Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 2

August 23, 2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : 

Contacts:
ODF: Dennis Turco (541) 664-3328 BLM: Tom Murphy (541) 618-2236 USFS: Mary Marrs (541) 471-6500

QUARTZ FIRE CONTAINED

Central Point, OR: At 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 21st, Oregon Department of Forestry's Fire Team 2 declared the Quartz Fire contained after burning 6,170 acres of private, Bureau of Land Management, and National Forest lands in a twelve-day period. Early projections indicated that the fire could have grown to 22,000 acres raising concerns for fire managers and apprehension for local residents. Tragically, two homes and two outbuildings in the Dog Fork area of Yale Creek were consumed by the blaze with 19 others threatened. 

Extreme burning conditions, poor access, steep terrain, and heavy forest vegetation made fire fighting efforts difficult and dangerous as crews battled the blaze non-stop both day and night. Heavy use of aircraft to support the efforts of ground crews became a necessity. Considering the hazardous conditions, injuries were few and minor - mostly bee stings, heat exhaustion, and sprains. With the worst behind them firefighters can now concentrate on mopping-up remaining hot spots and smoldering stump holes that will lead to control of the fire, expected at 6:00 p.m., Saturday, September 1st.

At peak staffing, 2,300 people were assigned to the fire, 300 of those provided by the Oregon National Guard as a result of Governor Kitzhaber's State of Emergency declaration. As crews gained the upper hand on the Quartz Fire, resources were quickly released to assist the firefighting effort in other parts of the Northwest. Currently 500 firefighters remain. To date, an estimated 10.5 million dollars have been spent suppressing the fire. ###

Quartz Fire Update
August 20, 2001 7 a.m.

Contacts: Tom Berglund, Incident Information Officer
Fire Information Team: Scott Hayes, Bob Wilken, Dennis Turco, Shari Downhill.
Phone: 541-899-8991, or 899-0104

The Quartz Fire has reached 75 percent containment, with full containment
expected by Tuesday at the end of day shift. Firefighting resources are being
released for reassignment to other fires across the region.

· Current acreage - 6,000
· Cost to date - $8.5 million.
· Estimated final cost - $11 million
· Personnel - 2,097, with demobilization in process.
· Equipment - 61 engines; 16 dozers; assigned helicopters are being reduced.
· Infrared flights are continuing at night.
· A public information meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. in
Ruch. Location to be announced.

Road and area closures remain in effect on the Rogue River and Klamath
national forests. The Pacific Crest Trail is closed from Seiad Valley,
California to Callahan's Restaurant, on the Oregon border. For trail detour
information, hikers can call (916) 349-2109.

*This is the last regular press release from the Quartz Fire Information
Team. Subsequent updates will be issued when appropriate.

For updated fire information, call (541) 899-8991. Information can also be
found on the Internet at www.fs.fed.us/r6/rogue.
###

Quartz Fire Update
August 18, 2001 7 p.m.

Contacts: Tom Berglund, Incident Information OfficerFire Information Team: Marti Graham, Scott Hayes, Bob Wilken, Dennis Turco, Mark Moran, Shari Downhill, Mary Marrs.
Phone: 541-899-8991, or 899-0104

As the 5800-acre Quartz Fire moves closer to containment, firefighting personnel and equipment will begin to be released. Demobilization will begin as soon as tomorrow. 

The fire is still 40 percent contained and will be reclassified as established fire line is improved. The estimated date of containment is August 24. Part of the demobilization activity will include removing 35 miles of hose used to fight the fire.

Infrared aircraft flights originating from the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho will continue during night shifts to provide fire managers critical information on fire activity and areas of unburned fuel. The fire’s estimated final size has been decreased further to 6,000 acres. Estimated final cost of the Quartz Fire is $11 million.

The Weather Service is predicting lower temperatures and higher humidity, accompanied by high winds through the end of the week. Precipitation is expected by mid-week.

Working to contain the fire are 2,346 personnel, 10 helicopters, 66 fire engines, 16 dozers, and air tankers when available.

Road and area closures remain in effect on the Rogue River and Klamath national forests. The Pacific Crest Trail is closed from Seiad Valley, California to Callahan’s Restaurant, on the Oregon border. For trail detour information, hikers can call (916) 349-2109.

For updated fire information, call (541) 899-8991. Information can also be found on the Internet at www.fs.fed.us/r6/rogue.

Quartz Fire Update
August 18, 2001 , 9 a.m.

