Rattle Fire Update September 27, 2008
Incident: Rattle Wildland Fire
Released: 9/27/2008
Rattle Fire
Fire Information Update
www.inciweb.org/incident/1510 www.fs.fed.us/r6/umpqua
e-mail: rattlefire2008@gmail.com
Contact: Public Information Office (866) 534-9681
Saturday, September 27, 2008 - 8 am PDT Update
FireAcres
% Contained
Cost
Total Personnel
Rattle
18,078
62%
$17,885,672
654
News & Events:
·· With the warmer & drier weather forecast for the next several days, fire activity is expected to increase on the north flank of the fire where the fire is most active. Firefighters have completed all preparations necessary for conducting a burnout operation if needed.
·· Today is a transition day as the Pacific Northwest Team 2 (Hoff) prepares to transfer management of the fire to a Type 3 incident organization (Valentine). The number of resources currently assigned to the incident will remain in place.
·· Public use restrictions on the Umpqua National Forest have been lifted; campfires are allowed at this time. Industrial Fire Precaution is at Level 2. Visit the forest website at www.fs.fed.us/r6/umpqua for additional information.
·· A written summary of the current closure area (roads, trails, campgrounds) is available at http://www.inciweb.org/ under "Rattle Fire".
FIRE STATUS: Yesterday and today, firefighters have been working on a small burnout operation on the north flank of the fire. Crews will continue to monitor the northwest flank of the fire, which is very steep and poses safety threats due to large amounts of falling rock and trees. Crews will focus on mopping up hot spots and patrolling on the west, east and southeast flanks, supported by helicopter water bucket drops. Two heavy helicopters are currently assigned to the incident for additional air support in anticipation of increased fire behavior due to the change in weather.
FIRE FACTS: Started: August 18, 2008 Cause: Lightning Location: Boulder Creek Wilderness Resources: 8 crews, 4 helicopters, 27 engines, 2 dozers, 16 water tenders, and 654 personnel.
SAFETY CONCERNS: Cumulative fatigue, heavy snag component, rolling rocks and logs, potential closure violation, and maintaining situational awareness at all times.
RESOURCE CONCERNS & VALUES AT RISK: Wilderness values, commercial timber, anadramous fish habitat, and cultural resources.
WEATHER: Sunny and dry with maximum temperatures 80-85 degrees on the ridge tops and 65-80 degrees in the canyons. Minimum humidity is 12% on the ridges with south aspects and 20-30% elsewhere. Ridge top winds 5-10 mph gradually becoming NW 10-12 mph in the afternoon. Upcanyon/upvalley winds 5-10 mph. A temperature inversion will persist throughout the day with moderately good smoke ventilation in the afternoon. Saturday night clear and cool with low temps 35-40 degrees except for a thermal belt near 55 degrees along the ridge tops. Humidity recovery to near 70% below 4000 ft. NW wind 10 mph becoming downslope 3-5 mph. Outlook for Sunday is sunny and very dry. Clear and cool at night with highs 80-95 degrees. Lows around 40 degrees with minimum humidity 8 to 15%. Poor nighttime humidity recovery with SW winds 5-10 mph. Extended forecast for Monday sunny and dry. Slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs 80-90 degrees with minimum RH 8-15%. SW winds 5-10 mph.
FIRE BEHAVIOR: Surface fire will be slightly more active than previous days on exposed ridges and south aspect slopes as moisture from last night's humidity recovery (40%) is evaporated from the fine fuels (grasses). Potential short-range spotting is generally less than 1/4 mile, however, spotting may be up to 1/2 mile on exposed ridges and areas with less tree overstory.
COOPERATING AGENCIES & PARTNERS: Dry Creek Community, Toketee Community, Oregon Department of Transportation, Douglas County, Douglas Forest Protective Association, PacifiCorp, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife.
