Containment: 15%
Start Date/Time: 7/15/2018 9:00a.m.
Expected Containment Date: 8/7/18
Location: Josephine County
Cause: Lightning
Est. Cost: $11.5 million
Personnel: 2311
Assigned Resources:
Handcrews: 76
Engines: 102
Dozers: 35
Water Tenders: 45
Assigned Aircraft: 18
Structure Task Forces: 9
Public Meeting: A public meeting is set for Wimer on Tuesday July 24, 2018 at 6:00 P.M. at Evans Valley Education and Community Center, 8205 East Evans Creek.
Around 300 people attended a public meeting that was held at the North Valley High School tonight. Fire officials briefed everyone about all of the fires in the Garner Complex.
CURRENT FIRE ACREAGES: Total 15,294
Fire Acres
Grave Creek/Sec. 14/Swamp Creek 6,119
Pleasant Creek 657
King Mountain 6
Ditch Creek 657
Taylor Creek 8116
Spencer Creek 228
For the most current evacuation information, please contact the Joint Information Center at 541-474-5305 (8 AM—8 PM). A Red Cross Shelter is set up at the Grants Pass High School at 830 NE 9th Street in Grants Pass. 541-474-5710.
July 23, 2018
Size as of 0200 hr. IR flight: 11,564 acres
Change in last 24 hrs.: +3,605 acres
Containment: 14%
Start Date/Time: 7/15/2018 9:00a.m.
Expected Containment Date: 8/7/18
Location: Josephine County
Cause: Lightning
Est. Cost: $8.873 Million
Personnel: 2162
Assigned Resources:
Hand Crews: 70
Engines: 100
Dozers: 25
Water Tenders: 38
Other: 2
Assigned Aircraft: 26
Structure Task Forces: 9
Critical Resources
Needs: TFUL, T6ENG, FELB, HEQB, IA Crews, Tenders, HMGB, HECM
Injuries: 8
Structures Threatened: 1,090
Structures Damaged: 0
Structures Destroyed: 0
Evacuations: Level 3 Estimated 357 persons
Public Meetings: Plans are set for two public meetings for the local communities
that are being most effected by the Garner Complex fires. The first meeting will
be Monday July 23, 2018 at 6:00 P.M. at the North Valley High School, 6741 Monument
Drive, Grant Pass, OR. Another meeting is set for Wimer on Tuesday July
24, 2018 at 6:00 P.M. at Evans Valley Education and Community Center, 8205 East
Evans Creek.
Fire crews from the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office (OSFM) continue to work in
the area’s of the Grave and Taylor Fires. OSFM crews are assessing homes and
other structures. This allows the crews to create a defensible space around each
structure. Flagging left on the driveway quickly informs structural crews of the
work needing to be completed. It does not indicate the level of protection fire
crews will provide that structure. Please do not remove or move the flagging. This
causes fire crews to duplicate their work. OSFM crews have been able to assess
245 structures near the Grave and Taylor Fires.
If you have questions regarding the evacuation level area’s, please call the Joint
Information Center at 541-474-5305.
We understand the impact we are having on the community with a camp of over
2,000 people nearby. Thank you for working with us as we work to protect your
community from multiple fires in the area.
For the most current evacuation information, please contact the Joint Information
Center at 541-474-5305 (8 AM—8 PM). A Red Cross Shelter is set up at the Grants
Pass High School at 830 NE 9th Street in Grants Pass. 541-474-5710.
July 22, 2018
GARNER COMPLEX
#UPDATEEvening Update 7-22-18 – 11:00pm
QUICK FACTS:
Size: 11,564 acres
Change in last 24 hrs. +3,605 acres
Containment: 14%
Start Date/Time: 7/15/2018 9:00a.m.
Expected Containment Date: 8/7/18
Location: Josephine County
Cause: Lightning
Est. Cost: $8.873 million
Personnel: 2162
Assigned Resources:
Handcrews: 70
Engines: 100
Dozers: 25
Water Tenders: 38
Assigned Aircraft: 26
Structure Task Forces: 9
Public Meetings: Plans are set for two public meetings for the local communities that are being most effected by the Garner Complex fires. The first meeting will be Monday July 23, 2018 at 6:00 P.M. at the North Valley High School, 6741 Monument Drive, Grant Pass, OR. Another meeting is set for Wimer on Tuesday July 24, 2018 at 6:00 P.M. at Evans Valley Education and Community Center, 8205 East Evans Creek.
