10:30 am Rogue River - Siskiyou National Forest Fire Update
Release Date: Jul 31, 2014
Contact: Scott Blowers, (541) 471-6745
Lookouts this morning are reporting many new smokes from yesterday’s lighting activity which primarily occurred on the Siskiyou Mountains and High Cascades Ranger Districts. Crews are currently being dispatched to priority fires.
Currently on the Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District there are approximately 30 reported fires. The largest fire at this point is the Wagner #1 Fire that is estimated to be 8 acres and located in the Wagner Butte area.
Currently on the High Cascades Ranger District there are 42 confirmed fires. The majority of these are estimated to be less than ¼ acre in size. The Camp Creek Complex is located in the vicinity of Rustler Peak. This complex has a total of 27 fires of which most are located in the Sky Lakes Wilderness. The largest fire of the complex is estimated at 7 acres and 0% contained. A Type III Incident Management Team will begin managing these fires today.
Currently there are over 100 firefighters attached to engines, dozers and hand crews assigned to the fire activity on the Siskiyou Mountains and High Cascades Ranger Districts. Two helicopters are currently assigned with Air Tankers available as needed. Additional firefighting resources have been ordered.
Lookouts and reconnaissance aircraft continue to watch for additional starts from the last two days of storms. A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 2 pm this afternoon to11 pm this evening for abundant lightning with dry fuels.
The forests of southwest Oregon are experiencing tinder dry conditions and are extremely combustible. Firefighters want to remind the public that human caused fires are preventable. Please be aware of current fire restrictions and be careful with anything that could spark a fire.