MP 97 Canyonville

MP 97, South Unit, Oregon DOF. One mile south of Canyonville, OR. Timber. Minimal fire behavior.

August 8, 2019 at 8:40 AM

This will be the final formal fire update for the Milepost 97 Fire unless significant change occurs.638

The Milepost 97 Fire started the evening of July 24 at 10:00 p.m. as the result of an abandoned, and illegal, campfire. While firefighters from the Douglas Forest Protective Association and local rural fire districts con-verged on the fire within 15 to 30 minutes, the fire had established itself in an unmanaged forested area covered with overgrown brush and snags; leftovers from the 1987 Canyon Mountain fire that was part of the first Douglas Complex.

The fire would bring with it many complexities: multiple land ownerships including private, state, federal and tribal trust lands; a major power line and natural gas pipeline dissecting the middle of the fire area; a major interstate freeway (I-5) lining the eastern edge of the fire; and three communities directly in the path of the fire.

This was the first large fire of Oregon’s young fire season. It attracted attention from major media markets from Los Angeles to Portland. Three homes within the fire area were evacuated, but survived. More than 550 structures and homes were threatened and within level 1 and 2 evacutiation notifications. After 10 days of intense firefighting with crews, aircraft and equipment, fire officials declared that the fire was completely sur-rounded by hand and equipment constructed line. A few minor burnout operations followed, leaving us where we are today; securing lines, falling hazard trees and mopping up to prevent any further spread. Fires like Milepost 97, that push firefighting resources to their limit early in the summer, are known for burning for months. Not so in this case. Operations tactics, where firefighters took advantage of opportunities, like breaks in the weather, made for a great stop and the savings of thousands of acres of timberland, millions in fire suppression costs, and hundreds of homes and lives.

ODF’s incident management team and its partner, BLM, wish to thank the Canyonville, Azalea and Glendale communities for their support during the fire suppression effort. We would also like to thank the many cooperators that, without their support, the mission would not have been successful.

Finally, the nation will join in unison this week to wish a very special bear happy birthday. To honor Smokey Bear on his 75th, August 9th, let’s all do our part to prevent the next Milepost 97 fire from starting. Fire danger is currently high to extreme across the state. Many activities that could potentially start a fire are either prohibited entirely or restricted. One less spark, whether it be from a campfire, debris burn pile, lawn mower striking a rock, power saw, cigarette, or vehicle idling over dry grass, will make all the difference when protecting forestlands and communities.

August 6, 2019 at 8:52 AM

The Milepost 97 fire, located about 1 mile southeast of Canyonville was reported Wednesday, July 24th at approximately 10:00 p.m. The fire is burning in steep, rocky terrain with limited access. Currently, the Milepost 97 Fire is burning in an old fire scar that originally burned in 1987.

The Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team #3 (IC Smith) has been assigned to the fire to assist the Douglas Forest Protective Association with fire suppression efforts.

August 3, 2019 at 8:21 AM

Firefighters will continue mopping in from the perimeter throughout the week to prevent flare ups and further spread.

August 1, 2019 at 8:01 AM

Firefighters continued to make progress today with fire containment up to 30%. A burnout operation along the southeastern edge of the fire was successful, with 100% of the area plumbed with ongoing hazard tree removal and patrols monitoring for spot fires. Total resources assigned to the fire are currently at 1,505 total personnel – 51 hand crews, 17 helicopters (Type 1, 2, and 3) 43 engines, 23 dozers, 31 water tenders.

A community meeting to provide an update on the fire and regional smoke impacts will be held at North Valley highschool on August 1, 2019, at 7:00 p.m.

July 30, 2019 at 9:14 AM

Firefighters have made excellent progress on the Milepost 97 fire. Favorable forecasts provided by the fire’s incident meteorologist came to fruition yesterday allowing crews to establish control lines in several key areas. The continued moderate weather should allow for burn out operations planned for today that will help remove unburned fuel between control lines and the main fire.

Firefighters are focusing much of the suppression effort on the south portion of the fire near I-5 to prevent further spread towards communities. Mop up operations have begun around the north end of the fire to further secure containment lines. Crews and equipment are also continuing to construct contingency control lines along ridges and existing road systems to the west of the fire.

The use of aircraft continues to be effective on much of the fire. Air sup-port helps to cool the fire’s edge so that firefighters can gain closer access. Helicopters and Single Engine Air Tankers, or SEATs, are serving as the primary aviation resources on the fire. SEATs dropped 26 loads of retardant on the fire yesterday for a total of 18,549 gallons.

Cooperators assisting ODF and DFPA on the fire include Roseburg and Medford BLM, the U.S. Forest Service, Cow Creek Tribe, Roseburg Resources, Silver Butte Resources, Lone Rock Timber, Williams Pipeline, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, ODOT, and two Douglas County structure protection task forces.

July 29, 2019 at 7:12 AM

An additional fire division has been established on the east side of I-5 to anticipate any additional spotting across the freeway. Yesterday’s spot fire grew to 20 acres before crews and aircraft could snuff it out.

The fire continues to move primarily in a southerly path, paralleling the freeway. Firefighters and aircraft are focusing much of the suppression effort on this south portion of the fire to prevent further spread towards communities.

