August 4, 2017 - Spruce Lake Fire Update

Spruce Lake Fire Update August 4 10:00 am 

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5450/37436/

Spruce Lake Fire Update August 4 10:00 am (pdf 229 kb)

Spruce Lake Fire Makes Another Run, West Rim Road Closed
The Spruce Lake Fire exhibited very active fire behavior yesterday as it continued to spread toward the rim of the caldera at Crater Lake National Park, prompting Park officials to close the West Rim Road and additional trails. The fire is now estimated to be 3,600 acres in size.Firefighters continued to construct containment lines working from the west end of the fire in a flanking action. Helicopter water drops are being used to slow the progression of the fire to allow the crews on the ground the ability to directly attack the fire. Today fire managers will continue to assess their strategy to suppress this fire, using natural barriers and the burn scar from the 2016 Bybee Fire as potential containment opportunities. Seven 20 person hand crews will continue line construction, aided by helicopter water drops. Today’s weather will again be abnormally hot and dry, with afternoon winds gusting to 20 mph. The prolonged hot, dry weather pattern is continuing to influence the progression of the fire. As the days heat up, the fire produces a large smoke plume carrying fire brands that are transported by the prevailing westerly winds, creating spot fires up to a mile in front of the main fire front, and continue that progression on an easterly path. Park visitors are not at risk. Crater Lake National Park and all concessions remain open and welcome visitors. Alternate routes and activities are available to enjoy the Park.Closures within Crater Lake National Park:Road: • West Rim Drive from Munson Valley Road to North JunctionTrail:• Pacific Crest Trail from the intersection of Dutton Creek Trail north to the North Entrance road.• Rim Trail from Discovery Point to North Junction• Boundary Springs Trail• Bald Crater Loop Trail• Bert Creek Trail• Lightning Springs Trail• Discovery Point TrailArea:• Closure on Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest from Crater Lake National Park boundary west to Highway 230 roughly three miles on either side of the Jackson/Douglas County line. For detailed description of the closure area go to: www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou.To view current visual smoke impacts from Rim Village go to: www.nps.gov/crla/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams. To view current air quality data from the Park Headquarters go to: oregonsmoke.blogspot.com

Fire at a Glance
Size: 3,600 acres; 5% Contained
Location: Mostly inside Crater Lake National Park, west of Crater Lake
Cause: Lightning, Natural
Personnel: 197
Resources:
2 Type 1 Hotshot Crew
12 Type 2 Crews
4 Falling units
3 Engines
3 Water Tenders
Aircraft:
1 Type 1 heavy helicopter
1 Type 2 medium helicopters

Closures: A closure of the West Rim Drive, Pacific Crest Trail and other trails have been initiated within Crater Lake National Park. An area closure is in place on Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. Maps are available on Inciweb.

Fire Information sources:
Inciweb Fire Information site:
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5450/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/SCOFMPFIREINFO/
Fire Information
BlanketCreekFireInfo@gmail.com
541-560-3359

The Spruce Lake Fire was discovered on July 29 burning near the western boundary of Crater Lake National Park. Initial attack response included rapellers and additional resources working other fires in the area. Suppression efforts were hampered by persistent high temperatures, unstable atmospheric conditions and poor access. Northwest Incident Management Team 13 began managing the fire on August 1. During this first operational period the fire displayed extreme behavior and made a significant run to the east, spotting up to a mile ahead of the main fire, deeper into the Park. The fire is now estimated to be 2425 acres with additional growth expected as record setting temperatures, low relative humidity and an unstable atmosphere persist.
Trail closures within Crater Lake National Park include:

• Pacific Crest Trail from the intersection of Lightning Springs Trail north to Red Cone Camp
• Bald Crater Loop Trail, from intersection of Pacific Crest Trail to Bert Creek Trail
• Bert Creek Trail