South Fork Complex Update

Contact:  Fire Information Office        Phone: 1-866-347-0636

http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4042/                                                            
FaceBook Page: South Fork Complex

www.southforkcomplex.blogspot.com                                                                      southforkcomplex@gmail.com

Current Status:
The South Fork Complex is currently managed by Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team 4 (Brian J. Watts).  Firefighters experienced another active fire day on Wednesday as expected.

Firefighters are shifting between three spike camps and the Incident Command Post at Gander Ranch near Seneca.  Spike camps provide for firefighter safety by creating shorter drive times and longer rest periods.  In addition, sleeping the firefighters closer to the fire line allows for extended shifts to take advantage of operational opportunities as they arise.

Murderers Creek South Fire: 

The Murderers Creek South Fire reached two cabins near the Jackass Creek Tree Farm where structure protection proved effective.    The fire also reached Stewart's cabin on the east flank where again structure protection was effective.  Both areas continue to experience active fire behavior.
Containment lines on the west and south flanks of the fire are holding and the fire remains east of the South Fork of the John Day River. 
Firefighters spent much of the day working with fixed wing aircraft to place retardant and helicopters with water bucket drops to limit fire spread to the northwest and east.

Buck Fork Fire: Good progress is being made on completing containment lines on the Buck Fork Fire.  The fire breached the primary containment line near Davis Creek on the north flank, but firefighters were able to contain the spots with the aid of retardant drops from fixed wing aircraft and water bucket drops from helicopters.  The fire remains west of the South Fork John Day River.

Evacuations:  The Grant County Sheriff’s Department has issued a Level 1 Evacuation for the area south of Highway 26, west of 21 Road (Fields Creek) and east of 42 Road (South Fork of the John Day River).
Evacuations are based on a Level 1-2-3 system often referred to as Ready-Set-Go, with Level 1 being the lowest.  At Level 1, residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area and continue to monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information.   This is the time for preparation and precautionary movement of persons with special needs and livestock.

Closures:  
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place and a Fire Closure is in effect for the entire South Fork Complex fire area.  Visit http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4042/ for a complete copy of the closure.

Estimated Acreage:       
Murderers Creek South: 39,531
Buck Fork:                       2,239                
Total:   acres                   41,770
         

Date Started:                     7/31/2014                                                           
Containment:                    25 %                           
Total Personnel:                537                                                                        
Cause:                                Lightning