8/10/2015 National Creek Complex AM Update

Contact:  Public Information Officer: Bob MacGregor

Phone: 603-568-9893

Red Flag Warning from 2:00pm Monday to 1:00am Tuesday for Thunderstorms with Erratic Winds

Summary: The Crescent Fire, in Crater Lake National Park, continued to push to the northeast toward Boundary Springs.  A south to southwest wind pushed spots up to a quarter of a mile ahead of the fire front.  A high probability of thunderstorms in the area will create unpredictable conditions for firefighters on Monday.  Thunderstorms are accompanied by strong winds and downdrafts that have the potential to increase fire spread.  A Type 1 Incident Management Team, that is staffed to manage more complex fire events, has been ordered and will receive an in-briefing from Crater Lake National Park and Rogue River-Siskiyou officials this evening.  Work by crews on the National Fire has limited growth of this fire. A full suppression strategy is being pursued due to the extreme drought conditions resulting from the lack of snow-pack last winter.

Yesterday’s Activity: The Crescent Fire moved rapidly across a lodgepole flat to the northeast before hanging up on a ridge above Boundary Springs.  Four loads of retardant were dropped by tanker planes on the northwest flank of the fire to impede movement.  The Wolf Creek Hot-Shot crew established a good anchor point on the west side of the fire and began working up the southwest side of the Crescent Fire.  Incident helicopters were augmented by ships shared by other fires in dropping water to dampen fire behavior.  Crews continued to use pumps to keep the National Fire within established control lines.  Contingency lines based on the Forest Service road system to the west continued to be widened and improved using dozers, crews and engines. Fire managers met with representatives of the Oregon Department of Transportation and County Officials to plan for potential impacts to local highways or evacuations, if necessary.

Today’s Plans:  Weather forecasters are predicting a high probability of thunderstorms developing over the fire area today.  Thunderstorms should start developing around 1:00 this afternoon.  Some of the storms may be accompanied by hail.  Thunderstorms can create hazardous conditions for firefighters due to accompanying swirling winds and lightning.  The associated lightning can also start new fires and some resources will be assigned to initial attack.  Crews have been made aware of the likelihood of storms and will keep their eyes to the skies this afternoon.  The Wolf Creek Hot-Shot crew will work from the anchor point along the northwest flank of the Crescent Fire while the Lakeview crew will work on the southwest edge.  Helicopters will support the ground troops unless thunderstorm activity makes flying impossible.  The crews on the National Fire will work hard to consolidate their suppression lines. 

Closure:  Crater Lake National Park has closed the Boundary Springs and Bald Crater Loop Trails between the intersections with the Pacific Crest Trail and Highway 230due to potentially hazardous conditions created by the National Creek Complex Fires.  The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is implementing an area closure beginning at the Forest boundary between the Rogue River-Siskiyou and Umpqua Forests on Highway 230 then running south to the Crater Lake National Park Boundary then southerly and westerly along the National Park boundary to a point due east of the Douglas/Jackson County line then west along the County line to Highway 230 then north and easterly to the point of beginning. All Crater Lake National Park facilities and roads remain open and safe to use.

Follow us on at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4463/