Today 50 Oregon National Guard personnel arrived to staff ten road blocks around the clock. Supporting traffic control check points help the public avoid entering active fire areas.
Construction of direct and indirect control lines continues on the Graves fires. Much of the fire is holding within the lines on the north and west flanks, and hoselays are in place in these areas. Crews worked down each side of the fire tying in reopened roads, hand and dozer lines. Much of the focus on the Grave Fire was to create a fire line across the southern edge to tie in line between the Ditch Fire and the Pleasant Creek fire. The Spencer Fires are subdued with few visible smokes. On the Taylor Fire, because of challenging fire behavior and topography, indirect control line is being built around the much of the fire, by a combination of hand crews and dozers. Some existing roads and old firelines from previous fires will also be utilized. The smoke inversion kept aircraft grounded most of the day.
OSFM Structure Taskforces were busy today doing triage, assessment, and protection of homes in the evacuation areas.
For most current evacuation information, please contact the Joint Information Center at 541-474-5305 (8 AM—8 PM). A Red Cross Shelter is set up at the Grants Pass High School at 830 NE 9th Street in Grants Pass. 541-474-5710.
###
July 22, 2018
INCIDENT: Current Fire Evac Levels and Road Blocks in Josephine County
INCIDENT DATE AND TIME: 7/22/18 @ 10:00 pm
REPORTING DEPUTY: C. Krauss
Current evacuation levels:
Level 3 – West Pickett Creek Road
Level 3 – Upper end of Shan Creek Road
Level 3 – Upper end of Limpy creek Road
Level 3 – Oak Flat community at the end of Illinois River Road
Level 2 – Lower end of Shan Creek Road
Level 2 – Lower end of Limpy Creek Road
Level 2 – Pickett Creek Road, including secondary roads
Level 2 – Dutcher Creek Road, including secondary roads
Level 1 – Riverbanks Road between Limpy Creek Road and Pickett Creek Road including all secondary roads and streets
Due to the Taylor Creek wildfire, road blocks have been established to prevent non-essential vehicle traffic from interfering with residents attempting to evacuate and emergency services vehicles engaged in firefighting activities.
Current road block locations:
West Pickett Creek Rd at Pickett Creek Rd
Shan Creek Rd at Riverbanks Rd
Limpy Creek Rd at Riverbanks Rd
Riverbanks Rd at US Hwy 199
Lower River Rd at Robertson Bridge Rd
We would like to ask non-residents of Riverbanks Rd, including secondary streets and drives off of Riverbanks Rd, to please avoid the area. We would also like to remind residents of the area to carry proof of residence to re-enter the area if they leave and return. Proof of residence includes a driver’s license, utility bill with address, photo ID, etc.
If you have not signed up for Josephine County Citizen Alert, Josephine County’s emergency notification system, you can sign up on line at www.rvem.org.
The Red Cross evacuation shelter remains active at Grants Pass High School, 830 NE 9th St, Grants Pass, OR 97526.
The Fire Information Center can be reached at 541-474-5305 and is staffed from 8:00am to 8:00pm each day.
An animal evacuation center is currently being set up and will be open tomorrow at 10:00am. More information will be released separately about these details tomorrow morning.
These evacuation notices are based on fire activity from the Taylor Creek and Klondike Fires in Josephine County.
July 22, 2018
Garner Complex Community Meeting
There will be a community meeting held at the North Valley High School tomorrow
Monday 7/23/18 at 6P.M.
6741 Monument Dr.
Grants Pass, OR 97526
July 22, 2018
Additional Resources Arrive at Garner Complex:
In the last 24 hours additional resources have arrived to help in the efforts on the Garner Complex.
Troops from the National Guard arrived this morning to help with security at roadblocks in active fire areas and evacuation zones. A total of 50 personnel are expected to assist in the effort.
The Oregon State Fire Marshall will be adding three more task forces to the Garner Complex. This brings the total to nine task forces. The task forces will be working in the Grave Fire, Pleasant Creek Fire and Taylor Creek Fire areas. Their mission is to assess and protect homes and structures near the fires.
Two DC-10 VLATs (Very Large Air Tanker) began work on the fires yesterday. One 747 VLAT was used on the Garner Fire and is planned to be used on the Taylor Fire today. These three aircraft bring the total of four VLATs available to the Complex. An additional Type-2 helicopter arrives today.
