CALIFORNIA

incident: Orleans Complex Wildfire
Released: 2000 Hours PDT

Fire crews readying their gear before heading out to the fireline.

BUTLER FIRE

Butler Fire Information (530) 618-2101 Salmon River Complex Fire (530) 841-4451

Health Advisory:

The North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District (NCUAQM) continues to extend their smoke advisory for Del Norte, Humboldt and Trinity Counties, noting that there are separate advisories for Forks of Salmon, Klamath Glen, Orleans and Weitchpec. For further information call the 24 hour Air Quality Advisory Information at 1-866-BURN-DAY or check the district’s website at www.ncuaqmd.org.

On Sun, Aug 11 crews were able to hold the fire at Butler Creek with support from aircraft.

Detected: Wednesday, July 31, 10:00 p.m.

Cause: Under Investigation

Fuels: Timber and Brush

Estimated Size: 8,705

Containment: 20%

Committed Resources: Approximately 1,108

Structures Damaged or Destroyed: 0

Butler Fire smoke column from the western line, August 10.

Closures:

The following closures are in effect for the public, excluding residents within the closure area:

Firefighters string fire hose along the handline on a narrow ridgeline.

Going into or being upon National Forest System lands in the area beginning at the intersection of Highways 93 and 96, then continuing south along the boundary of Ukonom Ranger District of the Klamath National Forest where it abuts the boundary of the Six Rivers National Forest, then continuing southeast along the boundary of the Ukonom Ranger District of the Klamath National Forest where it abuts the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, then continuing northeast along the East Fork of Know nothing Creek to the intersection with Highway 93, then continuing northwest along Highway 93 to its intersection with Highway 49, then continuing south/southeast along but not including Forest Route 39 to the intersection with Forest Road 39N58, then continuing northeast along Forest Road 39N58 to its terminus at Timber Camp Trailhead, then continuing northeast from the Timber Camp Trailhead to the Russian Wilderness boundary, then continuing north along the Russian Wilderness boundary to the intersection with the Pacific Crest Trail, then continuing northwest along but not including the Pacific Crest Trail to the intersection with Timothy Gulch, then continuing northwest along Timothy Gulch to the intersection with Wooley Creek, then continuing southwest along Wooley Creek to its intersection with Highway 93 (County Road 2B01), then continuing west along Highway 93 to the starting point, as shown on the attached map.

The Butler Fire on initial attack burns the slope at Tripp Point.

Highway 93 (Forks of Salmon Road) is closed at the Highway 96 intersection and above the Forks of Salmon store. No access to North Fork/Sawyers Bar Road is available at this time.

Summary:

Fire growth increased as the inversion lifted, moving through the Hammel and Nordheimer Creek drainages, and into the Fong Wah Creek drainage. Crews were able to hold the fire at Butler Creek with support from aircraft, while hand crews widened fire line south of Somes Peak and on the northern ridgeline down towards Butler Flat.

Elk move through an area where equipment were staging on the Butler Fire.

Tonight, firefighters plan to use cooler temperatures and higher humidities to light backing fire away from the containment line near Horn Creek Gap as they are able.

Looking through the window of an aircraft, the Butler Fire burns along a timbered ridge.

The weather is expected to return to normal temperatures over the next few days. A helicopter and a strike team of engines from the Butler incident assisted the Six Rivers National Forest with initial attack of new lightning fires from yesterday’s thunderstorms. There will be a public meeting at 6PM tomorrow, August 11, at the Karuk DNR.

Firefighters wrap Orleans Lookout.

Please see http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3577/# for updates and a map of the Orleans Complex.

 ###

OREGON

Incident: Big Windy Complex Wildfire
Released: 2100 Hours PDT

A helicopter works on suppression activities on the Big Windy Complex

The Medford District, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is giving notice that the Rogue River Wild and Scenic Corridor Closure Order, dated July 30, 2013, is hereby rescinded. Public use restrictions are in effect for the following areas.

The Rogue River Wild and Scenic Corridor is open with public use restrictions for the following locations:

  1. Township 34 South, Range 8 West, Sections 1, 2, 5 and 6; Township 34 South, Range 9 West, Section 1, Township 33 South, Range 8 West, Sections 32-35; Township 33 South, Range 9 West, Sections 16-18, 21-23, 26, 35, and 36; and Township 33 South, Range 10 West, Sections 12 and 13.
  2. The trail systems along the Rogue River from Grave Creek to Rogue River Ranch remain closed.
  3. All existing road closures remain in effect.

##

Local guides raft firefighters and equipment down the Rogue River to areas inaccessible by road

Sunday, August 11, 2013 – 2:00 p.m. PDT Fire Status UpdateA previously posted update incorrectly stated that Rainey Falls trail would open. Rainey falls will remain closed for the time being.

Rogue River Use Restrictions

Southwest OR—Starting at 7:00 a.m. on Monday, August 12, 2013, the portion of the Rogue Wild and Scenic River Corridor that has been closed from Grave Creek to Mule Creek due to safety considerations associated with the Big Windy Complex, will be open with restrictions.

Please contact the Smullin Visitor Center at Rand National Historic Site (541-479-3735) or visit their website athttp://www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/rogue/index.php on a daily basis to receive the most current river restrictions, which will be adjusted to reflect the current fire situation.

There is a possibility the river can close again as conditions warrant throughout the remainder of the fire season.

Additional recreation facilities to open at 7:00 a.m. on Monday, August 12:

-The Grave Creek Boat Ramp

-The portion of the Rogue River from Grave Creek to Rogue River Ranch

Source:  Content & Fire Photography – Courtesy of inciweb.org

2013 The NW Fire Blog