This News Release from Oregon Dept. of Forestry – Beaver Complex Fire Update was posted on Flash Alert: August 7th, 2014 12:43 PM
Oregon Department of Forestry Team 2- Chris Cline, Incident Commander
CAL FIRE – Phill Veneris, Incident Commander
Oregon Fire Information number: (541) 488-7726
California Fire Information number: (530) 842-2266
Hours of operation: 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
August 7, 2014 as of 9:00 a.m.
Special Message:
Take action before fire season starts, make sure your property is prepared for wildfire. Learn about defensible space and fire-wise landscaping techniques by consulting your local fire department or Oregon Department of Forestry office. More resources can be found online at www.firewise.org or at www.oregon.gov/odf/Pages/fire/fire.aspx#Fire_Prevention.
Current Situation (Oregon Gulch Fire): Fire managers are happy with the progress so far but reminded crews this morning that the hardest part of the work is starting now. Crews used infrared imaging overnight to identify hot spots and dig out smoldering roots. Today, crews will pick up where the night shift left off by working along the entire fireline to do a thorough job with mop up.
Acreage has been reduced through the use of GPS reconnaissance on the line. GPS tools help provide better mapping and determine accurate acreage consumed by the fire.
Weather and Fire Behavior: Predicted weather today calls for unstable and dry conditions with temperatures between 85 and 90 degrees and relative humidity between 18 and 23%. Fire activity is expected to be low, but with the unstable conditions, crews were cautioned to take swift action on any starts should they arise.
Fire Statistics for Oregon Gulch
Location: 15 miles east of Ashland, OR
Percent Contained: 42%
Size: 35,074* acres (9,464 acres in California)
Cause: Lightning
Start Date: 7/30/14
* Acreage has been reduced due to better mapping.
Oregon wildland resources assigned to the complex include: 9 Type 1 crews, 51 Type 2 hand crews, 4 camp crews, 74 engines, 22 dozers, 25 water tenders, and overhead personnel.
California resources include: 4 dozers, 25 engines, and 6 crews.
Air resources: 14 helicopters.
Total personnel: 1785
Evacuation orders by county:
Jackson County
The evacuation level for residents from the 6,000 block south to the Oregon Border on Copco Road has been reduced from Level 2 Evacuation to Level 1 Evacuation. Access to Copco Road is limited to residents and emergency services only. Residents living along Highway 66 in Jackson County between the 11,000 and 22,000 block are still under a Level 1 Evacuation. This does not impact people living in Keno. Level 1 Evacuation means “BE READY” for potential evacuation. Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area, monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information.
Klamath County
The Klamath River canyon from John C. Boyle Dam to the California border will change from a Level 2 Evacuation to a Level 1 Evacuation. This includes Topsy Grade Road, Picard Road, and all other accessible roads south of Highway 66 east to the Klamath County line in Oregon. Current roadblocks are being removed from Topsy Grade Road and John C. Boyle Dam, south of Highway 66 to Camp 4. Camp 4 Road remains restricted to fire personnel only. The Klamath River has been reopened for recreational use.
Siskiyou County
All evacuations in Siskiyou County have been lifted.
For the complex, 270 homes and 50 outbuildings are threatened; 6 homes were destroyed (3 in Oregon and 3 in California).
Places to get information:
Twitter – www.twitter.com/swofire/
Southwest Oregon District Blog – www.swofire.com/
Smoke Information – oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/
DEQ – www.deq.state.or.us/AQ/burning/wildfires/index.htm
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office – www.facebook.com/JacksonCountySheriff
Inciweb – inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4034/
NWCC – www.nwccweb.us/information/firemap.aspx
CAL FIRE Ready, Set, Go – www.readyforwildfire.org/
CAL FIRE – www.fire.ca.gov
Siskiyou County Pollution Control District – tinyurl.com/ljzak8a
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Contact Info:
Oregon Fire Information number: (541) 488-7726
California Fire Information number: (530) 842-2266
Hours of operation: 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
