SWO Fires (Grants Pass, Joseph, Glendale: camps, shopping center, food)

[PNW-type-gal]

Posted up on the Medford Tribune's website about an hour ago:

Region's fires still growing, despite air attack, officials say

July 30, 2013

The five largest fires burning in southwest Oregon have exploded to an estimated 30,000 acres as firefighters concentrated on an aerial attack before moving in with a large ground assault.

"We're not able to engage the fires on the perimeters in very many places," said Don Ferguson, a firefighter in his 44th fire season. "Perimeter control is at a premium.

"We are flying a lot of retardant and dropping a lot of water," he added. "The retardant and water slows it down and gives you some tactical options."

However, because the forests are bone dry, the fires are explosive, creating deadly threats to firefighters on the ground, said Ferguson.

"The fire behavior is the issue," he said. "The terrain, slope and fuels: they are all lined up. And when you look at the probability of ignition — that means when you have 10 sparks, how many will start a fire — we are pretty close to 100 percent now."

[Steve Pickering]

My Brothers crew is on day three without a break.

[kadylady]

They are setting up a "fire camp" nearby our place. I guess that's where the tents for the firefighters will go up?? I feel a little comfort knowing they'll be close by.

[kadylady]

Originally Posted by Steve Pickering

My Brothers crew is on day three without a break.

Which fire is your brother fighting?

[WolfBoy914]

It's time to bring in the DC10s and 747 and do mid-altitude full water drops, one after another and create a rain-like situation.

Yes, I know about the flooding potential... but that is less than the fire/smoke...

[Steve Pickering]

Originally Posted by Steve Pickering

My Brothers crew is on day three without a break.

Originally Posted by kadylady

Which fire is your brother fighting?

The three-fire Whiskey Complex near Tiller

He is an engine boss with Franco.

[Steve97415]

The weather outlook isn't very promising. The Portland office is issuing a warning for dry-strike thunderstorms along the Coast Range and into the Willamette Valley tonight. There's the potential for even more fires to compete with the ones already burning out of control.

[Steve Pickering]

I guess I'll start unplugging antennas.

[JGC97]

And I'll start doing a rain dance for you guys. The news just keeps worse by the day.

[Steve Pickering]

The month of July was almost rainless. For a soggy state the fire risk is off the charts right now. It will rain and when it does, look out.