File:Chetco Bar Fire - Social 1.jpg

English: Chetco Bar Fire Update

August 25, 2017

Phone: (541) 316-5816, (541) 414-4489, (541) 247-3680, (541) 469-1177 Hours: 6a-10p Email: chetcobarfireinfo@gmail.com Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5385/

The Chetco Bar Fire is 102, 333 acres, there is no containment at this time, 1398 personnel are working to control the fire. The fire is approximately five miles northeast of Brookings, OR.

Yesterday, clear skies allowed aviation resources to drop retardant and water along containment lines on the western and southwestern portions of the fire. Throughout the night handcrews and dozers worked to build direct and indirect containment lines and patrol fire activity near homes.

The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for the Chetco Bar Fire area. Strong, gusty winds (10-15mph with gusts up to 25mph) and low relative humidity are expected this 7 p.m. tonight through Saturday morning 11 a.m. As a result of the persistent winds and low relative humidity, fuels will be drier and prone to ignition from flying embers.

In preparation for the unfavorable weather conditions, known as the “Chetco Effect”, fire managers plan to take advantage of every opportunity to use aviation resources. On the ground, handcrews and dozers will continue building containment lines and providing structural protection throughout the fire area. Preparation efforts are focused in the western and southwestern portion of the fire.

Level 1, 2, and 3 Evacuation Levels are in effect for the Chetco Bar Fire. The Red Cross is operating a shelter at Riley Creek Elementary, 94350 6th St. in Gold Beach, OR. Local residents are encouraged to review the evacuation levels of the Ready, Set, Go Program (wildlandfires.org).

Smoke impacts and haze are expected today along the coast in Gold Beach and Brookings-Harbor. Highway 101 will continue to have limited visibility due to fog and smoke.

Reminder: Hunters and recreationists are reminded to avoid closed areas over the weekend. With your help, we can help our firefighters remained focused on suppression efforts.

The Chetco Bar Fire is operating under a unified command structure including the Oregon State Fire Marshal, U.S. Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry and Coos Forest Protection Association. The team works closely with the Curry County Sheriff's Office, local emergency personnel and cooperators. The unified team recognizes that every home and acre across the landscape has value to the community. The team is working to protect these values.