8/8/2014 South Fork ComplexUpdate

Contact:  Fire Information Office                                                                                     Phone: 1-866-347-0636 

http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4042/                                               FaceBook Page: South Fork Complex
www.southforkcomplex.blogspot.com                                                                southforkcomplex@gmail.com

Current Status: The South Fork Complex is currently managed by Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team 4 (Brian J. Watts).  Firefighters experienced another active fire day on Thursday.  The Murderers Creek South and Buck Fork fires have now grown together.  Westerly winds combined with heavy fuels and topography produced increased fire activity yesterday and moved the Buck Fork Fire north and east of the South Fork of the John Day River.  The fire spread further to the east across Deer Creek Flats and joined together with the Murderers Creek South Fire on its southern flank. 

Local terrain and winds then caused the fire to move in a southerly direction crossing Deer Creek Road 24 and progressed just south of Big Baldy Mountain and into Dugout Creek.  Firefighters are now working to reestablish anchor points to build primary dozer containment lines on the southern perimeter. 

Dozer work and retardant were also utilized to strengthen (or reinforce) the 512 Road (west of the South Fork of the John Day River) in anticipation of pinching off the Buck Fork fire's progression to the north.

Firefighters and heavy equipment continue to brush along Road 2150 (Aldrich Mtn. Lookout), the primary containment line along the northern perimeter.  Containment lines on the upper west and east flanks of the fire are holding.  

Evacuations:  Fire managers continue to work with the Grant County Sheriff's Department to identify threatened structures and any needed evacuations.  A Level 1 Evacuation remains in place for the area south of Highway 26, west of 21 Road (Fields Creek) and east of 42 Road (South Fork of the John Day River).  Grant County Sheriff's Department has also issued a Level 1 Evacuation for the area south of Deer Creek and east of the South Fork of the John Day River.

Evacuations are based on a Level 1-2-3 system often referred to as Ready-Set-Go, with Level 1 being the lowest.  At Level 1, residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area and continue to monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information.   This is the time for preparation and precautionary movement of persons with special needs and livestock.

Closures:   A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place and a Fire Closure is in effect for the entire South Fork Complex fire area.  Visit http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4042/ for a complete copy of the closure.

A Fire Information Open House is planned in Dayville, OR on Saturday, August 9, 2014 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. to provide fire information and answer questions about the South Fork Complex. The open house will be held at the Community Hall on Highway 26 in Dayville.

Estimated Acreage:  Murderers Creek South: 41,807        Buck Fork: 7,583        Total: 49,390 acres    

Date Started:             7/31/2014                                            Containment:            25 percent                      

Total Personnel:       575                                                      Cause:                       Lightning