North Pelican Fire Update, August 17, 2017

North Pelican Fire, August 17

Fire managers continue to monitor the North Pelican Fire located on Pelican Butte, 28 miles northwest of Klamath Falls, which has grown since yesterday to 100 acres. The fire is burning in very steep rocky terrain, and for safety reasons no firefighters are currently on the ground directly fighting this fire. Though the fire is visible from Highway West 140, it is not near or threatening any structures at this time.

 

Aerial resources dropped water today to cool down the eastern edge of the fire; the planes got their water from Fourmile Lake. The fire is creeping through high elevation subalpine forest and occasionally torching some trees.

The unusual recent north winds are pushing smoke into the Klamath Basin, especially around Agency Lake. North winds are expected to continue through Saturday, then shift to a typical wind pattern from the southwest. Firefighters are evaluating Forest Service road systems to the east and north of the fire along the base of Pelican Butte to use as potential fire line.

No closures are currently in place, however forest users are encouraged to avoid Pelican Butte for eclipse viewing on Monday. A closure of that road is being considered to reduce possible conflicts with responders.

A community meeting is being planned for the Rocky Point area in the near future. Details will be included in an update tomorrow.

South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership is an interagency fire management program that provides comprehensive wildland fire service to south central Oregon and northwest Nevada. The partnership strives to achieve a more efficient, effective and integrated interagency fire management program for all participating agencies on the land administered and protected by each agency.

Participating agencies include: Fremont-Winema National Forest, Lakeview District BLM (Bureau of Land Management), Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Crater Lake National Park and Klamath-Lake District ODF (Oregon Department of Forestry).

For more information, contact Fire Information Officer, Celeste Prescott with the South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership at 907-244-9376 or scofmp.fire.info@gmail.com.

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