July 22, 2018
#GarnerComplex AM #Update
Sunday, July 22, 2018 at 8:00 A.M.
Oregon Department of Forestry IMT 2
Chris Cline, Incident Commander
Information Center: 541-474-5305 (8 AM—9 PM)
Media Information Line: 541-660-7634
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5935/ email: garnercomplexinformation@gmail.com
QUICK FACTS
Size: 7,949 acres
Change in last 24 hours: +1,567 acres
Containment: 10%
Start Date/Time: 7/15/2018 9:00a.m.
Expected Containment Date: 8/7/18
Location: Josephine County
Cause: Lightning
Est. Cost: $6.3 Million
Personnel: 1834
Assigned Resources
Hand Crews: 59
Engines: 52
Dozers: 14
Water Tenders: 26
Assigned Aircraft: 30
Structure Task Forces: 6
Structures Threatened: 393
Structures Damaged: 0
Structures Destroyed: 0
Evacuations: Levels 2 and 3
Closures: Road Closure at intersection of West Pickett and Pickett.
Road closure at Pickett Cr. Rd and Riverbanks Rd, except
for residents.
—
Last night crews continued to tighten and secure control lines. They continue to evaluate where to place containment lines around the Grave Creek and Taylor Creek fires.
The Grave Creek fire continued to spread towards the Pleasant Creek Rd. The State Fire Marshall’s Team was in place working to triage and surface prep around houses to support the wildland firefighters. Overnight the Taylor Creek Fire continued to spread as crews work to tighten direct fire lines when possible and work on contingency lines. The fire has spread on the south side onto Forest Service ground. Overnight the State Fire Marshall’s had three Task Forces in place working to assess and surface prep near homes.
The three Spencer Creek Fires, King Mountain Fire, and Swamp Creek Fire have been lined, plumbed and are in mop-up. The Pleasant Creek Fire and Ditch Cr. Fire are still having control lines secured by hand and equipment. Today there will be 30 aircraft working on the fires including three airtankers. The
aircraft time follows strict federal aviation laws regarding the amount they can fly everyday. Equipment either for fire camp such as tables and chairs or fire line equipment necessary
for fighting fires on order from the Incident Management Team is in short supply due to all of the fires in the region. We continue to place orders with Redmond Cache, who have to prioritize for all regional fires to fill orders.
DEFINITIONS: Control lines: A term used for all constructed or natural fire barriers used to control a fire.
Containment: When firefighters or other resources stop the
forward progress of a fire with secured control lines.
CURRENT EVACUATION ORDERS:
Level 2 Limpy Cr. Rd, Level 1 for Riverbanks Rd.,
Dutcher Creek Rd. and all secondary roads and streets from Limpy Cr to Pickett Cr.
Pleasant Creek Rd: Levels 2 and 3.
Grave Cr. Rd is Level 3 north of intersection with Ditch Cr. Rd. Pickett Cr. Rd and all cross roads are Level 2
West Picket Cr. Rd. is Level 3.
A Red Cross Shelter is set up at the Grants Pass High School at 830 NE 9th Street in Grants Pass. 541-474-5710.
(Photo: Sunset on the Taylor Creek Fire)
July 22, 2018
CORRECTION: Last night’s update stated ODF was in unified command with USFS. That is
not accurate, ODF entered into an agreement to assume command of the Taylor Creek
Fire, which consists of some USFS lands, as part of the Garner Complex.
The Oregon State Fire Marshall’s Blue Team (IC Kunze) arrived this afternoon and quickly
intergraded with ODF IMT 2 into unified command of this complex. They arrived with a full
team and six structural task forces. Their mission is to assess, triage and protect the homes
and structures near the fire.
FIRE UPDATE:
The three Spencer Fires, King Mountain Fire, and Swamp Fire have been lined, plumbed
and are in mop-up. The Pleasant Fire and Ditch Cr. Fire are still having control lines built by
hand and equipment.
The three Grave Fires have grown together. Roads are being used along with dozer and
hand lines at the northern edge of the fire. Indirect fire lines were constructed along the
east and west sides. Retardant drops and water bucket drops were applied along the east
edge to prevent spread any closer to structures and homes.
