Document text
2 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate NEWS NOW Talent to break ground on new plaza Monday ... Fire caused by unattended fire pit torches east Medford attic ... Police/fire cost explanation doesn't add up ... Talent to break ground on new plaza Monday ... Fire caused by unattended fire pit torches east Medford attic ... Police/fire cost explanation doesn't add up ... NATIONAL CREEK FIRE COMPLEX Higher priority blazes in Northwest pull off crews from Crescent fire Comment By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 25, 2015 at 12:15 PM Updated Aug 25, 2015 at 3:08 PM By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 25, 2015 at 12:15 PM Updated Aug 25, 2015 at 3:08 PM » Social News CRATER LAKE — On Aug. 15, more than 800 firefighters were assigned to the National Creek fire complex burning near Crater Lake. That number has dropped to less than half that this week, to about 343 on Tuesday. Many of those crew members have been reassigned to other more severe wildfires in Washington state and Eastern Oregon.  "We're shifting a lot of resources to other higher priorities," said fire information officer Juanita Wright.  Additional resources continue to be called to blazes around the West, with crews coming from as far away as New Zealand and Australia. Closer to home, 49 pilots from Kingsley Field's 173rd Fighter Wing and 270th Air Traffic Control Squadron in Klamath Falls will join a contingent of 250 total Oregon National Guard members to help with state firefighting efforts, according to the Oregon Military Department.  Additional pilots from Portland's 142nd Fighter Wing in Portland and the Oregon Army National Guard's 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team also make up the firefighting crew. The first group is scheduled to head to the 74,744-acre Canyon Creek fire complex, located south of John Day. "They will assist first responders, initial attack contract crews and fire managers," an Oregon Military Department news release said. Despite the reallocation of some resources, National Creek crews feel good about the progress they continue to make. The Crescent fire, which makes up a majority of the 12,268-acre complex, grew another 1,000 acres Monday night into Tuesday morning, Wright said, though fire lines continue to solidify around it. Containment on the complex remains at 10 percent.  The lightning-sparked Crescent fire and smaller National fire have been burning since at least Aug. 1 near the northeast corner of Crater Lake National Park.  Progress on lines prompted the Monday reopening of Highway 230, which had been closed since Aug. 12. The Oregon Department of Transportation cautioned that the reopening is conditional, and that motorists should still prepare for intermittent delays because of fire activity.  "The fire is still active and depending on wind and fire conditions, it may be closed again," an update from ODOT reads. "Motorists should expect intermittent delays, smoky conditions, and drive with their lights on." The fire continues to move mostly east and is currently burning its way through a section of lodgepole pine.  The park's north entrance remains closed, as do numerous trails inside the boundary. Visitors can still access the facility through the south entrance. "There's no danger to park visitors. Crater Lake remains open," Wright said. Smoke from the fire and others around the region — including Northern California — continues to churn into the Rogue Valley. Medford has seen "unhealthy" air quality the past two days, according to Oregon Department of Environmental Quality data.  Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 25, 2015 at 12:15 PM Updated Aug 25, 2015 at 3:08 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501