Fire Endangers San Francisco Power, Most Of Southern Oregon

A Long Draw Fire worker. Long Draw Fire was a wildfire started by a lightning strike on July 8, 2012 that burned 557,648 acres in southeastern Oregon, Oregon’s largest wildfire since the 1865 Silverton Fire that burned over 1 million acres.

San Francisco’s water and electricity supplies are threated as hundreds of firefighters battle one of California’s worst wildfires while even larger fire complexes cripple Southern Oregon, where tens of thousands of acres have burned, thousands of firefighters have battled for four weeks, evacuations are in place, roads are closed, and smoke is so dangerous, clean air respite centers have been established. 

Rim Fire 

California Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in San Francisco due to the blaze known as the Rim Fire.

The Rim Fire is seriously threatening power lines to the city and to a key reservoir, Hetch Hetchy, that supplies 85% of the water to 2.6 million people.

Today, the fire is only four miles away from Hetch Hetchy. 

The 2,800 battling firefighters have gained little ground in slowing the now 225-square-mile fire.

It is only 7% contained, according to officials.

Meanwhile, much larger fires in southern Oregon are historic, but receiving much less media attention.

Southern Oregon infernos over thousands of acres

Evacuations and uncontained fires in southern Oregon continue for the fourth week in what officials had said was due to be the worst in the nation’s history and would probably last until Christmas time. 

The Oregon fires are comprised of five complexes, the worst being near Grant’s Pass, Medford, and north of the Rogue River.

The Big Windy Complex fire has burned 23,829 acres and is only 35% contained. A small amount of rain that fell Thursday hampered burnout operations in most areas Sunday. Crews worked to further strengthen and secure containment lines.

Big Windy Evacuations include a Level 2 north of the Rogue River and south of Marial Byway with a Level 1 evacuation in the Galice area and west. 

Closures include: Grave Creek to Marial Back Country Byway, which includes Mt. Reuben Road (34-8-1 Road), 32-8-31 Road, a portion of the 32-8-9.2 Road, and the Marial Access Road (32-9-14.2).

Bear Camp Road (BLM # 34-8-36 and Forest Service #23) is officially closed.

The Salmon Complex Fire, a newer and equally threatening one, has already burned 14,377 acres and is only 95% contained.

A community meeting will be held tonight at Sawyer’s Bar at 5:00 p.m. at the Salmon River Restoration Council building.

With today’s expected hotter and drier weather, crews are to be on alert for holdover fires from yet more lightning strikes earlier in the week. The Feather River Hot Shots will be working in Jackass Gulch today as the fire slowly backs down the east side. Mop up, patrol, and structure protection work will continue. Full containment is expected by August 25.

An Evacuation Advisory for the Sawyers Bar, Idlewild and Mule Bridge area is still in place. Deer hunters are reminded a Forest Closure Order is in effect around the Salmon River Complex and Butler Fire on the Klamath and Six Rivers National Forests. Click Here for the full closure order and associated map.

Air quality information for the Corral Complex, Salmon River Complex and Butler fire: http://northcasmoke.blogspot.com.

Clean air respite centers are still available at the Happy Camp Community Resource Center, HUB Communities Resource Center in Montague, Scott Valley Family Resource Center in Fort Jones, Madrone Senior Center at the Yreka Community Center, Mt. Shasta Community Resource Center and Dorris City Hall.

The Labrador Fire Complex has burned 2,023 acres, with no containment percentage reported, and continues burning in inaccessible country 30 miles southwest of Grants Pass. Isolated heat pockets continue to persist around its perimeter.

An Evacuation Level 1 order remains in place for Joesphine County’s Oak Flat community. Level 1 means people should be prepared to evacuate. The Illinois River road remains closed to public use for safety reasons. 

Photo Credit: US Department of Interior