Kitson Fire
Location: 4 miles SE of Oakridge, Lane Co. OR
Specific Location: Kitson Ridge near Hills Creek Reservoir, Lat 43° 40´ 42″ Lon 122° 20´ 50″
Date of Origin: 09/24/2008
Cause: under investigation
Situation as of 10/02/2008 at 8:00 PM
Personnel: 303
Size: 808 acres
Percent contained: 100%
Costs to Date: $3,953,981
Reached containment. Central Oregon Incident Management Team will transfer command of this incident to a Type 3 management team (Poet) tomorrow, Friday, October 3, 2008 at 0630.
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Situation as of 10/01/2008 at 8:00 PM
Personnel: 535
Size: 808 acres
Percent contained: 95%
Costs to Date: $3,608,229
Containment expected today. Demob planned.
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Situation as of 09/30/2008 at 8:00 PM
Personnel: 774
Size: 808 acres
Percent contained: 85%
Costs to Date: $3,188,322
Div. A, B, and C mopped up 300+ feet. Smoldering and creeping with heavy fuels continuing to burn out in the interior. Winds may pick up late evening, 15 mph with gusts to 22 max. Rain late Friday.
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Situation as of 09/29/2008 at 8:00 PM
Personnel: 750
Size: 808 acres
Percent contained: 60%
Costs to Date: $2,663,203
Acreage change is due to more accurate mapping. East winds did not surface(stayed high). Haines 5 on Tuesday. Still hot and dry. Heavy fuels continue to burn out. Areas of low intensity surface fire with intense interior heat.
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Situation as of 09/28/2008 at 8:00 PM
Personnel: 713
Size: 1,000 acres
Percent contained: 40%
Costs to Date: $2,001,510
3/4 acre slopover on Div. Z and spot fire on Div. C. More active fire late today. Creeping, smoldering in closed canopy. Single tree torching in reprod and short range spotting. Low intensity surface fire.
East winds will persist through late Monday. Red Flag Warning 0300 to 2300. Haines 6.
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Situation as of 09/27/2008 at 8:30 PM
Personnel: 616
Size: 1,000 acres
Percent contained: 35%
Costs to Date: $1,383,530
Line completed (but not burned out yet). Will be completed tomorrow (9/28). Heavy fuels continue to burn. Burnouts on Div. Z and C.
East winds predicted for tomorrow and Monday. Peaking AM Monday. Predicted Haines 5 tomorrow and Haines 6 for Monday.
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Situation as of 09/26/2008 at 8:00 PM
Personnel: 516
Size: 1,000 acres
Percent contained: 25%
Costs to Date: $800,691
A public closure order has been issued for the area.
Held existing line with the help of Type I helicopters. Line nearly completed, 1/4 miles of line remaining to be constructed. Started plumbing some sections of Div A & B. An unoccupied vehicle was destroyed by a fire-weakend green trees. No one was near the rig at the time of incident.
East winds projected for Sunday.
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Situation as of 09/25/2008 at 7:00 PM
Personnel: not reported, 100+
Size: 1,000 acres
Percent contained: 45%
Central Oregon Type 2 IMT (Rapp) will be taking over the fire at 0600 hours, 09/26/2008.
Fire Behavior: Flame Lengths: 2-3 feet. ROS: 1-2 chains per hour. Fire behavior was minimal today due to elevated fuel moistures on the fire.
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Situation as of 09/24/2008 at 2:45 PM
Personnel: not reported
Size: 250 acres
Percent contained: 0%
by Ruth
Ruth — From the Willamette NF website:
A fire located on Kitson Ridge southeast of Hills Creek Reservoir grew to 250 acres as of 8 pm Thursday evening. Approximately 45 interagency firefighters are staffing the blaze; helicopter and air tanker retardant drops assisted the ground crews and engines.
Nine crews are coming in to assist in suppression of the fire. The fire is entirely on lands managed by the Willamette National Forest; no structures are threatened at this time. Forest Road 5875 is closed. There have been no injuries.
For more information contact the Middle Fork Ranger District at (541)-782-2283
by Ruth
They are not being very forthcoming with the info on this fire…
From what I can tell, the fire is located on Kitson Ridge, between Bald Butte, Cougar Mountain, Hills Creek and McCredie Hot Springs.
They have closed 2 forest roads 5875 and 23-something. As heard by my friend on the scanner.
The fire is still not contained… the wind is blowing and it’s not raining.
They have be putting in requests for tractors and other equipment…
It is very steep terrain.
If I hear more I’ll let you know.
Please do the same…
-R
Many thanks, Ruth. It’s like Grand Central Station here, so many stories being covered at once. Plus your info is better than any I could obtain at this hour.
