Boze and Rainbow Creek Fire Updates 10-4-09
Incident: Boze and Rainbow Creek Wildfire
Released: 10/4/2009
This will be the last update from the Boze and Rainbow Creek Fire Information Center. Future updates will be issued as needed. Fire information will be available on the Inciweb website and provided at the Tiller Ranger District Office in Tiller, OR, at 541-825-3100. Hours are 8 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday. The emergency closure area will remain in effect until safe for public entry.
TILLER, OR - October 4, 2009 - Rehabilitation of constructed fire control lines for the Boze and Rainbow Creek Fires was completed yesterday. Firefighters finished installing water bars, dragging woody materials back on to the lines, and general clean-up of brushy debris created when prepping roads as potential fire line. Remaining resources will now focus on patrolling control lines for smokes and the identification, marking, and felling of hazard trees and snags along the main roads. These roads will need to be cleared of hazards before the closure area can be lifted.
The acreages on both fires remain unchanged: the Boze Fire is estimated at 10,640 acres and the Rainbow Creek Fire at 6,085 acres, for a total of 16,725 acres.
An unseasonably cold low pressure system will move through the area today and will result in gusty winds, showers, and low snow levels. Wetting precipitation is expected in the fire areas from this weather system. Snow levels today will dip to 3500 feet to 4000 feet across the region. The low will move south and east Monday with warmer and drier weather developing mid week. The warmer temperatures could create increased fire activity so smoke columns may be generated. These smokes could be visible for weeks to come, until a season ending event.
Demobilized continued yesterday and 123 personnel remain to manage the fires: 2 crews, 3 engines, 87 overhead, and 1 camp crew. The fire camp at Milo Academy will be dismantled today and the incident command post will be move to the Tiller Ranger District.
The emergency road and area closure remain in place for public and firefighter safety. For a full description and map of the closure area see: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/umpqua/conditions/forest-orders/index.shtml
Hunters and recreationalists are asked to observe the closure area and respect the decisions made by fire managers. Equipment on the roads, firefighters working on or near the roads and trails and burned trees falling, are just a few of the safety hazards that exist in and near the fire area. The largest part of the closure area is around the portions of the fires that do not have established control lines. The closure will be enforced; the publics' cooperation will be greatly appreciated.
Fire season is still in effect and forest visitors should make sure that any campfires are extinguished before leaving.
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