Goff Fire Update for Sept. 5, 2012
Incident: Fort Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/5/2012
FORT COMPLEX FIRE INFORMATION: (530) 493-1514 Fort Complex / Goff Fire Information Update - Wednesday, September 5, 2012
As weather in the area became warmer and winds increased yesterday, firefighters continued to make progress in their efforts to complete additional direct handline.
Handcrews are now working the northernmost fire perimeter and building handline to keep the fire from crossing the Butte Fork of the Applegate River. Firefighters also continue work east of Goff Butte along the Boundary National Recreation Trail to contain the fire in that area.
Firefighters are now camped out in several locations on the fire to maximize available on site work time. Due to the treacherous terrain and amount of time it would take to bring an injured firefighter out from these locations the Incident Management Team has several layers of preparedness in place. Firstly, paramedics are embedded in each area where these crews are working. Secondly, two rapid extraction modules are positioned at trail heads to quickly access crews. These modules consist of EMTs and firefighters with equipment that can more easily transport injured firefighters out from the fireline and receive the necessary care. Finally, a helicopter is located at Hello Helibase. The helicopter can operate 24 hours a day (visibility permitting) and is capable of lifting patients off the ground and transporting them to a medical facility. During a practice exercise the yesterday the helicopter crew was able to fly into the site, insert the paramedic and then pick up the "patient" in ten minutes and 33 seconds.
East winds are expected to increase today which may result in increased fire activity on the west side of the fire. In order to prepare for the expected increase in fire activity, firefighters continue improving and mopping up along completed portions of the fireline. Contingency lines continue to be built and improved on the west side of the Goff Fire.
For the safety of firefighters, residents, and hunters, fire managers need non-emergency individuals to stay out of the fire area. Heavy traffic as well as other hazards such as falling snags, stump holes and rolling rocks can be encountered across the fire area. Drivers are urged to use caution, especially on Highway 96 west of Seiad Valley.
Closures & Fire Restrictions Emergency Closure:
Thompson Creek (18NO1) and Thompson Ridge Road (19NO1) are closed on Klamath National Forest. Multiple trail closures are in effect including portions of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). 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 also in effect. Goff Fire Summary: Size: 21,482 acres, Containment: 24 %, Date Started: August 5, 2012, Cause: Lightning Injuries to date: 8, Resources: 22 engines, 29 hand crews, 16 water tenders, 10 helicopters, 6 dozers
Siskiyou County air quality information: http://www.co.siskiyou.ca.us The Klamath and Rogue River -Siskiyou National Forests are in fire restrictions. Forest visitors are reminded to use care while in the Forest and check the Forests' websites at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/klamath/ or http://www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou with a Forest Service station for local conditions. ###