The 2302 Road goes from Kitson Hot Springs (at the S end of the Hills Creek arm of the Hills Creek Res) south around Tufti Mtn. to Slapjack Butte. The Google Earth Fire map puts the fire from Tufti Mtn. NE across both sides of Hills Creek and over the top of Cougar Mtn. to within a mile of McCredie Hot Springs on Salt Creek and Hwy 58. At last check (3pm) Hwy 58 was still open according to ODOT.
by Ruth
The latest:
Elaine Bernat
Willamette & Siuslaw National Forests ~ webmanager
ebernat@fs.fed.us
September 25, 2008: 1:30 pm
Kitson Fire: Approximately 1000 acres Southeast of Oakridge, OR
(Eugene) A fire located on Kitson Ridge southeast of Hills Creek Reservoir grew to 1000 acres as of noon on Thursday. Strong westerly winds associated with a weather system that moved through caused the fire to grow overnight. Approximately 250 interagency firefighters are staffing the blaze; helicopters are assisting the ground crews and engines. There is no estimate of containment as of now.
The fire is entirely on lands managed by the Willamette National Forest; no structures are threatened at this time. Visitors are asked to avoid
Forest Road 5875 and the fire area. There have been no injuries. Highway 58 remains open and is not expected to be impacted by the fire.
For more information contact the Middle Fork Ranger District at (541)-782-2283 or on the web at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette/.
by Ruth
Kitson Fire Update 9_28_2008
Incident: Kitson Wildland Fire
Released: 23 hrs. ago
Sunday, September 28, 2008 8:00am
FIRE ACTIVITY SUMMARY: Crews have completed handlines on the 1,000 acre Kitson Butte Fire. Mop-up continued on portions of the fire yesterday, night shift crews patrolled the firelines. Fire crews may encounter increased surface fire spread and isolated torching throughout the day due to drier weather conditions and increased east winds.
Crews will continue with burnout operations, holding existing lines, plumbing and mop-up of the fire today. Burnout operations are expected to be completed by end of shift today. The objective for the burnout and mop-up of firelines were to secure sections of the fire perimeter.
There are no structures threatened. No injuries have been sustained and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The Willamette National Forest has issued an Emergency Road Closure for Public Health and Safety in the Kitson Fire area. Road blocks have been established and visitors are being asked to avoid forest roads in the fire area. Travel on roads within the fire area is hazardous due to falling trees weakened by the fire.
EXPECTED DATE OF CONTAINMENT: Friday, October 3, 2008.
WEATHER: Wind speed is predicted to be 5 miles per hour out of the east. Temperature will reach a high of 80 degrees with a relative humidity of 23.
ROAD CLOSURE: Forest Road 5875 in its entirety and all adjoining spurs. Forest Road 2316 in its entirety and all adjoining spurs. Forest Road 5870 in its entirety arid all adjoining spurs. Forest Road 5854 in its entirety and all adjoining spurs. Forest Road 2300-565 in its entirety and all adjoining spurs. Forest Road 2300-539 in its entirety and all adjoining spurs.
QUICK FACTS:
Acres: approximately 1,000
Containment: 35 %
Location: Six miles east/southeast of Oakridge.
Cause: Under Investigation
Start Date/Time: September 24, 2008 / 2:45 pm
Expected Containment Date: October 3, 2008
Resources: Crews: 4-Type 1, 13-Type 2; Engines: 21; Helicopters: 4-Type 1, 1-Type 2, 1-Type 3; Dozers: 4; Water tenders: 14; Total personnel: 616
by Ruth
As of today:
Kitson Fire Update 9_29_08
Incident: Kitson Wildland Fire
Released: 4 hrs. ago
Kitson Fire Update
Monday, September 29, 2008 8:00am
Fire Information 541-782-1974
Hours 7 am - 9 pm
FIRE ACTIVITY SUMMARY: Firefighters prepare for extreme fire weather on the Kitson Fire. Today’s weather is calling for easterly winds and temperatures into the high 80’s to 90 degrees. Relative humidities will become lower as the day progresses. Crews will continue to improve handlines along the fire perimeter. Mop-up and snag removal continued on portions of the fire yesterday.
The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for the fire area today due to hotter temperatures, low relative humidites and east winds.
Helicopters will be assisting the crews throughout the day supplying water drops to areas of concentrated, intense heat near the fireline. Additional hand crews will be arriving today to reinforce the firefighting operation in preparation for the weather event starting today and continuing through tomorrow. The Central Oregon Team will be assisting the Middle District Fork Ranger District with initial attack resources.
The Willamette National Forest has issued an Emergency Road Closure for Public Health and Safety in the Kitson Fire area. Road blocks have been established and visitors are being asked to avoid forest roads in the fire area. Travel on roads within the fire area is hazardous due to falling trees weakened by the fire.
EXPECTED DATE OF CONTAINMENT: Friday, October 3, 2008.
WEATHER: Wind speed is predicted to be 15 miles per hour with gusts up to 25 out of the east. Temperature will reach a high of 90 degrees with a relative humidity of 10.
