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Rum Creek Fire

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Unit Information

Oregon 
Oregon 
Oregon 
Oregon 

Incident Contacts

Public Information
Email: 2022.rumcreek@firenet.gov
Phone: 541-625-0849
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
BLM Grants Pass
Phone: 541-471-6500

Crews continue to focus on suppressions repair work along dozer and hand lines, in an effort to reduce additional impacts on the forest and local watersheds. Water bars have been created and vegetation spread over lines to prevent additional erosion.

All evacuations have been lifted but some recreational area and road closures remain in place as crews continue road repair and hazard tree removal within the burn area. 

The Rum Creek Fire was ignited by lightning on Wednesday, August 17, 2022. 

As the fire increased in complexity and size, a Type 2 incident command team, Northwest Incident Management Team 13 (NWIMT 13), was ordered to assume command on Sunday, August 21. They also took command of the Hog Creek Fire.

On August 26, hot and dry conditions combined with winds to cause significant increases in fire activity and fire spread. As the fire grew, the communities of Rand and Galice became threatened. Teams from the Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office (OSFM) and Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) arrived a unified command was established by NWIMT 13, OSFM and ODF. OSFM resources were primarily engaged in structure protection and evacuation efforts.

The following day, Oregon Governor Kate Brown declared a state of emergency.

On September 6, the Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 6 (NRIMT6) entered into unified command with the Oregon Department of Forestry Team 1 (ODF Team 1).

Critical fire weather conditions continued until September 12 when remnants of tropical storm Kay brought cooler temperatures, higher relative humidity, and rain showers.

By September 16, all evacuations had been lifted from the Rum Creek Fire. Firefighters began to focus on suppression repair to reduce the probability of erosion and debris flows before the winter season.

Sadly, one firefighter lost his life during the initial attack of the Rum Creek Fire. On August 18, Logan Taylor, a 25-year-old firefighter from Talent, Oregon, was struck by a falling tree. He was the operator of Sasquatch Reforestation, an ODF-contracted firefighting company.

 

Basic Information
Current as of Fri, 09/23/2022 - 18:22
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Lightning
Date of Origin
Location Galice, OR
Incident Commander Brandon Kerns Type 3 Incident Management Team
Incident Description Type 3 incident wildfire
Coordinates 42° 38' 26'' Latitude
-123° 37'
42
'' Longitude
Current Situation
Total Personnel: 197
Size 21,347 Acres
Percent of Perimeter Contained 90%
Estimated Containment Date 2022-10-31 00:00:00
Fuels Involved

Mixed conifer and hardwood forest dominated by Douglas-fir, Pacific madrone, ponderosa pine, Oregon
white and black oak, sugar pine and cedar. Moderate to high grass/shrub component. Low to moderate dead/down component. The primary fuel models are high load, timber/shrub (TU5), moderate load, conifer litter (TL3) and low load broadleaf litter (TL2) interspersed with low load grass (GR2).
Herbaceous and live woody fuels are generally green above 2,000 feet. Below 2,000 feet and on exposed aspects herbaceous and live woody fuels are largely cured and will contribute to surface fire spread.

Significant Events

Minimal fire behavior with creeping and smoldering in the heavy fuels and duff. Ongoing suppression efforts and moderate to high humidity, mild temperatures and low winds will limit surface fire activity.

Outlook
Planned Actions

Continue holding, mop up and patrol in all Divisions. Continue backhaul of water handling and other equipment in all Divisions. Recover and account for property during backhaul operations.

Continue rehab/repair of indirect line and unused points. Look for opportunities to complete rehab/repair on primary lines where appropriate.

Projected Incident Activity

12 hours:Minimal fire activity; primarily creeping and smoldering.

24 hours:Minimal fire activity; primarily creeping and smoldering.

48 hours:Continued creeping/smoldering of interior fuels.

72 hours:Continued creeping/smoldering of interior fuels.

Anticipated after 72 hours: Limited surface fire activity with isolated torching/spotting until a season ending event. Fire is expected to remain within established lines for the foreseeable future.

Remarks

Oregon State Governor Kate Brown invoked the Conflagration act for Rum Creek Fire August 26th, 2022.

Current Weather
Weather Concerns

Dry conditions with a warming trend through the weekend, with some slight cooling possible early next week. The warmest days will be Sunday and Monday.

Friday (today): Sunny. Max temperatures 75-85°F. Min humidity 25-30%. North to NE winds 6-8 mph.

Saturday: Sunny. Max temperatures 75-90°F. Min humidity 25-30%. North winds 5-7 mph.

Sunday: Sunny. Max temperatures 80-90°F. Min humidity 25-30%. North to NE winds 3-7 mph.

Monday: Mostly sunny. Max temperatures 80-90°F. Min humidity 25-30% North to NE winds 3-7 mph

Tuesday: Mostly sunny. Lows 50-55°F. Highs 75-85°F.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny. Lows 50-55°F. Highs 70-80°F