RECON FLIGHTS DETECT MORE LIGHTNING SPARKED FIRES ON THE ROGUE RIVER-SISKIYOU NATIONAL FOREST Medford, OR – Due to improved visibility, aerial reconnaissance flights were able to get off the ground this morning and detected 7 new lightning-caused fires on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. Three new fires are located on the High Cascades Ranger District with four on the Wild Rivers Ranger District were ignited from the lightning activity between 6pm last night and 6am this morning. As of noon today, all 7 confirmed new fires are reported at less than one acre in size. One new fire on the High Cascades is located between 2 contained fires from the August 7 strikes. Resources, including rapellers are currently responding. Crews and Engines are responding to the 4 new fires on Wild Rivers Ranger District, and bucket drops will be used on 2 of those 4 fires. Aerial recon of the Gold Beach and Powers area at the west end of the forest is currently taking place. The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is continually staffing fire lookouts. Additional rapellers are available if needed, as well as smoke jumpers located out of Redding, CA. Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District was hit hard with lighting but most strikes occurred in an area burned during the 2012 Fort Complex Fire and no smokes or fires have been detected. The National Weather Service says the Red Flag Warning for the Rogue River-Siskiyou remains in effect until 11pm PDT this evening for abundant lightning with dry fuels. Even with the advent of wetter thunderstorms, fire danger throughout southwest Oregon remains extreme. Fire officials ask the public to be familiar with current public use restrictions.
Posted on: Fri, 09 Aug 2013 23:18:03 +0000
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