Goff Fire Update for Sept. 2, 2012
Incident: Fort Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/2/2012
The community of Seiad Valley, California was successfully defended and the operational priority on the Goff Fire has shifted to the western perimeter, where the potential for fire growth is now the greatest. There will be a warming and drying trend with winds beginning to flow out of the northeast and a potential for increased tree torching on the fire.
WESTERN PERIMETER - There are eight crews using a combination of direct and indirect attack on the western flank of the Goff Fire. These crews are camping near the fireline at the end of each shift on the ridges to the east of Thompson Creek and are logistically supported each day with supplies. This tactic maximizes the work shift by cutting travel time back and forth to the incident command post in Happy Camp. These ground crews are also being operationally supported by helicopters dropping water and fire retardant in strategic locations within the complex terrain as weather and smoke conditions allow. Planning and deployment of equipment for several contingency lines to the west of the fire including Thompson Ridge is also underway.
NORTHERN PERIMETER -The fire continues to hold along the northern perimeter in areas of rock screes within the Red Buttes Wilderness and along the Boundary National Recreation Trail. Helicopters are assisting with this holding effort in the northwest corner of the fire with the goal of keeping the fire south of Applegate Creek. As more resources arrive, they will be deployed to this part of the fire. Further to the north, increased smoke from interior burning in the Hello Fire was observed on Saturday afternoon and will be assessed during a reconaassiance flight today. Crews are also working on a contingency line on the north side of the fire along Forest Road 1040.
SOUTHERN & EASTERN PERIMETERS - Firefighters will continue to patrol the southern and eastern perimeters of the fire.
Closures & Fire Restrictions
Multiple trail closures are in effect including portions of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). A new closure was also issued yesterday for the Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest. Please check the closure information posted on InciWeb at: www.inciweb.org/incident/3117/ , on the Klamath National Forests website at: www.fs.usda.gov/klamath and on the Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in effect.
Goff Fire Summary:
Size: 20, 653 acres, Containment: 16%, Date Started: August 5, 2012, Cause: Lighting Injuries to date: 8, Resources: 12 engines, 19 hand crews, 10 water tenders, 8 helicopters
A smoke advisory has been issued by Siskiyou County - http://www.co.siskiyou.ca.us
The Klamath National Forest is in fire restrictions. Forest visitors are reminded to use care while in the Forest and please check the Forest websites at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/klamath/ or with a Forest Service station for local conditions.
###