ROAD CLOSURE: Forest Road 5875 in its entirety and all adjoining spurs. Forest Road 2316 in its entirety and all adjoining spurs. Forest Road 5870 in its entirety arid all adjoining spurs. Forest Road 5854 in its entirety and all adjoining spurs. Forest Road 2300-565 in its entirety and all adjoining spurs. Forest Road 2300-539 in its entirety and all adjoining spurs.
QUICK FACTS:
Acres: approximately 1,000
Containment: 40 %
Location: Six miles east/southeast of Oakridge.
Cause: Under Investigation
Start Date/Time: September 24, 2008 / 2:45 pm
Expected Containment Date: October 3, 2008
Resources: Crews: 4-Type 1, 15-Type 2; Engines: 21; Helicopters: 4-Type 1, 1-Type 2 & 1-Type 3; Dozers: 4; Water tenders: 18; Total personnel: 713
by Ruth
As of today…
The 1,000 acre Kitson Fire started on September 24, 2008 at 2:45 pm on the Willamette National Forest, Middle Fork Ranger District. The fire is located south east of Oakridge burning on Cougar Mountain located in the Kitson Ridge area. No structures threatened. Fire crews are building and improving dozer and handlines around the perimeter of the fire. The cause is under investigation.
Basic Information
Incident Type Wildland Fire
Cause Under Investigation
Date of Origin Wednesday September 24th, 2008 aprox 02:45 AM
Location 6 miles east/southeast of Oakridge
Incident Commander Mark Rapp
Current Situation
Total Personnel 750
Size 808 acres
Percent Contained 60%
Estimated Containment Date Friday October 03rd, 2008 aprox 12:00 AM
Fuels Involved
Moving into old growth timber (FM 8&10), regeneration units, brush and grass.
Fire Behavior
Heavy fuels continue to burn out. Areas of low intensity surface fire with intense interior heat.
Significant Events
Significant mop-up occured. Division A is mopped-up 300′. Division B at est. 75%. Slopover in Div. Z contained by end of shift.
Outlook
Planed Actions
Hold and improve existing lines. Continue mop-up. Maintain readiness to pick up any spots or slopover that threaten containment lines. Provide IA support to local unit.
Growth Potential
Low
Terrain Difficulty
High
Remarks
Acreage change due to more accurate mapping. East winds did not surface (stayed high). Haines 5 today, still hot and dry.
Weather
Current Wind Conditions 12 mph E
Current Temperature 88 degrees
Current Humidity 15 %
by Ruth
Kitson Fire Update 10/01/08
Incident: Kitson Wildland Fire
Released: 2 hrs. ago
Kitson Fire Update
Wednesday, October 01, 2008 8:00am
Fire Information 541-782-1974
Hours 7 am - 9 pm
mailto:Kitsonfire@gmail.com
FIRE ACTIVITY SUMMARY: Fire officials are confident with the progress made over the past few days; they will be able to hold the dozer and handlines. Mop-up throughout the fire area is close to completion and rehabilitation of secure areas will begin. The team has started the demobilization of some crews and equipment as fire goals and objectives are being met.
The weather will be slightly cooler with decreasing winds out of the southwest which will allow firefighters to complete the mop-up standards set by the Type 2 Incident Fire Management Team and District Resources. Interior islands of fuel will continue to burn within the fire perimeter as the fire creeps around in the forest litter causing some smoke to be visible.
The Willamette National Forest has issued an Emergency Road Closure for Public Health and Safety in the Kitson Fire area. Road blocks have been established and visitors are being asked to avoid forest roads in the fire area. Travel on roads within the fire area is hazardous due to falling trees weakened by the fire.
EXPECTED DATE OF CONTAINMENT: Friday, October 3, 2008.
WEATHER: Wind speed is predicted to be 5-7 miles per hour out of the southwest. Temperature will reach a high of 80 degrees with a relative humidity of 25%.
ROAD CLOSURE: Forest Road 5875 in its entirety and all adjoining spurs. Forest Road 2316 in its entirety and all adjoining spurs. Forest Road 5870 in its entirety arid all adjoining spurs. Forest Road 5854 in its entirety and all adjoining spurs. Forest Road 2300-565 in its entirety and all adjoining spurs. Forest Road 2300-539 in its entirety and all adjoining spurs.
QUICK FACTS:
Acres: approximately 808
Containment: 85 %
Location: Six miles east/southeast of Oakridge.
Cause: Under Investigation
Start Date/Time: September 24, 2008 / 2:45 pm
Expected Containment Date: October 3, 2008
Resources: Crews: 5-Type 1, 18-Type 2; Engines: 21; Helicopters: 1-Type 1, 1-Type 2 & 1-Type 3; Dozers: 3; Water tenders: 19; Total personnel: 774
Does anyone know which way the fire is traveling? Which way the wind is blowing? Is it heading toward or away from Oakridge?
I’m very concerned, this is sooo close to home! And I’m in Eugene at work, I need to know with enough time to go home and get my animals and get out!