Timber Crater 6 Fire Update
July 21, 2018, 9:00 am
NW Incident Management Team (IMT) 9, Brian Goff, Incident Commander
Contact us at: TimberCrater6.2018@gmail.com or 541-238-2084 (GoogleVoice)
Crater Lake National Park, OR: The Timber Crater 6 Fire is being aggressively managed for full suppression, to protect values at risk and the ensure public and firefighter safety. NW Team 9 is implementing a strategic plan to safely suppress the fire while ensuring minimal impact on recreation for park visitors and to preserve the natural beauty for which the park is known.
The Timber Crater 6 Fire now stands at 702 acres and is staffed with 157 firefighters and two helicopters. Yesterday the park deployed a crew of firefighters who rappelled from helicopters onto another fire, the “Timber Crater 8”. The fire was held at one acre and is expected to be fully contained today.
There are many wildfires burning across the Northwest Region. Crater Lake National Park has 13 fires, most small and contained. The forests surrounding the park also have fires, especially in the Rogue-Siskyou National Forest west of the park. Smoke from these fires has been drifting into the Crater Lake National Park, reducing visibility and, at times, lowering air quality. The Timber Crater 6 Fire has produced some smoke, but most of the smoke visitors have experienced is due to predominant wind patterns carrying smoke into the park from other fires. Despite the smoke, Crater Lake National Park still offers many wonderful opportunities for summer fun.
Please respect all park fire restrictions. Campfires are only allowed in designated campfire rings.
Today weather conditions the Crater Lake Park area can produce active fire behavior. Relative humidity will drop to 11 percent and temperatures will be in the 80s. The probability of ignition indicates that a hot ember landing in dry grass or other fuels, has a 76 percent chance of starting a fire in a shaded area, and a 100 percent chance of ignition if fuels are in direct sunlight. No wetting rain is predicted, winds will be mild, blowing from the north, northwest.
These calmer winds may allow firefighters to proceed with planned burning operations on the east flank. This work would aid in containing the fire. NW Team 9 and park managers want to protect Hwy 138. If any temporary closures are necessary along the highway because of smoke or fire operations, they will be coordinated with the Oregon Department of Transportation. Travelers and Park visitors can visit TripCheck.com for current closure information.
An Emergency Forest Closure for portions of the Fremont-Winema National Forest is now in effect. The fire is currently burning in the northeastern corner of Crater Lake National Park approaching the Forest boundary. The closure order will enable the forest to engage in full suppression of the fire, resulting in increased firefighter traffic in the area. The closure order and maps can be viewed at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/
Travelers and visitors should expect to see firefighters and smoke in the days ahead, due to fire operations and the number of active fires in the region; however, it is important to note that there are currently no closures within the Park associated with this year’s fire activity. The importance of visitation and tourism is paramount in park and fire managers planning and operations.
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