Bybee Fire Complex Fact Sheet

U.S. Department of the Interior
National Park Service
September 2, 2006

Crater Lake National Park
P.O. Box 7
Crater Lake, OR 97604
541 594-3000 phone
541 594-3010 fax

Information: 541-594-3052  Started:  July 23, 2006
What: Wildland fire use, lightning-caused Current Size: 1600 acres  
Injuries to date: 1  Total Personnel: 114

The Bybee Fire Use Complex is being managed to allow fire to play its natural role in the ecosytem. Preservation of natural processes is a primary mission of the National Park Service. At Crater Lake, fire is an important factor in vegetation and wildlife habitat maintenance and improvement. It is essential in maintaining the natural diversity and structure of park forests, meadows and shrublands. Wildlife such as woodpeckers and elk benefit from the larger meadowlands created by natural wildfires. The fire will be beneficial to the park ecosystem by removing dead wood accumulation and recycling nutrients back into the soil.

Fire Behavior: South to southeast winds led to increased fire activity on the eastern perimeter. Fire activity included backing fire and group torching, with a visible smoke column developing in the afternoon.

Today: Crews will continue patrolling handline on the south and west sides of the fire. The western perimeter of the fire will be closely monitored in order to detect and stop any southwest and westward movement. The fire will be allowed to naturally progress north and eastward. Some smoke is anticipated in the vicinity of the park.

Challenges: Difficult access with a 4+ mile hike one-way.

Weather Forecast: Sunny, with highs in the low to mid 80’s. East winds at 2-4 mph.

Closures: A temporary closure is in place for a ten-mile section of the Pacific Crest Trail between Dutton Creek and Bald Crater Loop trails. Lightning Springs campsites and trail are closed. The fire will continue to be monitored and trails will reopen as soon as conditions allow for safe access.

Restrictions: No fire restrictions are currently in place inside the park.

Saturday, July 16, 2005 8:00 A.M.

Information: 541-594-3052

Website: 

What: Wildfire, lightning-caused Started:  July 23, 2006 
County: Custer/Pueblo Counties  Current Size: Bybee 20 acres; Bald Crater Injuries in last 24 hours: 0 Estimated Cost to Date: $

Remarks: These fires are being managed as wildland fire use fires allowing fire to play its natural role in the ecosytem. Preservation of natural processes is a primary mission of the National Park Service. At Crater Lake fire is an important factor in vegttion and wildlife habitat maintenance and improvement. Fire is essential in maintaining the natural diversity and structure of park forests, meadows and shrublands. A spot fire has ignited off of the Bald Crater fire that will be actively suppressed.

Today: Crews are monitoring the fire behavior and doing ground and aierial reconnaissance.

Challenges: Erratic winds associated with storm cells, steep slopes and broken terrain, lack of natural safety zones, drought-stressed fuels and structure protection needs. Extremely low relative humidity is forecast.

Fire Rehabilitation: As the fire approaches full containment, fire crews address potential erosion concerns associated with fire line construction and dozer lines. Of immediate concern are the impacts of heavy rains. Crews construct diversions such as water bars to limit erosion along fire and dozer lines. On Monday, July 18, a special Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER) Team will examine the Mason Gulch Fire in detail and develop a recovery plan. The BAER team consists of specialists in hydrology, biology and other related resource fields. The plan will be implemented by the San Isabel National Forest.

Restrictions: Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect for the Pike & San Isabel National Forests and Comanche National Grasslands. Campfires will only be allowed in Forest Service developed campgrounds and picnic grounds with manufactured or constructed fire grates and grills. Smoking is allowed only within an enclosed vehicle or building within a developed recreation site or in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. Petroleum fueled stoves, lanterns, or heating devices are allowed on all National Forest lands, provided they meet the fire underwriter’s specifications for safety.

Resources Assigned to Fire: Rocky Mountain Type 1 Incident Management Team, 10 hand crews, 3 engines, 1 dozer, 5 water tenders, and 7 helicopters. Total personnel assigned--515.

Other Cooperating Agencies: Custer and Pueblo County Sheriff and Road and Bridge Departments; Fremont, Lake, Jefferson, Douglas, Otero, El Paso, and Park counties, Colorado State Parks, Colorado State Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and National Park Service.

Resources Assigned to the Fire: In addition to Crater Lake NP, other NPS units, the USDA Forest Service, US Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service are contributing resources to the fire. Resources include fire effects monitors, fire engines, fire use managers, public information officers, fire use modules, operations chief, liaison officer, water tenders, handcrews, ecologist, geographic information systems specialist and logistics. Firestorm contract crew is also assigned to the fire.

Additional Bybee Fire Complex Information: http://www.nps.gov/fire

Smoke Information: http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/burning/wildfires/index.htm