Contacts: Tom Berglund, Incident Information Office
Fire Information Team: Marti Graham, Scott Hayes, Bob Wilken, Dennis Turco, Mark Moran, Shari Downhill, Mary Marrs.
Phone: 541-899-8991, or 899-0104

After nine days of battling the Quartz Fire in Southwest Oregon, firefighters have teamed up with Mother Nature to limit the fire’s size to 5,800 acres of forestland. Incident Commander Greg Gilpin is optimistic the fire can be contained to less than 7,000 acres - significantly less than the 22,000 acres initially projected.

“The reason we’ve been able to stop the fire from reaching 22,000 acres can be attributed in large part to the excellent cooperation of all the agencies, landowners and local community members involved in this fire fighting effort,” Gilpin said.

Crews have finished building handline around the fire’s entire perimeter. The fire is still 40 percent contained. Complete containment is expected by August 20. The Weather Service is predicting lower temperatures and higher humidity, accompanied by high winds through the end of the week which will test the newly completed fire lines. Precipitation is expected by mid-week.

Oregon National Guard troops are joining the firefighting effort this morning. They will be concentrating their mop-up efforts on the northern-most section of the fire. Nearly 300 National Guard firefighters from Portland, Coos Bay, Roseburg and Medford will be led by interagency crew leaders and Oregon National Guard team leaders.

Working to contain the fire are 2,337 personnel, 10 helicopters, 66 fire engines, 16 dozers, and air tankers when available.

Road and area closures remain in effect on the Rogue River and Klamath national forests. The Pacific Crest Trail is closed from Seiad Valley, California to Callahan’s Restaurant, on the Oregon border. For trail detour information, hikers can call (916) 349-2109.

For updated fire information, call (541) 899-8991. Information can also be found on the Internet at www.fs.fed.us/r6/rogue.

Quartz Fire Update
August 17th, 2001 
9:45 p.m.

Contacts: Tom Berglund, Incident Information Officer
Fire Information Team: Marti Graham, Jess Webb, Scott Hayes, Bob Wilken, Dennis Turco, Mark Moran, Mark Thompson, Shari Downhill, Jeanne Klein, Tom Lupes.
Phone: 541-899-8991, or 899-0104

After nine days of battling the Quartz Fire in Southwest Oregon, firefighters have teamed up with Mother Nature to limit the fire's size to 5,800 acres of forestland. Incident Commander Greg Gilpin is fairly optimistic the fire can be contained to less than 9,000 acres -- significantly less than the 22,000 acres initially projected.

"The reason we've been able to stop the fire from reaching 22,000 acres can be attributed in large part to the excellent cooperation of all the agencies, landowners and local community members involved in this fire fighting effort," Gilpin said.

By the end of tomorrow's shift, fire lines should be completed around the perimeter of the fire. The Weather Service is predicting lower temperatures and higher humidity, but along with that, they also predict high winds through the week-end, which will test the newly completed fire lines.

Oregon National Guard troops will join the firefighting effort beginning tomorrow morning. They will be concentrating their mop-up efforts on the northern-most portion of the fire. Nearly 300 National Guard firefighters from Portland, Coos Bay, Roseburg and Medford will be led by interagency crew leaders and Oregon National Guard Reserve team leaders. 

Working to contain the fire are 2,215 personnel, 10 helicopters, 66 fire engines, 16 dozers, and air tankers when available.

Road and area closures remain in effect on the Rogue River and Klamath national forests. The Pacific Crest Trail is closed from Seiad Valley, California to Callahan's Restaurant, on the Oregon border. For trail detour information, hikers can call (916) 349-2109.

For updated fire information, call (541) 899-8991. Information can also be found on the Internet at www.fs.fed.us/r6/rogue.

Quartz Fire Update
August 17th, 2001
8:00 a.m.

Contacts: Tom Berglund, Incident Information Officer
Fire Information Team: Marti Graham, Jess Webb, Scott Hayes, Bob Wilken, Dennis Turco, Mark Moran, Mark Thompson, Shari Downhill, Mary Marrs
Phone: 541-899-8991, or 899-0104 

The number of firefighters on the 5600-acre Quartz Fire will have grown to over 2,000 by Friday night. Nearly 300 Oregon National Guard troops are expected to arrive Friday, comprising 12 crews plus support staff. The soldiers spent Thursday in fire suppression training and will set up camp on Hamilton Road, near Cantrall-Buckley Park in Ruch, Oregon. 