Today was the first operational period for ODF Team 2 on the Taylor Creek Fire. The Team
continued work already initiated by the local District and gathered a lot of information
along with identifying access routes for fire suppression activities.
FIRE ACREAGES:
Sec. 14 257 acres Ditch Cr. 142 acres
Grave Cr. 3,792 acres King Mtn. 6 acres
Pleasant Cr. 599 acres Spencer Cr. 234 acres
Swamp Cr. 3 acres Taylor Cr. 2,916 acres
CURRENT EVACUATION ORDERS: NEW: Level 2 for Riverbank Rd., Limpy Cr. Rd and all
secondary roads and streets from Limpy Cr to Pickett Cr. Pleasant Creek Rd: Levels 2 and
3. Grave Cr. Rd is Level 3 north of intersection with Ditch Cr. Rd. Pickett Rd and all cross
roads are Level 2 and West Picket Rd. is Level 3. A Red Cross Shelter is set up at the Grants
Pass High School at 830 NE 9th Street in Grants Pass. 541-474-5710.
July 21, 2018
Garner Complex
#UpdateFor More information please contact the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office
INCIDENT: Taylor Creek Fire Evacuation Notices
INCIDENT DATE AND TIME: 7/21/18 @ 2:45 pm
REPORTING DEPUTY: C. Krauss
DETAILS:
Based on recommendations from the Oregon Department of Forestry the residents on Limpy Creek Rd are being placed on a LEVEL 2 “BE SET” Evacuation Notice.
A LEVEL 2 “BE SET” evacuation notice means that you must be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.
This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Residents MAY have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at their own risk.
THIS MAY BE THE ONLY NOTICE THAT YOU RECEIVE
Emergency services cannot guarantee that they will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate.
Area media services will be asked to broadcast periodic updates.
A LEVEL 1 “BE READY” evacuation notice is also being issued to all of the residents on DUTCHER CREEK ROAD, including all secondary road and streets.
A LEVEL 1 “BE READY” evacuation notice means residents should be aware of the danger that exists in
their area, monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information.
This is the time for preparation and precautionary movement of persons with special needs, mobile property and (under certain circumstances) pets and livestock. If conditions worsen, emergency services personnel WILL MAKE EVERY ATTEMPT TO CONTACT YOU.
YOU may BE CONTACTED via an emergency notification system.
If you have not signed up for Josephine County Citizen’s Alert, Josephine County’s emergency notification system, you can sign up on line at
www.rvem.org.A Red Cross Shelter has been established at the Grants Pass High School Commons.
Rogue Valley Fire Information telephone number: 541-474-5305
These evacuation notices are based on fire activity from the Taylor Creek Fire.
July 21, 2018
Garner Complex
#UpdateFor more information please contact the Josephine County Sheriffs Office
Josephine County Sheriffs Office Press Release
INCIDENT: Taylor Creek Fire Evacuation Notices
INCIDENT DATE AND TIME: 7/21/18 @ 0900
REPORTING DEPUTY: C. Krauss
DETAILS:
Based on recommendations from the Oregon Department of Forestry and US Forest Service the residents on Shan Creek Rd are being placed on a LEVEL 2 “BE SET” Evacuation Notice.
A LEVEL 2 “BE SET” evacuation notice means that you must be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.
This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
Residents MAY have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at their own risk.
THIS MAY BE THE ONLY NOTICE THAT YOU RECEIVE
Emergency services cannot guarantee that they will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate. Area media services will be asked to broadcast periodic updates.
A LEVEL 1 “BE READY” evacuation notice is also being issued to the residents on LIMPY CREEK ROAD and RIVERBANKS RD, including all secondary road and streets, from LIMPY CREEK RD TO PICKETT CREEK RD.
A LEVEL 1 “BE READY” evacuation notice means residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area, monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information.
This is the time for preparation and precautionary movement of persons with special needs, mobile property and (under certain circumstances) pets and livestock.
If conditions worsen, emergency services personnel WILL MAKE EVERY ATTEMPT TO CONTACT YOU. YOU may BE CONTACTED via an emergency notification system.
Existing Evacuation Levels in Josephine County:
• West Pickett Creek Rd – Level 3 “GO” (Taylor Creek Fire)
• Pickett Creek Rd and secondary roads off of Pickett Creek Rd – Level 2 “BE SET” (Taylor Creek Fire)
• Oak Flat community at the end of Illinois River Rd – LEVEL 2 “BE SET” (Klondike Fire)
If you have not signed up for Josephine County Citizen’s Alert, Josephine County’s emergency notification system, you can sign up on line at
www.rvem.org.These evacuation notices are based on fire activity from the Taylor Creek Fire and Klondike Fire.
