8/2/13 – 2230 Hours PST
Big Windy Complex: 5,132 acres total
-Jenny Fire: 1,455 acres
-Calvert Peak Fire: 125 acres
-Big Windy Fire: 3,552 acres
Containment: 0%
Personnel: 804
News & Highlights for the Big Windy Complex:
-Starting tomorrow, the Incident Command Post for the Big Windy Fire will be located in Merlin. PNW Team 2 expresses our heartfelt thanks to the Grants Pass Interagency Office for hosting the team during a very busy time.
-A long-term assessment team (LTAT) has been providing long-term fire behavior support for several large fires in the area, including the Big Windy Complex.
-Rural Metro Fire Department is assisting PNW Team 2 with the development of contingency plans; a plan is currently in place if the fire moves north of the river.
Big Windy Complex Operations Summary:
Firefighters are making good progress with building containment lines on the south and east flanks of the fire; it will take one additional day to complete the line on the east side. The Whiskey Creek cabin is being assessed for work as needed. Tree falling is expected to be completed on the ridge west of the Calvert Peak Fire by end of shift on Sunday.
A large column of smoke in the Windy Creek area on the NW corner of the Big Windy Fire rose 15-20,000’ in elevation today. This active part of the fire is moving towards the old Galice fire scar, which should slow forward progress considerably.
Air Operations: Three additional medevac sites were identified today. Poor visibility limited air operations on the fire today.
FIRE FACTS:
Closures in Place:
-The Bear Camp Road is officially closed with closure orders and maps issued by the Medford District of the Bureau of Land Management/Grants Pass Interagency Office and the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest/Gold Beach Ranger District. See websites above for additional information. The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office and the Curry County Sheriff’s Office are providing staffing at the closure points and signs are in place.
-Rogue River Trail from Grave Creek to Rogue River Ranch.
-The BLM portion of the Wild Section of the Rogue River is closed from Grave Creek to Mule Creek due to extreme fire conditions and public health and safety issues.
Big Windy Complex: Consists of the Big Windy (Josephine County), Calvert Peak and Jenny Fires (Curry County). Located on Medford District Bureau of Land Management lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry Started: July 26, 2013 at 3:00 a.m. Cause: Lightning Location: Approximately 8 miles NW of Galice. The north part of the fire is within two miles of Winkle Bar on the Rogue River.
VALUES AT RISK: Boaters and campers on the Rogue River, Wild and Scenic River below Grave Creek, economic considerations associated with recreation, Black Bar Lodge (18 structures), Zane Grey Historical Cabin, Marial Lodge, Rogue River Ranch, cultural resources, threatened & endangered species habitat, late successional reserves, fisheries and wildlife.
WEATHER: Predicted NE winds did not materialize but are expected to occur over the fire area around 11 p.m. tonight.
RESOURCES ASSIGNED: 4 Type 1 hotshot crews, 9 Type 2 hand crews, 1 heavy helicopter, 2 light helicopters, 10 engines, 8 dozers and 5 water tenders, 2 camp crews and 123 National Guard members.
SAFETY CONCERNS: Steep and unforgiving terrain, mixing of fire and public traffic (particularly on one-lane roads), variable and unpredictable winds in the river corridor, inactive and active mine shafts, ticks, hazard trees, poison oak, poor air quality, aviation operations, extreme fire behavior, railroad crossings, black bears and cougars.
COOPERATING AGENCIES & PARTNERS: Oregon Department of Forestry, Medford District Bureau of Land Management, Josephine County, Curry County, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, Jackson County, Rural Metro Fire Department.
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