Triple-digit heat to make life tough for Oregon fire crews

(Update: Adding return of triple-digit heat; ‘hazardous’ air quality in SW Oregon)

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) – Triple-digit heat returns to southern Oregon this week, making life difficult for crews battling several major wildfires.

The Statesman Journal reports milder temperatures in recent days allowed firefighters to make progress on the Taylor Creek Fire, a blaze west of Grants Pass that has burned more than 62 square miles (nearly 40,000 acres).

That fire – the largest in southern Oregon – is about 40 percent contained. Teams have largely secured the fire’s eastern flank near the most populated areas.

Meanwhile, the state Department of Forestry says a complex of wildfires that have burned nearly 8,900 acres since mid-July in southwestern Oregon is now more than 80 percent contained.

The agency said in a news release Monday that crews using infrared scanners to detect pockets of heat near containment lines are finding fewer hot spots. Extinguishing the remaining the ones is at the top of the agenda for crews on Monday.

No hot spots pose a threat to the fire’s control lines.

The fires known as the Garner Complex are expected to be fully contained by week’s end. The lightning-sparked blazes have cost more than $40 million to fight.

More information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5935/

Air quality in the Rogue Valley worsened this weekend after a change in wind direction pushed more wildfire smoke into the area.

The Mail Tribune reports Medford’s air quality fell to a “hazardous” level and Ashland’s was almost at that level. National Weather Service meteorologist Dan Weygard says the smoke is coming from the Taylor and Klondike fires in Josephine County. Those fires have combined to scorch more than 100 square miles.

Though winds are forecast to be lighter on Monday, they are expected to continue blowing in the same direction.

Weygard says a cold front is expected to move into the area at the end of the week. Until then, expect hot temperatures and more smoke.

He says the silver lining is there are no fire-igniting thunderstorms in the forecast.

Meanwhile, in north-central Oregon, the South Valley Fire southwest of Dufur is now 60 percent contained.

The fire has burned more than 20,026 acres since breaking out last Wednesday and still has 475 firefighting personnel on it, at a total cost so far of $4.23 million.

Here’s Monday’s update on that fire:

As the fire cooled in the southeast portion of the fire, crews were reassigned to work through the night on mopping up hot spots and burning stumps, especially around structures in the north end of the fire. Fire fighters are focused on mopping up 75-150 feet inward from the perimeter of fire. It is estimated that there is approximately 50 miles of fire perimeter. Much of the line is cool, with the heat concentrated north of the Hix and Friend Rd. areas.

The fire meteorologist is predicting hotter and windy conditions later this week. The more heat that fire fighters can extinguish now lessens the threat of the fire rekindling in the future.

Firefighters are seeing “dust or ash devils”. This occurs when solar heating hits the ground and the unstable atmosphere creates a whirlwind. This is a concern to fire fighters as the whirlwind can pick up hot burning embers and carry it over the fire line where a new fire could start outside the perimeter. Today’s weather conditions are such that the probability of ignition is high for a new start. Fire fighters will diligently be watching both sides of the fire line.

Yesterday, resources were diverted from this incident to respond as initial attack on a new fire in Prineville named the Allen Fire. The fire was reported in the early afternoon and reported to be growing quickly. Three fire managers, one 20 person hand crew, two 5 person hand crews, four Type 6 engines, and two water tenders along with two black hawk helicopters were sent. This quick response kept the fire under 30 acres. It is currently 100% lined and in mop-up.

Evacuations and Structures:

Wasco County Sheriff lowered all evacuation areas to Level 1 as of Sunday, August 5 at 5:30 p.m. For details on evacuation orders visit Wasco County Sheriff’s Facebook page. Currently there are no road closures in effect.

There are 212 homes threatened by the fire with 636 people under a Level 1 evacuation. Should the evacuation level change and shelter is needed, the Red Cross is available to provide shelter support to those displaced. Contact them at 1-888-680-1455.

The State Fire Marshal has stated that at least three primary structures and 15 outbuildings have been lost.

More information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6086/