July 21, 2018
Special Update: Garner Complex 7/21/18 3:00
Governor Kate Brown invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act, which authorizes the Oregon State Fire Marshal to send more firefighters from around the state to help the local firefighters protect life, safety and property.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Blue Team has been deployed to the Garner Complex and will join ODF Team 2 in unified command at 2:00 P.M. today. Six Task Forces and miscellaneous overhead have arrived today to support the local jurisdictions in structural protection.
At 2 A.M. this morning there was an IR (inferred camera) flight that flew over the complex. This flight enabled us to get more accurate acreage on the fires. Last night before the flight the total acreage reported for the fires was 3,365 after the flight heat detection camera’s were able to more accurately detect the updated acreage of the fires and reported a total acreage of 6,382.
Current Evacuation Orders:
Pleasant Creek Rd: Levels 2 and 3
Grave Cr. Rd is Level 3 north of intersection with Ditch Cr. Rd.
Pickett Rd and all cross roads are Level 2 and West Picket Rd. is Level 3.
July 21, 2018
GARNER COMPLEX #UPDATE Morning Update 7-21-18 – 8:30am QUICK FACTS: Size: 6382 acres Change in last 24 hrs. +2327 acres Containment: 8% Start Date/Time: 7/15/2018 9:00a.m. Expected Containment Date: 8/7/18 Location: Josephine County Cause: Lightning Est. Cost: $4.085 million Personnel: 1355 Assigned Resources: Handcrews: 45 Engines: 33 Dozers: 11 Water Tenders: 12 Assigned Aircraft: 19 There will be a joint information center set up today to answer questions about all of the fires in the surrounding areas. If you have questions about other fires you can call the center at 541-474-5305. There will be a new Facebook page created today specifically for the Garner Complex fire. You will still find information about the Southwest Oregon fires on the ODF Southwest Facebook page. Last night the Grave Creek #3 Fire continued to burn actively. Crews continue to put in contingency lines around the fire hoping to stop fire activity at contingency points. Operations in considering burning back towards the fire to strengthen the fire lines. The Spencer Fire continues to have great success and is holding in place. Crews have been working to secure the fire lines. The Pleasant Creek Fire is holding within the control lines and mop-up has begun. The Taylor Fire, which was added to the complex at 6:00 P.M. last night was much more problematic than expected. Karl Witz from night Operations said, “the Taylor Fire ran like crazy all night long”. The fire continued to actively push to the south more than tripling in size. Today crews will engage the fire where safety permits, while aircraft will assist in slowing the rapid spread. A fleet if 19 aircraft will continue to fly today with eight more on order. You may not see them right away in the mornings due to inversion layers that hold smoke in place. As the day progresses the inversion lifts and aircraft begins to fly during the peak fire activity times of the day. Aircraft will be flown on this complex as often as safely possible. Current Evacuation Orders: -Pleasant Creek Rd: Levels 2 and 3 -Grave Cr. Rd is Level 3 north of intersection with Ditch Cr. Rd. -Pickett Rd and all cross roads are Level 2 and West Picket Rd. is Level 3. Cooperating Agencies: Oregon Department of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, Rogue Valley Fire Chiefs Association, U.S. Forest Service Rogue River-Siskiyou, Umpqua National Forest To learn more about wildfire preparedness & fire restrictions please visit: www.swofire.com
July 20, 2018
GARNER COMPLEX
#UPDATEMorning Update 7-20-18 – 9:00pm
QUICK FACTS:
Size: 1,700 acres
Change in last 24 hrs. +570 acres
Containment: 8%
Start Date/Time: 7/15/2018 9:00a.m.
Expected Containment Date: 8/7/18
Location: Josephine County
Cause: Lightning
Est. Cost: $2,242,000
Personnel: 1,075
Assigned Resources:
Handcrews: 36
Engines: 27
Dozers: 9
Water Tenders: 11
Assigned Aircraft: 16 helicopters
The night crews continued to make progress on the fires. But, with the winds and low humidity overnight the fires on the Garner Complex continued to be active.
