Chetco Bar Fire, Aug. 24

Oregon Dept. of Forestry update:  The Chetco Bar Fire is operating with a unified command structure that includes Oregon State Fire Marshal, U.S. Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry and Coos Forest Protection Association. This team continues working with the Curry County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Operations Center. This unified team recognizes that every home and acre across the landscape has value to the community and are working to protect these values. The fire growth was minimal Tuesday, Aug. 22.  The same was expected Wednesday because of favorable weather. The fire is still about 5.2 miles northeast of Brookings. The public is asked to avoid the fire affected area and watch for fire crews and heavy equipment enroute to and from the fire line. Actions: Firefighters made progress Tuesday and overnight, building direct and contingency indirect line on the south and southwestern flank of the fire including establishing dozer line and working around structures to improve defensible space. On Wednesday, fire crews continued to take advantage of the cooler air and higher relative humidity (RH) to improve and extend containment lines and continue to work around structures. Weather: Yesterday’s weather patterns of cooler air and higher relative humidity (RHs) is expected through Thursday, along with the light to moderate afternoon and evening sea breezes. Areas of fog and low clouds in the morning will clear back to the coast by afternoon. One more night of excellent humidity recovery was expected Wednesday night, with a deep marine layer ahead of an approaching weak cold front. Cool high pressure will build into the Pacific Northwest behind this front, presenting another round of gusty north to northeast winds Thursday night into Friday. Onshore flow is expected to return Sunday or Monday, returning to the region’s typical weather. Smoke and haze will continue to be visible along Gold Beach and Brookings-Harbor as there’s little air movement. That is expected to change as soon as the coastal winds pick up in the afternoon. Rogue River valley and Gold Beach will see unhealthy levels throughout the day. Highway 101 will have limited visibility as smoke infiltrates along the coast. For more info about air quality, please visit the Oregon Smoke Blog: http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/  Evacuations: For current information on areas under an evacuation please visit our interactive map at http://arcg.is/1zXWzD. Yesterday, portions of the evacuation area was reduced to a Level 2, allowing residents in the fire affected area from Cape Ferrello Road and Carpenterville Road north to Pistol River and east and west off Carpenterville Road to return to their homes. Residents returning to their homes in Level 2 evacuation areas can obtain re-entry forms at established check points with verifiable proof of residency. Re-entry forms are no longer available at Ray’s Market. The Red Cross is continuing to staff an emergency evacuation shelter at Riley Creek Elementary in Gold Beach 94350 6th St. Gold Beach, OR. (541)-600-6068. There is no shelter in Brookings.  Fire at a Glance: Size: 99,944 acres (approx.); Cause: Lightning; Containment: 0%; Total personnel: 1078.