Size: 11,009 Acres
Containment: 10%
Start Date: July 24, 2019 10:00pm
Expected Containment Date: Unknown
Location: One mile south of Canyonville, Oregon
Cause: Human Caused
Est. Cost: $3,000,000
Personnel: 1265

Resources:
48 hand crews
41 Engines
45 Dozers
14 Water Tenders

Aircraft:
5 Type 1 Helo
5 Type 2 Helo
3 Type 3 Helo
2 SEATs
Evacuations: Level 2 and Level 1
Structures Threatened: 586
Structures Damaged: 0
Structures Destroyed: 0

Closures: None

July 28, 2019 at 9:31 AM

Strong winds, high temperatures and low humidity contributed to another day of very active fire behavior. Ground crews worked diligently to establish fire line where the terrain and conditions allowed, while being supported by a number of air resources. The fire is burning within a fire scar from 1987 filled with hazardous snags and overgrown brush.

Shifting winds caused the fire to spot across I-5 near the Turkey Creek/Milepost 94 area late this afternoon. Both air and ground crews immediately responded and worked to contain the fires starts.

Crews will continue to work throughout the night to contain the spot fires and search for any additional starts.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s office updated the evacuation levels and areas. The sheriffs’ office issued a Level 2, “Set” evacuation level for all residences on the west side of the freeway between Interstate mileposts 88-83 which includes: Barton Road, Azalea-Glen Road, Old Booth Lane, Harrel Lane, Hobbs Lane, Fortune Branch Road on the Azalea-Glen side, Forrest Road, Realty Road, Quines Creek Road, Mobley Drive.

Additionally, all residences off of Upper Cow Creek Road starting at Interstate 5 milepost 88, east to the base of Galesville Dam are being elevated to a Level 2.

A Level 1 ” Be Ready” notice is also being issued for all residents living on Windy Creek Road at and above Woods Creek Road. Barton Road south to Glendale Junction Road.

A community fire information meeting will take place today, July 28th, at Glendale High School at 7pm.

July 27, 2019 at 5:42 PM

An updated evacuation order from the Douglas County Sheriff’s office was posted at 2:00pm

In conjunction with Milepost 97 Fire managers, the Sheriff’s Office is issuing Level 2 “GET SET” evacuation notices for all residences on the west side of the freeway between Interstate mileposts 88-83. This includes:
Barton Road Azalea-Glen Road Old Booth Lane Harrel Lane Hobbs Lane Fortune Branch Road on the Azalea-Glen side Forrest Road Realty Road Quines Creek Road Mobley Drive. Additionally, all residences off of Upper Cow Creek Road starting at Interstate 5 milepost 88, east to the base of Galesville Dam are being elevated to a Level 2.

Level 2 or “Get Set” means:

• This level indicates significant danger to your area and are encouraged to leave. If you decide to stay, be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice
This may be the only notice you receive if conditions worsen
Supply your “go kit” with all the essentials to last 2 weeks
Stay connected with emergency information and evacuation routes
Begin evacuating large animals.

A Level 1 ” Be Ready” notice is also being issued for all residents living on Windy Creek Road at and above Woods Creek Road. Barton Road south to Glendale Junction Road.

Level 1 “Ready” means:
Be ready for the potential to evacuateHave a “go kit” ready

15 helicopters are currently assigned to the fire along with a host of large air tankers and smaller single engine air tankers. Close to 900 firefighters are currently assigned to the fire that are split into day and night shift operations.

July 27, 2019 at 10:46 AM

Active fire behavior has been observed again yesterday on the Milepost 97 fire, which is now estimated to be 6,500 acres in size. The majority of the fire growth has been to the south / southwest of the original fire and is burning through a mixture of private industrial timberlands, O&C Lands Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, and lands held in trust by the Bureau of Indian Affairs for the Cow Creek Tribe. Both ground and aviation resources are currently engaged on the fire with seven helicopters, two large air tankers and two single engine air tankers supporting firefighters on the ground. Additional aviation resources and ground resources in the form of hand crews, engines, and heavy equipment have been ordered and are enroute to the incident.

The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Incident Management Team 3 arrived in Roseburg this afternoon and were briefed on the status of the Milepost 97 Fire by representatives from the Douglas Forest Protective Association and the Bureau of Land Management. In addition, industrial landowners, tribal representatives, and other local, county, state, and federal agencies were at the in-briefing. ODF IMT 3 assumed command of the Milepost 97 Fire at 6:00 p.m.. The objective set forth for the Incident Management Team is to extinguish the fire at the smallest footprint possible. Safety for the general public and firefighters is always the number one priority.

The Incident Command Post for the Milepost 97 Fire will be established in Tri-City near Pruner Road and Industrial Way. Motorists in the area are asked to drive with caution due to an increase in fire related traffic in the area.

In conjunction with Milepost 97 Fire managers, the Sheriff’s Office is issuing Level 1 “Ready” evacuation notices for all residences on the west side of the freeway between Interstate mileposts 88-83. This includes:

Barton Road

Azalea-Glen Road

Old Booth Lane

Harrel Lane

Hobbs Lane

Fortune Branch Road on the Azalea-Glen side Forrest Road Realty Road Quines Creek Road Mobley Drive Additionally, a Level 1 “Ready” notice is also being issued for all residences off of Upper Cow Creek Road starting at Interstate 5 milepost 88, east to the base of Galesville Dam.

Level 1 “Ready” means:

Be ready for the potential to evacuate

Have a “go kit” ready

Have an evacuation plan for your family and pets Be Firewise and create a defensible space around your home Residents in the area of the fire are urged to monitor official sources for the latest fire information.