Deception Complex Fire Update

The Deception Complex grew by 886 acres on Wednesday as the fire in Deception Creek gained energy and momentum in the late afternoon, bringing the overall size of the complex to 1832 acres. The Deception Creek Mobile Home Park, the Middle Fork Ranger Station, and some residents along La Duke Road were temporarily evacuated, but are now at a Level 2 (“be ready to leave”) Evacuation level. Some residents along La Duke Road near Oakridge were advised that they were at a Level 2 Evacuation Level and remain so this morning.

As the fire in Deception Creek moved toward the ridgetop separating it from the homes located near La Duke Road, initial attack forces were moved into position along the road. Pieces of blackened falling debris that had been lifted by the fire into the smoke column were falling among the houses. Some of the falling debris retained heat and ignited a few small spot fires on the hillside above the homes, which were quickly extinguished by the firefighters. No structures were lost.

Heavy air tankers looking like jet airliners – an MD87and an RJ85 – along with a more standard P2V propeller driven airtanker dropped 15,700 gallons of retardant on the expanding fire. The six heavy-lift helicopters were also able to work for part of the day, before being grounded by smoke.  An additional Chinook helicopter and two water-scooping air tankers have also been ordered.

A Structural Protection group has been assigned to the La Duke Road area to further secure the nearby homes.

The smoke column from Deception Creek impacted the local area with dense smoke this morning, but also spread to Bend and Cottage Grove. The Waldo Lake recreation area is reported to be very smoky. Smoky conditions can be expected to continue for several days throughout the area.

Weather conditions will be slightly cooler today, with temperatures in the upper 80’s and relative humidity in the mid- to upper 20’s.  Winds will be from the northwest again today.

Closure Information:

The Umpqua National Forest has closed an area adjacent to the Deception Creek drainage. On the Willamette National Forest, the Middle Fork Ranger District closures remain unchanged.  Check the following web site for details: http://www.fs.usda.gov/willamette/.

Total Acres	% Contained	20-person Crew	Engines	Dozers	Helicopters	Total Personnel
1832	53	24	47	4	6 heavy , 4 medium 3 light	1084