The Grave #3 fire was reported at 800 acres and continued to grow overnight. The Section #14 Fire was at 160 acres and active overnight. Smoke and ash from both of these fires is blowing south into the community of Wimer and surrounding areas. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office issued a Level 2, BE SET, evacuation for homes on Grave Creek Road, north of Ditch Creek. Seven addresses are affected. Contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office for details and maps.
The Pleasant Fire was at 400 acres. A new spot fire was found and crews began working to contain it. Crews will focus on this fire by opening additional roads to the fire for easier access. They will continue to secure the line on the north side of the fire. Evacuations remain at a Level 2 for Pleasant Creek road between the addresses of 5047-7948. A Level 3 went into place for the 7 houses at the farthest end of the road and residents were notified by the Jackson County Sherriff’s office.
The Ditch Fire, previously a smaller fire, grew significantly yesterday afternoon, from five to 60 acres. Crews are working to line this fire and secure it.
To the south, the Spencer Fire #3 is fully lined, plumbed and will begin mop-up.
Helicopters will continue water drops on the fires. There are nine Type-1 helicopters available. Canadian retardant planes are here to assist, but due to the smoky conditions in Medford, were unable to fly. Once conditions improve, they will begin assisting the fire.
The public is reminded to stay out of the fire areas for their own, and the firefighting crews, safety.
Cooperating Agencies: Oregon Department of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, Rogue Valley Fire Chiefs Association, U.S. Forest Service Rogue River-Siskiyou, Umpqua National Forest
To learn more about wildfire preparedness & fire restrictions please visit:
www.swofire.com
July 19, 2018
CURRENT SITUATION
Situation Summary:
Garner Complex Fire Information in Josephine/Josephine County will be released separately by the Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 2. The fires within the complex include: Spencer Creek, Grave Creek, and Pleasant Creek Fires. The updates will still be shared on our @ODFSouthwest Facebook page and
www.swofire.com.
Wagner Creek Complex in Jackson County
Total Complex Size: 250 Total Complex Containment: 50%
Green Top Mountain: 5 miles northeast of Eagle Point. Mapped at 121 acres. Containment has now reached 70%. Handheld infrared cameras will be used on the interior of the fire tonight to identify hot spots that may not be easy to locate with the human eye, or that may be feet-deep under the mineral soil. This will allow crews to thoroughly eliminate any chance of interior smoldering to occur moving forward. No structures are threatened. This will be the final update for this fire, unless conditions change.
Sterling Creek: 7 miles south of Jacksonville. The 32 acre fire is now 70% contained. Mop up operations will continue until we reach 100% containment. No structures threatened. This will be the final update for this fire, unless conditions change.
Trail Creek & Elk Creek Drainage: The last of the dozen challenging fires burning in the Trail and Elk Creek drainages, Cleveland Ridge #3, is being wrapped up today. Starting tomorrow, we will be cold checking all of the fires. The largest of the series, 5.5 miles north to northwest of Shady Cove, remains the 13-acre West Fork Trail Fire. All others are an acre or less in size. The entire series of fires is approximately 70% contained. No structures threatened. This will be the final update for this fire, unless conditions change.
Railroad Gap: Mutual aid to Umpqua National Forest. While firefighters were able to wrap a hand line around the fire last night, mop up operations are just beginning. Heavy timber and steep slopes will make for a slow and steady mop up to reach full containment. The fire is 33 acres, and 5% contained. Smoke will be present while we knock down the interior heat. No structures are threatened.
Fires in Josephine County:
Taylor Creek: 7 miles west of Merlin. Wind gusts, warm conditions, and steep slopes have been challenging firefighters on the line. Several hand crews, dozers, engines, and aerial resources have been attacking this fire all day. The fire is now estimated to have grown to be 338 acres, with a partial control line constructed. Overnight, firefighters will continue to build and strengthen additional fire line. Evacuations remain in place (see below.)
EVACUATIONS
Taylor Creek:
The following residences and businesses are being placed on a LEVEL 2 “Be SET” Evacuation Notice: Pickett Creek Road, West Pickett Creek Road, Green Tree Loop, Bickford Drive, Sanders Creek, Paradise Garden Road, Sallsten Road, Hussey Lane, Steelhead Lane, Cliffside Drive, and Bartlett Lane.
In addition, a LEVEL 1 “Be Ready” evacuation notice is also being issued to the residents of Shan Creek Road.
