Umpqua National Forest Fire Update -- Forest urges public to help prevent human-caused wildfires

Release Date: Aug 15, 2015

Contact: Cheryl Caplan, (541) 430-5124

There were no new wildfires Friday on the Umpqua National Forest. Firefighters continue to support large fires in the area and remain ready to initial attack new starts.

Fire season is briskly moving ahead and the National Preparedness is at its highest level (Level 5). This means eighty percent of Type 1 and Type 2 Incident Management Teams and crews are committed to fires. Three fires are burning on or near the Umpqua National Forest with another 26 large fires in Oregon and Washington and more in California. The Forest Service has one of the most diverse, best equipped, and highly trained wildfire management organizations and is responding to wildfires safely and effectively.

Nationwide, more than 75,000 wildfires are reported each year. About nine out of ten fires are caused by people. Wildfires destroy homes and damage wildlife habitat and watersheds that provide drinking water for millions of people. We need the help of the public to help limit the number of human-caused fires on the Umpqua National Forest.

There is a long season ahead of us. The Umpqua National Forest staff urges the public to be aware of Public Use Restrictions and forest-wide campfire ban. Careful consideration to public and firefighter safety is taken before initiating these closures.

Please remember:

• There is a campfire ban in place on the Umpqua National Forest
• Be aware of restrictions before heading to the Forest
• Low-hanging tow chains can spark a wildfire quickly
• Do not drive your vehicle on to dry grass and brush

As we head into the weekend, Forest Service employees ask the public to be aware that there are many firefighting resources working in the area. Oregon Highway 230 closure now begins at the intersection with Oregon 62 (mile post 0), north of Union Creek. The closure spans north to its intersection with Oregon 138 near Diamond Lake (MP 24).

Travelers can anticipate an increase in traffic on Highway 138.  Please be especially cautious while driving to help keep public and firefighters safe while traveling. Oregon Department of Transportation traffic advisories information are available at https://tripcheck.com.

Stouts Creek Fire
The Stouts Creek Fire Incident Management Team is hosting a public meeting Saturday, August 15, at 6:30 p.m. at the Azalea Community Church, 362 Upper Cow Creek Road, Azalea, OR. The fire is 24,389 acres and 67 percent contained. There are 1,631 personnel assigned to the fire with 41 crews, 44 engines, 29 water tenders, 15 bulldozers and 11 helicopters. Stouts Creek Fire Information Line: 825-3724
Stouts Creek Fire Inciweb Site: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4426/#

National Creek Complex
The National Creek Complex, located on Crater Lake National Park, borders the Umpqua National Forest. Smoke and fire activity are impacting the area.National Creek Complex Information Line: (503) 308-0142
National Creek Complex Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4463/

Potter Mountain Complex
The Potter Mountain Complex that started by lightning on August 1 is made up of seven wildfires. The largest fire on the complex is Incident 235. Current size remains at 327 acres with containment at 80 percent with 97 people assigned to the complex. The Diamond Lake Ranger District assumed command of the complex today at 8:00 a.m. As the complex is contained and mopped up, resources will be shared with other incidents.
Potter Mountain Complex Inciweb Site:  http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4440/#

Forest Closures/Public Use Restrictions
Public Use Restrictions, including a campfire ban, are in place on the forest.

A new Area Closure for the Diamond Lake Recreation Area was issued August 14th
Closure Order no. 339 is located at http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices.This emergency closure includes portions of Forest Service roads 37, 4795, 3703, and 4786. This area closure includes the Broken Arrow Campground, South Shore Picnic Area, South Diamond Sno-Park, Mt. Thielsen Viewpoint, Hemlock Cabin, and trailheads for Rodley Butte, Mt Bailey, and Silent Creek trails. Trails no. 1451, 1452, 1460 and 1481 to Rodley Butte, Mt. Bailey and Silent Creek are also closed.

There are also a number of emergency area closures for firefighter and public safety due to wildfire activity. They include:

• Area south of Tiller due to the Stouts Creek Fire
• Forest Service Road 34-100 near the Potter Mountain Complex

The closure orders and maps as well as public use restrictions can be found here: http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices.

Closure Map for National Complex Fire, 624 KB PDF