2021 Devils Knob Complex

10/14/2021

This map shows the current public land closure, fire perimeters and hunting unit boundaries around the Devils K**b Complex. This map is available as a high-resolution pdf file at Inciweb:

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/map/7771/0/127415

click the link at the bottom of the Inciweb map to access the pdf, which can be enlarged.

10/12/2021

The Incident Command Post at Milo Academy is downsizing rapidly. We will be all moved out by the weekend. The community has been very good to us and we appreciate it.

10/11/2021

10/11/2021

The Umpqua National Forest will begin pile burning operations starting tomorrow, October 12. Burning operations will continue throughout the winter as conditions allow.

Piles consist of tree branches, needles, and small logs have been constructed across the forest from timber harvests, fire suppression/repair actions, and hazard tree removal. Burning piles is intended to remove this excess fuel and reduce the risk of uncontrolled wildfires. Pile burning will be conducted by trained wildland firefighters with approval from the Oregon Department of Forestry Smoke Management Office when weather conditions are suitable for smoke dispersal.

We estimate that pile burning operations will cover 1,510 acres, including:
• 450 acres on Cottage Grove Ranger District
• 600 acres on Diamond Lake Ranger District
• 10 acres at the Dorena Genetic Resource Center
• 150 acres on North Umpqua Ranger District
• 300 acres on Tiller Ranger District

If you are out and about in the forest and see smoke, please keep this in mind. For more information, please call us at (541) 957-3200.

10/11/2021

Areas of the Umpqua National Forest remain closed due to the Rough Patch Complex, Devil's K**b Complex, and Jack Fires. You might be wondering why emergency fire closure orders remain in place, considering fire behavior and spread have been minimal due to recent cold and rainy weather. Unfortunately, risks remain that necessitate continued closures.

These hazards include falling trees, rolling rocks, and landslides. Additionally, hand crews and heavy equipment remain in the area working diligently on suppression repair operations.

Please respect all closures for your safety and for the safety of our firefighters. You can read the most recent closure orders at fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices. Thank you for your patience and cooperation!

10/10/2021

Today firefighters had to step back for a short time while roads dry out after this morning's rain. Moving trucks and heavy equipment on wet roads is risky to people and can damage the roads. Over 250 people remain assigned to the complex of fires, working to repair roads, ditches and firelines in preparation for autumn rains. This map shows the progression of the fires, with different colors assigned to individual burning periods. The recent cool, wet weather is keeping the fire in place as wildfire season winds down. See this map in greater detail at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/maps/7771/

10/09/2021

Thanks to successful firefighting and cooler, damper weather, the Umpqua National Forest has reduced the area closure for the Devils K**b Complex, the Rough Patch Complex and the Jack Fire. Please see Inciweb for a higher resolution pdf map.
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/maps/7771/

EMERGENCY FIRE AREA CLOSURE
ORDER AMENDED ON UMPQUA NATIONAL FOREST
AS WEATHER DECREASES FIRE ACTIVITY

ROSEBURG, OR. – October 8th, 2021 – Closure areas within the Umpqua National
Forest and neighboring Willamette National Forest have been diminished in size due to
progress made by Incident Management Teams assigned to local fires, as well as recent
precipitation, lower temperatures and higher humidity. Order No. 06-15-00-21-453
replaces Order No. 06-15-00-21-449 and is effective October 8, 2021 and ending May
9, 2022 unless rescinded sooner. Prohibiting public access to areas still closed is
required for public safety as firefighters utilize direct and indirect suppression tactics
on the Jack Fire, Rough Patch Complex and Devil’s K**b Complex.
This amendment supersedes Order No. 06-15-06-21-449.

PROHIBITIONS:
1. Being upon a closed road. [36 CFR § 261.54 (e)]
2. Going into or being upon an area closed for the protection of public health or
safety. [36 CFR § 261.52 (e)]
3. Being upon a closed trail. [36 CFR § 261.55(a)]
ADDITIONAL RECREATION SITE CLOSURES:
• FSR (Forest Service Road) 27 is closed from White Creek Campground to
FSR 2719
• FSR 2715-950 is closed from FSR 2715-980 to FSR 2715-955
• Canton Creek Campground
• Musick Guard Station
• Cover Campground

EXCEPTIONS TO FOREST CLOSURE:

• The North Umpqua River
• Canton Creek Road (FSR 23) is open from FSR 38 to the Forest boundary
• FSR 4711 is open through the closure area
• Steamboat Ball Field Group Site
• Gravel Bin Boat Launch
• Island Campground
• Horseshoe Bend Campground and Boat Launch
• Eagle Rock Campground
Violations of this prohibition is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an
individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months,
or both (16 USC § 551; 18 USC §§ 3551, 3559, 3571, and 3581).

For the full closure order and map, as well as other updates and announcements for the
Umpqua National Forest, please visit: Umpqua National Forest Alerts and Notifications.

Devils K**b Complex Fires:
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7771
Fire Information: (541) 900-6133 (8:00 to 9:00 p.m.)

Rough Patch Complex and Jack Fire
Inciweb: (Rough Patch Complex) https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7758/
(Jack Fire) https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7605/
Fire Information: (541) 482-1331

For more information, contact the Umpqua National Forest at 541-957-3200.
# # #

10/07/2021

Yesterday evening an infrared detection flight over the Devils K**b Complex confirmed no new growth and only scattered, isolated heat within the perimeters that have held steady for several days.
Find a high-resolution map here: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/map/7771/0/127179

10/06/2021

Deputy Incident Commander Terry Lim and Operations Section Chief, Mike Handley with the Sierra Front Incident Management Team-1, provide this team introduction and current operational update video on the Devil's K**b Complex for October 6, 2021. They report on current suppression repair progress and future activites.

10/04/2021

Crews are continuing to repair hand dug firelines on steep slopes. Here, the Dust Buster Crew 9011 is constructing a waterbar. Waterbars assist in diverting water from fire lines to ensure that soil is not displaced or eroded during periods of heavy precipitation.

10/04/2021

In case you missed it--
A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team is currently making emergency assessments on the Devils K**b Complex. One of the main objectives of their assessments is to identify critical values at risk of additional damage from post-fire weather events and then recommend treatments to minimize the risk that will come within 1-3 years of the fire. Learn more about the scope of their work: