Oregon Dept. of Forestry update: Weather and Fire Behavior: A “Red Flag” warning has been issued for the Chetco Bar Fire area through Monday. The designation “Red Flag Warning” means “that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. Gusty winds, low humidity or dry, unstable conditions will create the potential,” according to the National Weather Service. For the Chetco Bar Fire area, the warning includes gusty, erratic winds, low relative humidity, particularly at higher elevations, and unstable atmospheric conditions which could lead to fire spreading through the tops of trees and the potential for plume dominated fire growth. Very heavy smoke impacts are expected today in regional communities surrounding the Chetco Bar Fire. For information about smoke and air quality in the Chetco Bar Fire area, visit: https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/2017/ChetcoBar#Overview Sunday: While there was little wind to influence fire growth, aerial support was hindered by poor visibility from the smoke staying in place over the fire area. Most active burning on the fire occurred on the northern portion, with the smoke column reaching 20,000 feet in the Johnson Butte area. There was also active fire in the Tin Cup area and around the East Fork of the Pistol River. Firefighters built and improved both direct and indirect fireline, scouted for opportunities for alternate firelines and improved roads to be used as firelines. They continued with structure protection efforts, including installing and maintaining hoselays, thinning and pulling flammable materials back from homes and structures.
