North Pelican Fire Update, August 19, 2017

The lightning-caused North Pelican Fire is still estimated at 500 acres with no containment. Smoke in the area yesterday limited the use of aerial resources to get more accurate mapping. The fire is burning mostly in a remote area on Pelican Butte, which is 28 miles northwest of Klamath Falls.

Firefighters continue prepping Forest Service roads along the base of Pelican Butte to use as potential containment lines. The fire is moving in a southeast direction towards Westside Road, which is being prepped as well as proposed firebreaks are being created to the east that run parallel to the road.

Aerial resources are on hand today to assist with slowing the fires progression by dropping water and retardant along the fires edge, if smoke conditions allow. In addition, fire officials hope to get a more accurate fire perimeter via aircraft today.

Over 45 fire personnel are currently assigned to the fire with more resources ordered. 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 the fire suppression efforts.

The South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership Type 3 Team, with Leland Hunter as Incident Commander, is managing the fire from the incident command post at the Harriman Springs Resort and Marina in Rocky Point.

Smoke from forest fires around southern and central 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 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.