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
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