Smoke rising over Crater Lake from the Bybee Creek Fire on Monday/NPS
Guests, employees, and residents at Rim Village in Crater Lake National Park in Oregon were told Tuesday afternoon to be ready to evacuate the village and park headquarters if the Bybee Creek Fire burning to the west approaches the village.
"Current or projected threats from the approaching fire indicate that there may be a need to evacuate in the future," a park release said. "Mazama Village and other areas in the park are not affected by this Level 1 notice. Residents and visitors should monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information regarding potential evacuations. This is the time for preparation and precautionary movement of persons with special needs, mobile property, and pets."
The fire was first spotted last Thursday and had "once again became active in the afternoon hours Monday, spotting up towards the Rim Road and into the caldera," according to fire bosses.
Nearly 300 firefighters were battling the flames, which had swept across more than 700 acres as of Monday night. It was only about 10 percent contained. The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
Park officials said that in the case of evacuation, "the park will make every attempt to contact visitors and residents personally. If you are absent from your residence, campsite, or vehicle for more than a short time, please leave a note with your name and a contact telephone number in a door or window (where it can be easily seen)."
Park visitors could look at Crater Lake's Facebook page, website, and Twitter feed (@craterlakenps) for updates. Fire information is also available at park entrance stations and at both visitor centers.
On Monday, West Rim Drive was closed from Discovery Point to North Junction to protect the public as firefighters continued with fire operations. On Tuesday, this road closure was extended east to the intersection of West Rim Drive and Munson Valley Road. The Pacific Crest Trail remains closed from Dutton Creek Camp to the PCT parking lot on North Entrance Road. Rim Trail is closed from Rim Village to North Junction as well.
The scene at Crater Lake on Friday with smoke rising from the Bybee Creek Fire/NPS
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The real fire danger in Rim Village and Park HQ are all the wood shingled roofs which the Historians have called for; once the roof catches fire from hot embers, all is lost especially the historic Watchman Fire LO and CRLA Lodge. Wood shingled roofs are very expensive to maintain especially under heavy loads of snowand ice, and are fine fuels/kindling waiting to be ignited by a few hot embers blowing ahead of the fire front. The so-called "fire retardant" compounds quickly leaches out following heavy rain. NPS Maintenance Budgets will never be adequate over time to maintain these highly flammable roofs. NPS NEEDS to install steel roofs with patterns resembling wood/shake shingles since the steel slick surface allows ice and snow loads to slide off much like the CRLA Park Maintenance Bldg. with a green steel roof. PARK HISTORIANS are not paying for roof replacements nor are they fire ecologists, but they do understand how many historic structureshave perished due to fire !