Please see our Oregon Wildfire Roundup post for the latest updates on this fire ...
UPDATE: WEDNESDAY, AUG. 23 ... Activity on the Miller Complex fires -- burning in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest -- were limited yesterday by overall cooler temperatures due to inversion, smoke cover, and higher humidity. These conditions have resulted in good progress with fire containment and mop-up efforts.
The Abney, Creedence, Burnt Peak and Seattle fires continue to be the most active fires within the Complex, though minimal growth is expected on many of these today. Due to the terrain, spread may occur as rolling debris ignites fuels below and leads to associated uphill runs.
The remainder of the fires within the complex are small and in patrol status.
Creedence Fire: Active Fire. 5 % containment. 2,700 acres. Main fire activities are on the north side of the fire as rolling debris move to the bottom of the drainage, igniting other fuels. The behavior on the west side of the fire is similar with limited spread.
Bigelow: 0% containment. Minimal growth is expected with scattered heat throughout the current fire perimeter as interior fuels are consumed. 97 acres.
Burnt Peak Fire: Active Fire. 15% containment. 3,050 acres. The majority of fire activity is limited. There are continued firing operations on the north and south sides with small pockets of growth on the east perimeter predominantly due to rolling debris with associated uphill runs.
Seattle Fire: Active Fire. 25% containment. 1,942 acres. Moderate fire growth occurred on the west and south sides of the fire while the north and east sides are not growing.
Abney Fire: Active Fire. 0% containment. 2,508 acres. Minimal growth is occurring on most of the fire with a few pockets of continued rolling debris and their associated uphill runs. The Abney and Cook Fires have not burned together and are both holding along the drainage line. These fires will continue to be reported separately.
Cook Fire: 0% containment. 998 acres. Similar to the Abney Fire, pockets of the fire have debris rolling down to the drainage and associated uphill runs.
COMMUNITY MEETING: A community meeting for the Applegate Valley Area, Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at 6:00 PM at Applegate Valley District Fire Station, 1095 Upper Applegate Road, Jacksonville, OR.
CLOSURES: The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has closed three areas on the Star Ranger District in support of fire suppression efforts on the Miller Complex. Those closed areas are for the Burnt Creek, Seattle Fire and Abney Fires, and the Creedence Fire. Local residents will be allowed to access their property, please bring proof of residence. For additional information go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts- notices.
WEATHER: Little change in the weather is expected today. The inversion will be around mid-slope during the morning then lift to the ridge tops during the afternoon. Smoke will remain trapped under the inversion and continue to hamper air operations. Mixing will be good above the inversion, but there is not expected to be enough wind to mix out the inversion of the smoke.
UPDATE: TUESDAY, AUG. 22 ... Overall fire activity was limited yesterday by cooling temperatures from the inversion and fewer hours of solar heating due to the eclipse.
The Abney fire, Creedence fire, Burnt Peak fire and Seattle fire continue to be the most active fires within the Miller Complex. They are expected to remain active and spread as rolling, burning debris ignites fuels below and lead to associated uphill runs.
The remainder of the fires within the complex are quiet, and patrolled by aircraft.
Creedence fire: Active Fire. 5 % containment. 2,691 acres. The main fire activity is on east side and is moving towards the bottom of the drainage. The west side of the fire is similar but with limited growth. Plans are to go west and use the road system in the Little Creak area as a contingency line.
Bigelow fire: 0% containment. 97 acres. Minimal growth with scattered heat within the current perimeter. It is boxed in with retardant and holding. There is some interior burning.
Burnt Peak fire: Active Fire. 15% containment. 3,050 acres. The majority of activity is due to heavy fuels and roll-out as the main carrier of fire. On the north, the 1095 road, alsoknown as Palmer Creek Road, as the primary line and is holding. On the south side, small pockets of growth .On the east side there is active burning down to the 1095 road.
Seattle fire: Active Fire. 25% containment. 1,898acres. Dozer line and contingency lines are in place on the west side. At Whiskey Ridge, the fire is backing down to the 1040 road in the area of Applegate Lake.
Abney fire: Active Fire. 0% containment. 2,235 acres. Active fire with slope runs but still within containment lines.
Cook fire: 0% containment. 998 acres.Active fire with slope runs but within constructed containment lines. In the Joe Bar area, structure protection pre-work has been completed in the event it is needed.
COMMUNITY MEETING: A community meeting for the Applegate Valley Area, Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at 6:00 PM at Applegate Valley District Fire Station, 1095 Upper Applegate Road, Jacksonville, OR.
CLOSURES: The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has closed three areas on the Star Ranger District in support of fire suppression efforts on the Miller Complex. Those closed areas are for the Burnt Creek, Seattle Fire and Abney Fires and the Creedence Fire. Local residents will be allowed to access their property, please bring proof of residence. For additional information go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts- notices.
WEATHER: Predicted thunderstorms possible over southern Oregon today, but the majority of thunderstorms are expected to the east of the Miller Complex. Max temperatures 86-90 degrees in valleys and 90 degrees at higher elevations. Humidity for the valleys is predicted to be 22-26% and 26-30% at higher elevations.
ORIGINAL POST: The Abney fire, Creedence fire, Burnt Peak fire and Seattle fire continue to be the most active fires within the Miller Complex. They are expected to remain active and spread as rolling, burning debris ignites fuels below and can lead to associated uphill runs.
The remainder of the fires within the complex are fairly quiet but will continue to creep and smolder throughout the day. Heavy smoke in the area is hampering the use of aircraft.
Creedence fire: Active Fire. 3 % containment. 2,175 ac. 595 ac increase in acreage from yesterday. The Creedence fire continues to move west; O’Brian Creek is serving as the containment line on the north boundary of the fire.
Burnt Peak fire: Active Fire. 15% containment. 1,524 ac. Increase of 24 acres from yesterday. Firing operations were conducted yesterday, working to tie the line to the 1095 road. The fire is backing down slope and into drainages. Dozers are working on the south side of the line near Kinney Creek and are tying the line into the already burned areas.
Seattle fire: Active Fire. 0% containment. 1,237 ac. Increase of acreage of 404 acres from yesterday. The 1040 road is now the eastern boundary of the fire. Crews are conducting direct attack along the south flank of the fire.
Abney fire: Active Fire. 0% containment. 1,535 ac. Increase in acreage of 357 acres from yesterday. New Infrared data shows a 10% increase in size of this fire. The 1040 Road is serving as the control line and the fire is holding. Today crews are working to prepare lines along the 100 series roads running to the N and NE of the fire.
COMMUNITY MEETING: A community meeting for the Applegate Valley Area will be held on Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at 6:00 PM. Location is the Applegate Valley District Fire Station, 1095 Upper Applegate Road, Jacksonville, OR. Central Coast Incident Management Team members will provide a current update on the fires within the Miller Complex and firefighting tactics and strategies being used to fight the fires.
ROAD INFORMATION: Avoid Forest Roads 1040, 1005 (off of Thompson Creek Road), 1020 (off of Thompson Creek Road) and 1095 (also known as Palmer Creek Drive) in the Star Ranger District as fire crews are using them for operations.
WEATHER: It will be a little bit warmer and drier today. Maximum temperatures in the valleys (94-98 degrees) and in the higher elevations, 72-76 degrees. Relative humidity 16-20% in the valleys and 20-24% at higher elevation.