To learn more about wildfire preparedness & fire restrictions please visit:
www.swofire.comJuly 19, 2018
GARNER COMPLEX
#UPDATEMorning Update 7-19-18 – 9:00am
QUICK FACTS:
Size: 1,130 acres
Change in last 24 hrs. +170 acres
Containment: 8%
Start Date/Time: 7/15/2018 9:00a.m.
Expected Containment Date: 7/31/18
Location: Josephine County
Cause: Lightning
Est. Cost: $1,450,000
Personnel: 902
Assigned Resources:
Handcrews: 31
Engines: 10
Dozers: 7
Water Tenders: 8
Assigned Aircraft: 15 helicopters
Today’s goal for all of the fires in the complex is to continue construction of fire lines around each fire and to catch the smaller ones with more personnel and equipment. We continue to aggressively fight all fires in this complex. The fire team is expecting two large air tankers crossing over from Canada today. In addition, two Chinook helicopters are on order from the Oregon National Guard will be arriving tomorrow. Many of the fires are located in very steep and hard to access areas where helicopters are the most effective equipment. The use of helicopters in steep terrain minimizes the number of fire fighters needed, thus providing for their
safety.
Today’s weather will be similar to Wednesday. Morning inversions will be present, but should be below most fire locations. This means that north-northeast winds will be present at ridgetops in the morning. It will be hot and dry again today with winds shifting slightly to the north-northwest in
the afternoon. Steve Ziel, Fire Behavior Analysist, for the fire said “there will be critically low dry humidity at night and it maybe as low as today”.
Firefighters will experience active fire behavior over night.
Each afternoon fire activity typically picks up as the temperatures rise and winds become more prominent. The public may see more smoke visible during the day. Smoke may worsen symptoms for people who have pre-existing health conditions and those who are particularly sensitive to air pollution. If you would like more information about air quality in the area you can go to the Oregon smoke blog here
http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/Cooperating Agencies: Oregon Department of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, Rogue Valley Fire Chiefs Association, U.S. Forest Service Rogue River-Siskiyou, Umpqua National Forest
To learn more about wildfire preparedness & fire restrictions please visit:
www.swofire.com
July 19, 2018
The fire danger level on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry in Jackson and Josephine counties rises to “extreme” (red) at 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 20. This affects 1.8 million acres of state, private, county and Bureau of Land Management lands within ODF’s Southwest Oregon District.
The Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will remain at Level 2 (two).
The primary difference between current fire prevention restrictions and those beginning tomorrow affects the public use of power-driven equipment, such as chain saws and mowers, to name a few. The use of power-driven equipment, grinding, cutting of metal, and other spark-emitting equipment, such as wood splitters and generators, will be prohibited.
Here are the details of the adjusted fire restrictions taking effect on July 20:
• The use of power saws is prohibited.
• The cutting, grinding and welding of metal is prohibited.
• The mowing of dry or dead grass is prohibited.
• The operation of any other spark-emitting internal combustion engine not specifically mentioned above is prohibited.
The following fire prevention regulations are currently in effect and will remain in effect until the fire danger level drops significantly:
• Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water, and designated locations.
• Debris burning is prohibited.
• Burn barrel use is prohibited.
• Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except in approved fire rings at designated campgrounds. In other locations, portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed.
• Motor vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, may only be used on improved roads free of flammable vegetation, except when used for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops.
• Fireworks are prohibited.
• Any electric fence controller in use shall be listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services; and operated in compliance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
• The use of exploding targets is prohibited.
• The use of tracer ammunition or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base is prohibited.
• Possession of the following firefighting equipment is required while traveling, except on state highways, county roads and driveways: one shovel and one gallon of water or one 2.5 pound or larger fire extinguisher. All-terrain vehicles and motorcycles must be equipped with one 2.5 pound or larger fire extinguisher.
July 19, 2018
Taylor Creek Fire
#UPDATEThe current size of the Taylor Fire is 160 acres. Additional resources of 10 and 20 person crews will be added to the fire today. Additional aircraft will also be working the fire.
Crews will be taking a direct and aggressive attack on the fire today. They will be working to open a ridge line as a fire break today.
The Oregon Department of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service out of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest are in unified command of the Taylor Creek Fire.
A level 2, Be Set, evacuation order by the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office remains in place as a precaution.
An additional update will be coming out later for the Wagner Complex.
