North Pelican Fire P.M. Update, August 19, 2017

The lightning-caused North Pelican Fire is now estimated at 900 acres with no containment. The fire growth was mostly to the southwest today. Thick smoke around Four Mile Lake did not allow for use of the water scooping, fixed winged aircraft, but a helicopter did provide bucket drops of water to areas of concern today. The fire continues to burn mostly in a remote area on Pelican Butte, which is 28 miles northwest of Klamath Falls.

Fire crews and equipment continue to clear Forest Service roads around the base of Pelican Butte; they are clearing brush from along the sides and removing lower limbs from the trees that could be carrier fuels. Three dozers are working to clear additional roads and build dozer line to the east of Westside Road to be used as a fire break if needed. Firefighters are working hard to extinguish any spot fires that ignite due to airborne embers in advance of the active fire edge.

 

Column from North Pelican Fire, August 19, 2017

Additional fire personnel and equipment arrived at the fire today. More resources are ordered and expected to arrive over the next couple days. With all the wildfires burning in the Western states fire crews and resources are being stretched thin, resources are in route from all over the United States to assist the west with fire suppression efforts.

Smoke from forest fires around central and southern Oregon as well as northern California is impacting the Klamath Basin area. The unusual winds from the north that are responsible for pushing the smoke into the Basin are expected to continue through Sunday. Air quality advisories are available at klamathair.org.

When smoke is visible motorists are encouraged to drive with their headlights on. Please use extreme caution when driving near firefighters and equipment. 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 still being considered to reduce possible conflicts with responders.

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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