Additional firefighters and fire managers arrived Thursday from New England states, including a total of eight 20-person crews from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maryland, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

The fire is 40 percent contained. Now that a back-up fire line near the Pacific Crest Trail has been finished, firefighting resources are being shifted closer to the head of the fire in an effort to close off any further southern advancement. Lower temperatures and higher humidity have allowed firefighters to complete the fire-line along the west flank of the Quartz Fire, which has been a major objective for the last two days. The fire's east flank has been anchored significantly with no new eastward movement reported.

Although temperatures are expected to dip somewhat, and humidity to increase slightly, higher winds with gusts up to 25 mph mid-slopes and ridge tops have the potential to increase fire activity on Friday and Saturday.

Road and area closures remain in effect on the Rogue River National Forest and the Klamath National Forest.

For updated fire information, call (541) 899-8991. Information can also be found on the Internet at www.fs.fed.us/r6/rogue.

Quartz Fire Update
8/16/01 - 7:30 a.m.

• Acreage: 5600
  Personnel: 1,869 firefighters and equipment operators.
  

• The head of the fire is expected to continue moving south and southeast at a slow to moderate rate of spread through broken and variable terrain and vegetation. Short range spotting is anticipated.
  

• Crews will continue to construct indirect fire line around the head of the fire. Direct fire lines along the north end of the fire are being reinforced and patrolled by engines. Contingency lines along the east and west flanks are also being reinforced.
  

• Approximately 20 percent contained. Est. control date of: 9/1/01. Est. final acreage involved: 10,000 acres. Est. final cost of incident: $5.2 million.
  

• Now that the area has become more stable, on the ground reconnaissance revealed 19 residences and 9 outbuilding in the high-risk area. Originally, 9 residences were identified, not including the out buildings. Two residences and one outbuilding have been destroyed.
  

• Fire line has been constructed around 100 percent of the Cinnabar Fire, with 80 percent lined with fire hose. 
  

• Equipment: 10 helicopters, 63 engines, 16 dozers, and air tankers when available.
  

• Threatened resources: Spotted Owl habitat, wet meadows and commercial timber stands.
  

• Road and area closures remain in effect on the Rogue River National Forest.
  

• National Guard troops are arriving to assist in firefighting efforts.
  

Quartz Fire Update
August 15th, 2001 
10:30 p.m.

Contacts: Tom Berglund, Incident Information Officer
Fire Information Team: Marti Graham, Jess Webb, Scott Hayes, Bob Wilken, Dennis Turco, Mark Moran, Mark Thompson, Shari Downhill, Jeanne Klein
Phone: 541-899-8991, or 899-0104

The Quartz Fire in Southwest Oregon consumed an additional 200 acres during the Wednesday burning period, growing to 5,750 acres. Incident Commander Greg Gilpin estimates that 20% of the fire is contained with fire lines that will hold. 

Fire activity today increased when the temperature inversion lifted about noon. The firefighters, organized in nine divisions, continued to work in 90 degree temperatures. In mid-afternoon the fire made a run up extremely steep slopes in the southeast part of the fire, consuming 200 acres of large, dense timber. A 10,000 foot smoke column was reported from aerial observers and the fleet of 10 helicopters which continued to dump 1000 gallon water drops on the fire's perimeter. The run was stopped when the fire reached a flat ridge that had been coated with red fire retardant on Tuesday in anticipation of this activity. The southern edge of the fire is now burning within 1.5 miles of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail.

Crews are expected to connect hand lines with dozer lines on the east flank of the fire north from Dutchman Peak Lookout. Fire Operations Chief Dennis Sifford plans to connect all firelines within the next two days. 

Small spot fires outside constructed fire lines continue to be discovered, followed by immediate aerial water drops and fire trailing. 

Weather is predicted to be hot and dry for the next two days with little change in humidity. Temperatures will be in the 90s. Heat exhaustion continues to be a problem with a few firefighters.

Resources committed to the fire include 1,712 fire fighters, support personnel, and equipment operators. Aircraft and equipment working on the fire includes 10 helicopters, 50 fire engines, 16 dozers, and air tankers.

Road and area closures remain in effect on the Rogue River National Forest and Klamath National Forest.

For updated fire information, call (541) 899-8991. 

Information can also be found on the Internet at

.

Quartz Fire Update
August 15, 2001, 6:30 a.m.

