Winds fan Canyon Creek Fire to nearly 86,000 acres
The 2-week-old Canyon Creek Complex Fire south of John Day exploded in size to nearly 86,000 acres Wednesday in hot, dry, windy weather that posed a continued challenge Thursday.
Infrared mapping Thursday morning showed the fire has burned 85,960 acres, or 134 square miles — a 15 percent increase since Tuesday.
Local fire departments from around Grant County were pressed into duty Wednesday to protect scores of homes in the path of the fire.
The Oregonian reports (http://is.gd/tqS9CE ) that most crews were staffed by volunteers who worked through the night.
Local crews received some help late Wednesday when a task force of engines from agencies around Oregon arrived. The state fire marshal’s office ordered 15 engines and crews from Deschutes, Clackamas and Washington counties.
The Canyon Creek Complex started as two smaller fires ignited by lightning Aug. 12. It has destroyed at least 39 homes and more than 50 barns, shops and other outbuildings.
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The Thursday morning fact sheet update:
Hot, Dry Weather and Winds Increase Fire Activity, Similar Conditions Today
Type of Incident: Wildfire
Cause: Lightning
Date of Origin: August 12, 2015
Location: One mile south of the towns of John Day and Canyon City, Oregon.
Types of Fuel: Timber with brush/grass understory; areas of medium density logging slash.
Structures Threatened: 75
Structures Damaged: 50
Residences Destroyed: 39
Current Size: 85,960 acres
Percent Containment: 44%
Number of Personnel: 715
Types of resources: 2 Type 1 crews, 8 Type 2 crews, 7 helicopters, 67 engines, 14 dozers, 21 water tenders, 11 skidgines
Updates: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4495/
https://www.facebook.com/CanyonCreekFireOregon
Canyon Creek Complex Recent Activities:
Canyon Creek
• Afternoon winds coupled with hot and dry conditions fanned the eastern portion down from Norton Fork to Pine Creek, triggering evacuations. Five heavy air tankers responded quickly and dropped seven to ten loads of retardant near residential areas. The initial large column of smoke, which was visible from John Day and Prairie City, was generated by heavy fire activity and long range spotting north of Indian Creek Butte and then moving down into Pine Creek. Later southwest winds in the valley pushed the fire around the slope to the east and towards Indian Creek. Weather conditions kept the fire very active into the night and early morning, when it finally moderated.
• Upper Pine Creek, Gardner Ranch Lane and Upper Dog Creek south of Little Dog Creek were raised to a Level 3 evacuation. Lower Pine Creek and Dog Creek are in Level 2 evacuation.
• In anticipation of the unstable conditions, firefighters were pre-positioned in strategic locations along the northern section of the fire and in the residential areas of Upper Pine Creek and Upper Dog Creek. They spent the day improving and connecting contingency lines and monitoring the area closely. In the early evening and when work conditions were safe, they provided critical structure protection needs.
• No burnout operations were conducted yesterday.
• Southwest winds along the western and southern fire perimeter the last several days enabled firefighters to locate and extinguish hot spots. That hard work has resulted in 44 percent containment of the Canyon Creek Complex and created more control lines along the southern and western sides of the fire.
• Night operations worked to secure firelines and structures on the northeast flank of the fire.
Jerry’s Draw
• The fire is 100 percent contained, in patrol status. It has been turned back over to the responsible agency—Oregon Department of Forestry. This will be the last information update about the fire unless significant activity occurs.
Planned Actions Include:
Canyon Creek
• The fire will be tested again today due to a local Red Flag Warning for hot and dry conditions and southwest winds up to 20 mph and unstable air mass. Anticipate smoke columns and active fire movement.
• Fire managers intend to be flexible and strategic, using the right resources, at the right time and in the right locations.
• Crews will continue to improve and hold dozer and hand lines along the forest’s northern border and provide protection to residences.
• Air tankers will be used as soon as possible to pre-treat structures in the Indian Creek area. Air tankers will also drop retardant along dozer lines for reinforcement in the Dog Creek area.
• Crews will do fire suppression repair on the western side of the fire, rehabilitating dozer lines, fixing fences and putting in water bars to reduce erosion.
• Oregon Trails Electric Coop continues to restore power to residences along Hwy 395.
Oregon Dept. of Transportation (ODOT): Highway 395 is open for two-way travel. Due to firefighters, equipment and the power company on the road, a pilot car will lead traffic in specific areas between 6 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Anticipate delays.
Grant County Sheriff: The Grant County Sheriff’s Office reminds people to be respectful of private property and to remain on the road unless invited. Trespassing is punishable by law and violators will be prosecuted.
Oregon National Guard: Six twenty-person National Guard squads are contributing to the Canyon Creek Complex fire suppression efforts. Stationed at the Lake Creek Organizational Camp, they are working the western and southern perimeters of the fire, patrolling and securing the control lines and ensuring that hot spots 150 feet in from the line are out.
Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER): A BAER team has been ordered and will begin to conduct a watershed assessment of the area in order to plan rehabilitation of fire lines and mitigate soil erosion.
Weather: A local Red Flag Warning for hot and dry conditions and 15 to 20 mph southwest winds is in effect today.
Air Quality Index: Anticipate varying levels of smoke. For more specific information visit Oregon Smoke Information at http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com.
