Chetco Bar Fire, Aug. 30

Oregon Dept. of Forestry update:  Weather and Fire Behavior: The trend of warm overnight temperatures and poor humidity recovery set the Chetco Bar Fire up for another active fire day on Tuesday. Humidity levels were expected to begin climbing by afternoon. Ridgetop temperatures could reach the 90s. Fire burning in the tops of single trees and groups of trees was anticipated, with the potential for embers to fly up to 0.4 miles ahead of the fire. There is a high potential for large fire growth in areas where wind and terrain align. On Monday: While shading from smoke helped moderate fire activity Monday, it also presented challenges to aerial attack due to poor visibility. In the afternoon, smoke cleared enough that helicopters were able to work the northwest edge of the fire to support of crews and heavy equipment. The most active burning occurred in the Emily Creek drainage, the East Fork of the Pistol River and along the eastern flank in the Kalimiopsis Wilderness. Tuesday: Reported 5% containment is on the fire’s west edge. Crews will continue scouting for and constructing primary and alternate containment lines and setting up hose-lays and water sources to be used in securing those lines. Constructed fireline includes a mix of line directly along the edge of the fire and some that is further from the fire’s edge in strategic locations. Firefighters will scout for and build direct and indirect lines along the north and east perimeter. The risk to the Brookings area has diminished enough that larger structural engines are no longer needed. Chetco Bar Fire’s Unified Command continues to utilize structural task forces that have the smaller engines. Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office is working on a re-engagement plan with local fire departments and districts to be prepared with structural resources should conditions change. Additional structural resources will be demobilized as the threat to structures diminishes. Our mission to protect the community and surrounding area remains the same. 120 National Guard firefighters are coming to assist with mop up operations on the fire’s western perimeter. Evacuations/Closure Information: Residences within parts of the Level 3 evacuation zone starting at the junction of Shady Lane and South Bank Chetco Road east, and including Freeman Rock and Salmon Run Golf Course have been reduced to a Level 2 Evacuation.