Contacts:Tom Berglund, Incident Information Officer
Fire Information Team: Marti Graham, Jess Webb, Scott Hayes, Bob Wilken, Dennis Turco, Mark Moran, Mark Thompson, Shari Downhill, Jeanne Klein
Phone: 541-899-8991, or 899-0104

The Quartz Fire in southwest Oregon has consumed approximately 5,500 acres and is burning in a variety of fuels from grass to large, dense timber. Thick brush beneath dense timber stands has added to potential fire growth and advancement. Crews are continuing to build hand line along the east flank of the fire to meet a dozer line being constructed north from Dutchman Peak Lookout. Fire crews are mopping-up near homes and outbuildings in the Dog Fork Area where fire activity is still a threat. 

Today, firefighters will attempt to complete indirect fire line around the head of the Quartz Fire.

Two spot fires were discovered on the northeast flank of the fire early Tuesday across Glade Creek, near the north end of the fire. Crews were immediately shifted to construct fire line. Both were 100 percent contained by mid-afternoon and should be completely mopped up today.

Fire line has been constructed around the entire perimeter of the Cinnabar Fire, which ignited from the same isolated thunderstorm cell, and burned within a mile of the larger Quartz Fire.

Two incidents of heat exhaustion were reported Tuesday, with one firefighter transported to the hospital. A third firefighter was also taken to the hospital with a back injury. A fourth injury involving an ankle scald occurred in fire camp.

Weather is predicted to be hot and dry for the next two days with little change in humidity. Temperatures will be in the 90s.

Governor Kitzhaber has mobilized the National Guard to reinforce fire-fighting resources wherever needed in Oregon. 

Resources committed to the fire include 1,600 fire fighters, support personnel, and equipment operators. Aircraft and equipment working on the fire includes 11 helicopters, 38 fire engines, 14 dozers, and air tankers.

Road and area closures remain in effect on the Rogue River National Forest.

For updated fire information, call (541) 899-8991. Information can also be found on the Internet at www.fs.fed.us/r6/rogue  .

Quartz Fire Update
August 14, 2001  - 7:30 p.m.

• 5500 acres

• Handline construction continues along east flank to meet dozer line near Dutchman Peak

• Two spot fires across Glade Creek, were 100% contained

• Cinnabar Fire 33 acres with line constructed around entire perimeter

• Thompson Creek Fire contained (1/2 mile up Thompson Ck)

• 1600 personnel working on fire

• 11 helicopters, 38 engines, 14 dozers, 57 crews and air tankers

• No additional structures lost, Dog Fork area still threatened

• Road closures remain in effect on Rogue and Klamath Forest

• Website: fs.fed.us/r6/rogue

Quartz Fire Update
August 14th, 2001, 8:00 a.m. 

Contacts: Tom Berglund, Incident Information Officer
Fire Information Team: Marti Graham, Jess Webb, Bob Wilken, Dennis Turco, Mark Moran, Mark Thompson, Mary Marrs 
Phone: 541-899-8991

Crews on the Quartz Fire in southwest Oregon continue to hold ground in the Dog Fork area, protecting more than a dozen homes and outbuildings after the loss of 2 homes and 1 outbuilding. Currently, the Quartz Fire has consumed approximately 5100 acres and is the #1 priority in the nation because of the threat to these structures and other critical resources.

The fire continued to move southeast, and contingency dozer line is being established near the California border. Good progress has been made on the north flank, and lines are being reinforced in some places. However, with continued hot weather and dry fuel conditions, spot fires and erratic fire behavior keep crews busy. There is no estimated date of containment. 

The Quartz Fire management team provided some resources to the nearby Thompson Fire, a recently human-caused fire located 1 mile south of the town of Applegate. The fire is at 8 acres and is located on private and Bureau of Land Management land. Quartz Fire Incident Commander Greg Gilpin asks the public to be especially careful during the extreme fire condition. "We need to focus our resources on getting the Quartz Fire under control, and dealing with human-caused fires make this difficult," commented Gilpin.

During last night's informational public meeting, Gilpin said that the community's support to fire fighting efforts was overwhelming. "The Applegate valley citizens have been the most supportive community, and I can't thank them enough!" 

Other facts:

• Up to 1253 personnel, including fire fighters, support personnel, and equipment operators

• Over 1 dozen aircraft, including 11 helicopters with water carrying capacity of 100-1000 gallons and 4 air tankers 

• Website: www.fs.fed.us/r6/rogue for updates & map

• Road and area closure remains in effect on the Rogue River National Forest