8.27.15 Canyon Creek Complex Evening update

Release Date: Aug 28, 2015

Canyon Creek Complex Evening Update

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Fire Information: (541) 820-3643 or (541) 820-3633

Email Address: canyoncreekcomplex@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/canyoncreekfireoregon and/or

www.facebook.com/malheurnationalforest

Malheur NF www.fs.usda.gov/malheur/

Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4495/

Twitter: @CanyonCreekFire and/or @MalheurNF

Community meeting at the Grange Hall in Prairie City, 5:30 PM Friday, August 28

JOHN DAY, OR – With today’s forecast conditions including a local Red Flag Warning for high winds, low

humidity, and high temperature, the Oregon Fire Marshal’s Team returned with five task forces (50 engines in

total) to assist with structural protection. Firefighters and other resources worked throughout the day

constructing fireline to protect structures in the Upper Pine Creek and Indian Creek area. Resources on the

western portion of the fire initiated suppression repair efforts, which consist of repairing fences, breaking up

berms from dozer line and installing water bars to help minimize erosions impacts.

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office completed a thorough assessment and found that yesterday’s heavy fire

activity destroyed 11 structures. The structure were NOT primary resident but outbuildings, cabins and/or camp

trailers. In addition, the sheriff’s office evacuated a total of 60 residents Wednesday night. Evacuation levels

have not changed today.

Aerial resources effectively reinforced the dozer lines and pre-treated areas today. Similar air resources will be

working over the fire area tomorrow.

Oregon National Guard is stationed at Lake Creek Organizational Camp. They are working the western and

southern perimeters of the fire, patrolling and securing control lines and ensuring that hot spots 150 feet in from

the line are out.

Fire managers have been doing strategic planning since they have arrived to identify early on actions and

possible alternatives for a variety of situations, including trying to keep the fire out of the Strawberry Creek

Drainage.

Upper Pine Creek from Berry Ranch Lane, Dean Creek/Baldy Mountain, Upper Dog Creek south of Little Dog

Creek, Gardner Ranch Lane, and Upper Indian Creek Road from the Y (71 junction) South, the area west of

County Road 62, south of the forest boundary (MP 12) and north of the 16 to the junction of FR 15/16 all

remain level 3 evacuation. Lower Dog Creek, Lower Pine and Lower Indian Creek, from J-L south to the end

of County Road 65 remain at a level 2 evacuation.

Tonight, night crews will continue efforts in the northeastern portion by enhancing dozer line and pre-treating

around structures. Resources will be conducting burn-out operations this evening from the 1640 to Roads End

to secure the southwest portion of the fire. The intent of the burnout operations is to reduce fuel (burnable

vegetation) between the main fire and the road in an effort to stop the fires spread at the 1640 road and from

moving south. Seneca residents may see smoke in the afternoon from the burnout operation.

Varying levels of smoke lingered over the complex and the surrounding communities. Prairie City received

steady smoke throughout the day, while areas south and west of the fire had less smoke. Two portable smoke

monitors arrived August 24 and are now deployed; one monitor was placed in Prairie City and the other in

Seneca. Real-time smoke readings are available at http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com.

Forest Closure related to the fire is currently in effect: the Canyon Creek Complex Fire Closure and the

Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. Copies of the closure order and map are available at

www.fs.usda.gov/detail/malheur/home/?cid=stelprd3845529.

Please be advised of fire traffic and smoky conditions throughout the area. Forest officials ask that the public

stay clear of all fire-related activities.

Additional Information

CR 62 and the 16 Road are open to through traffic. Highway 395 is open to traffic, however, firefighters,

equipment and the power company are working along the side of the road and drivers should expect short

delays with a pilot car running from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Drivers are urged to use caution and encouraged to

drive with headlights on through these areas. Do not stop and go into burned areas for safety reasons.

The Malheur National Forest is bringing in a burned area emergency response team (BAER) to develop a

restoration plan.

Public Safety Alert: If traveling through the area that has burned, please do not leave your vehicles and walk

through ashes due to hot spots, stump holes and falling trees.

Ready, Set, Go – Given the current weather and fire conditions in Grant County, it is a good idea to be

prepared for emergencies. Visit http://wildlandfirersg.org/ for further information about how to be prepared and

what to pack for emergency evacuations. The American Red Cross also has important information regarding

emergency preparedness. Go to http://www.redcross.org/support/emergency-preparedness for further tips and

suggestions.

Additional area fire information can be found at JDIDC - BICC (John Day Interagency Dispatch Center - Burns

Interagency Communication Center) sites online at http://bicc-jdidc.org/index.shtml.

Fire activity will likely have an effect on hunting this season. For more information, visit

www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/

For the latest Malheur National Forest news, please visit www.fs.usda.gov/malheur or follow the Forest on

Facebook at U.S. Forest Service-Malheur National Forest or on Twitter at @MalheurNF.

Reporting

To report a fire, contact the John Day Interagency Dispatch Center at (541) 575-1321 or the Burns Interagency

Communication Center at (541) 573-1000.

 

8.27.15 Canyon Creek Evening update