Thursday, August 10, 2017

Progress continues on Spruce Lake Fire

Crews are building fire containment lines, moving east toward the Pacific Crest Trail on the north and south boundaries of the fire today. They are installing sprinklers to protect established remote campsites.

On the northeastern flank, the fire has been creeping and smoldering in an area dominated by pumice and sparse vegetation. This light fire behavior can have benefits for that ecosystem of Crater Lake National Park.

Additional resources are working to create defensible space around Crater Lake National Park facilities, campgrounds and infrastructure. This means applying Fire Wise principles by removing debris, dead branches up to 6 feet off the ground and thinning dense stands of saplings, while preserving an attractive landscape. For more information about these strategies, visit www.firewise.org

Thunderstorms are possible again today, with potential for hail, heavy rain, lightning and 35 mph winds. In these hazardous conditions, firefighters must stop work and seek cover until the storm passes.  A Red Flag Warning has again been issued for abundant lightning with dry fuels this afternoon. Although some areas of Klamath and Jackson counties received significant rainWednesday, less than one-tenth of an inch fell in the fire zone.

Today is a management transition day for the Spruce Lake and Blanket Creek fires. Northwest Incident Management Team 13 has reached the end of its two week assignment and would like to thank Prospect and the surrounding communities for their support. A Type 1 Incident Management Team, California 3 will have responsibility for managing these fires starting Friday at 6:00 a.m.

A Level 1 Evacuation Notification to raise awareness of fires in the vicinity continues for the Rim Village and park headquarters.  

Air quality is expected to be “Moderate” in Crater Lake National Park today due to smoke.  Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing heavy outdoor exertion.  To view current air quality data from a smoke monitor located at park headquarters go to: www.oregonsmoke.blogspot.com.  To see the current view from four locations at Crater Lake National Park, go to: www.craterlakelodges.com/webcam/.

West Rim Road and several trails are closed until further notice for the safety of visitors and firefighters.  Affected trails are: a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail from the south park boundary to Highway 62, and from the intersection of the Dutton Creek Trail north to the North Entrance Road; Union Peak Trail; Stuart Falls Trail; Pumice Flat Trail; Boundary Springs Trail; Bald Crater Loop Trail; Bert Creek Trail; Discovery Point Trail; Lightning Springs Trail; and the Rim Trail, from Discovery Point to North Junction.
An area west of the fire on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is also closed to reduce the exposure to risk for fire personnel and the public.  See: https://tinyurl.com/SpruceLakeFire 

Fire at a Glance
Size: 4,734 acres; 31% Contained
Location: Mostly inside Crater Lake National Park, west of Crater Lake
Cause: Lightning, Natural
Personnel: 384 
Resources:
 2 Type 1 Hotshot Crews
13 Type 2 Crews
 8 Falling units
 4 Engines    1 Dozer  
Aircraft shared With Blanket Creek Fire:
4 Type 1 heavy helicopters
2 Type 2 medium helicopters
1 Type 3 light helicopter
Closures:  A closure of the West Rim Drive, a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail and other trails has been issued within Crater Lake National Park. An area closure is in place on Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.  Maps are available on Inciweb.

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