Slater and Devil Fires Update
Saturday, September 26, 2020, 7:30 a.m.
Fire origin: September 8, 2020
South Zone Slater/Devil Fire Info (530) 324-2528; 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.North Zone Slater Fire Info (503) 867-8593; 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
General Fire Info - Wildland Info Center: (458) 206-3043; 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Media Information: (541) 249-5117; 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
North Zone Email: Slaterfirenorth.information@gmail.com
South Zone Email: 2020.Slater@firenet.gov
Website: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7173/
Summary
Fire personnel took advantage of the recent moderating weather conditions to focus on mopping up, improving existing lines, conducting strategic firing operations and constructing line around the perimeter of the fire. Critical fire weather conditions are expected to develop over the weekend and interior fire activity is expected to increase. Creeping and smoldering activity will likely transition to more visible flames and fire behavior.
Slater Fire
Firefighters continue to focus on reducing the wildfire threat to nearby communities and strengthening the control lines around the perimeter of the fire. Structure task forces remain working around communities, monitoring impacted residences and ensuring there are no concerns.
North Zone: Firefighters continue mop up and patrol along the western side of the North Zone. Direct and indirect methods will be used to tie in fire areas that had crossed to the western side of Highway 199. Firing and blacklining will proceed in the Knopki Creek area (east of Highway 199), areas west of Highway 199 and the areas South of Holland Loop along Althouse Creek Road.
South Zone: Direct line construction and road prepping will continue above Thompson Creek and aerial ignitions will be utilized for strategic firing areas on the southeast side of the fire.
Devil Fire: The south edge of the fire has been patrolled, inspected and mopped up from Pacific Crest Trail west, towards Fort Goff Creek. Crews continue to utilize both direct and indirect lines along the north and east sides of the fire. Contingency lines are in place.
Weather: An upper level ridge will bring a rapid warming and drying trend starting today and persisting into early next week. Critical fire weather conditions are expected for Sunday and Monday. The relative humidity will begin to gradually drop today and then drop more drastically Sunday and remain low into Monday. A hot and dry weather pattern is expected for Tuesday through Thursday.
Evacuations
Josephine County Sheriff’s Office is lifting the evacuation status for all residents located on the following road systems including secondary roads: Hwy 199 from mileposts 25 to 34 including connecting county roads, the City of Cave Junction, Rockydale Road from US Hwy 199 to Pinecone Drive, Caves Highway from Cave Junction to the west end of Holland Loop Road. The Sheriff is also downgrading the evacuation level from a Level 2 “Be Set” to a Level 1 “Be Ready” for all residents living on the north side of Caves Highway from the west end of Holland Loop Road to Grayback Road are included in this downgrade. In addition, the evacuation level was downgraded from Level 3 “Go” to Level 2 “Be Set for residents located along US Highway 199 from milepost 37 to the Oregon State line. This includes Elk Creek Road and Dwight Creek Road; Takilma Road from 7000 block to 10000 block Takilma Road, including connecting county roads in that area; and Happy Camp Road including connecting county roads to milepost 3.
All other evacuation levels remain the same. For more information, visit the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office website.Evacuation information is available at 541-474-5305 (11 a.m. – 3 p.m.) or: www.facebook.com/josephinecountyEM, www.co.josephine.or.us/fire, or www.rvem.org.
Siskiyou County evacuation information is available at (530) 841-2900 or online at: www.facebook.com/SiskiyouCountySheriff/
Del Norte County evacuation information is available at (707) 464-7213 or online at:www.facebook.com/DelNorteOfficeOfEmergencyServices and www.preparedelnorte.com/
The small amount of precipitation has not significantly reduced the fire danger. All fuels remain at critically dry levels. Patrols are still finding illegal abandoned campfires. All recreation visitors are reminded campfires are illegal at this time. Closures: The USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region has extended the Regional Order temporarily closing nine national forests in California, including the Six Rivers and Klamath National Forests. This decision will continue to be reviewed daily with changing fire and weather. The entire region is also under emergency fire restrictions. Effective yesterday, portions of both the Wild Rivers Ranger District and Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District have reopened for public entry. Some public land areas remain closed to reduce interference with emergency crews and allow for fire suppression and burned area recovery. Find updated closure orders and maps at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts-notices The Bureau of Land Management Medford District has rescinded public lands closure notices across much of the District. Public lands closures remain in effect near the Slater Fire and the South Obenchain Fire. Maps of the closure areas are available on the Bureau of Land Management's website: www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and- aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions   |
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