Chetco Bar Fire grows to over 90,000 acres
KALMIOPSIS WILDERNESS — [UPDATE] SAFETY CHECK IN FOR CHETCO BAR FIRE.
The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Service has moved to a Level 3 Industrial Fire Precaution beginning at 12:01 a.m. on August 22nd through October 31st.
The restriction applies to contract, permit holders and those who have permits to cut wood for personal use.
The following is permitted unless indicated:
- Cable yarding - except that gravity operated logging systems employing non-motorized carriages may operate between 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. when all blocks and moving lines are suspended 10 feet above the ground except the line between the carriage and the chokers.
- Power saws - except power saws may be used at loading sites and on tractor/skidder operations between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time
The following are permitted to operate between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. :
- Tractor, skidder, feller-buncher, forwarder, or shovel logging operations where tractors, skidders, or other equipment with a blade capable of constructing fireline are immediately available to quickly reach and effectively attack a fire start;
- Mechanized loading or hauling of any product or material; blasting;
- Welding or cutting of metal; and
- Any other spark emitting operation not specifically mentioned.
[UPDATE] The Curry County Sheriff's Office says, evacuation zones are now two miles from The City of Brooking's city limits.
Additional resources arrived over the weekend after Friday's emergency declaration including 24 guardsmen to help with road closures.
CCSO says, large smoke columns prevented air crew from working much over the weekend that attributed to the fire's rapid spread. About 3,400 residents have been evacuated.
[UPDATE]
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help firefighting and life-saving efforts costs associated with the Chetco Bar Fire.
The authorization provides funding from FEMA to pay 75 percent of the Oregon's firefighting costs for managing. mitigating, and controlling the fire. The grant will not provide assistance to individuals, homeowners, business owners or other structure damages caused by the fire.
[UPDATE]
According to Curry County Sheriff's Office, three homes along Cate Rd (Gardner Ridge area) have been lost due to the fire.
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The Red Cross has set up an emergency evacuation center at Riley Creek Elementary located at 94350 6th Street in Gold Beach. There is no shelter in Brookings.
For Smoke conditions visit the Oregon Smoke Blog here.
Community Meeting will be held on Monday August 21st at Azalea Middle School located at 505 Pacific Ave in Brookings.
Additional safety information:
