CENTRAL OREGON
FIRE INFORMATION CENTER
6/10/14 9:00 am Morning Update
www.centralorfireinfo.blogspot.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE,
Current Fire Information
Information Phone: 541-550-4888
Progress on the fire went very well yesterday and last night, and fire managers are happy to report that the only remaining unsecured portion of the fire had line completed around it last night. Due to the aggressive mop up operations on the eastern and southern portions of the fire yesterday, firelines were able to hold during the late afternoon winds that developed and lasted throughout the evening. Day shift crews will continue mop up operations deeper interior along the eastern flank of the fire today. On the western flank, line reinforcement and deploying hose lines will be the main focus throughout the day. Smoke conditions should be less than it has been over the last few days, as fuels within containment lines are being consumed and mop up operations are reaching further interior. Although temperatures are forecasted to be a little lower than yesterday, the concern for today will be for increasing winds from the north-northwest this afternoon with gusts up to 20 mph.
With the good progress being made on the fire, structure protection task forces mobilized under the Conflagration Act have been reduced from three to two, and the need for the remaining two task forces will be evaluated throughout the afternoon.
• 6,837 acres consisting of heavy brush and timber
• 250 homes threatened with 50 remaining under Level III Evacuation
• No structures lost or damaged
• 1 Firefighter with a minor leg laceration
• Cause under investigation
• 25% containment
• 6 helicopters, 77 engines, 11 dozers, and 1018 personnel assigned to the fire
• Estimated costs to date- $2.4 million
Evacuation Information
EVACUATION NOTICE LEVELS REMAIN THE SAME AT THIS TIME. They will be reevaluated this morning.
Deschutes County I. T. has produced a link to a map that shows the current Evacuation Notice Levels, Interactive Map: https://maps.deschutes.org/custom/simple/index.html
*This map will be updated with any change in Evacuation Notice Levels.
Fire Cause
On Saturday, June 7th, 2014, two fires which ultimately burned together to form the Two Bulls Fire were reported on Oregon Department of Forestry protected private timber lands west of Bend, and continued to burn through the weekend, forcing the evacuation of several homes.
A joint investigation to locate the origin and cause of the fires is being conducted by a team of investigators from the Oregon State Police, U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Walker Range Fire Protection Association, and Oregon Department of Forestry.
Investigators located the origin of both fires, collected evidence, and have determined that the fires were human caused.
The investigation team is interested in any information members of the public can provide. Please call with any information about activity, individuals, or vehicles seen on Cascade Timberlands in the days leading up to the fire. Cascade Timberlands has added $2,000 for information that leads to a successful conviction.
Anyone with information that could help identify the suspects is asked to contact the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-877-876-TIPS. You can remain anonymous, and you could be eligible for a cash reward
School Closures
At 5:30 PM last night, the Two Bulls Fire incident commander confirmed with Bend-La Pine Schools that the established Level Two evacuation orders - west of Mt. Washington Drive and north of Century Drive – will continue through the night, due to the fire burning in the area.
As a result of these orders, William E. Miller Elementary, Cascade Middle and Summit High schools will remain closed on today as the schools are situated within the Level Two evacuation area.
All other schools will be open as scheduled, including High Desert Middle School. High Desert Middle School is the designated Red Cross shelter site, though at last report there are no residents currently using the shelter. The school will operate in partnership with the shelter tomorrow and into the week, if necessary.
Finals will be rescheduled; students can visit their school’s website for more information.
Schools in Bend, La Pine and Sunriver may have indoor recess this week, as smoke is expected to move back into the area tonight. We will be monitoring outdoor air quality regularly in the days to come and will be consulting with the Air Quality Specialist from the US Forest Service.
Fire Danger
Bend Fire Department, Deschutes County Rural Fire Protection District #2, Oregon Department of Forestry – Prineville/Sisters Unit and Deschutes National Forest are moving to the fire danger level of High officially on Wednesday, June 11th. Deschutes National Forest will be at Industrial Fire Protection Level 2 at the same time. This is due to the projected weather patterns, low fuel moistures and current fire behavior seen on the Two Bulls Fire. Open debris burning has been closed for Bend Fire Dept. and DCRFPD#2 with this increase in fire danger level.
Red Cross Information
As of 5:30 p.m. last night, the Red Cross shelter at High Desert Middle School has closed. Those in need of immediate assistance should call 888-680-1455. The Red Cross is working in collaboration with local and state agencies to remain ready to reopen the shelter should additional evacuations occur, and volunteers will be on standby to respond if the shelter reopens.
Red Cross volunteers will be conducting outreach in and around the Bend today, providing wildfire preparedness information and assistance in downloading the Red Cross Wildfire App.
Area & road closures
The area closure remains in place. Please see the blog for a map. The following road closures remain in place:
• Forest Road 370 North of Todd Lake
• Forest Road 1628
• Forest Roads 590, 605, 480, 113, 110, 377, 900, 1620
• Forest Road 1612
• Forest Road 4606
• Forest Road 4601 W. of Tumalo Creek.
Air Quality Information
Smoke Conditions
Last night between the hours of 10 pm and 1 am smoke levels increased slightly, while remaining in the good air quality category. As of 6 am today smoke conditions are GOOD with very low levels of particulate matter at monitors located in Bend and Sisters. The entire state of Oregon currently has very GOOD air quality.
Weather related to smoke
Today transport winds will veer from NW across the northern zones to northerly across the southern zones. Another upper-level disturbance is forecast to slide across Washington and northern Oregon; increasing the onshore flow and cooling temperatures several degrees. Expect more extensive morning marine clouds across NW Oregon with areas of drizzle along the north coast and possibly the north interior. Otherwise, skies will continue to be mostly sunny. Ventilation conditions will remain good, but brisk NW winds across central Oregon may hamper wildfire fighting efforts and increase smoke levels.
Safety information to protect impacts to you and your health
Drivers may experience smoke impacts on nearby roads. If smoke drifts onto roads, motorists should slow down, turn on headlights, and proceed with care. Due to the Two Bulls wildfire, smoky conditions are expected to persist throughout Deschutes County for an indefinite amount of time. Deschutes County Health Services will continue to communicate to the public the health impact of wildfire smoke inhalation on an ongoing basis until the fires reside.
WHO IS AT HIGHER RISK FROM WILDFIRE SMOKE? People with chronic lung or heart conditions, the elderly, children, and pregnant women have a higher risk of health problems from breathing dense wildfire smoke. People in these risk groups should minimize the impacts of wildfire smoke when it appears or smells the strongest or when DEQ indicates “unhealthy” air conditions by:
• Staying indoors
• Avoiding outdoor activities until air quality improves
• Closing windows and doors, and
• Using air conditioners and filters.
Those suffering from asthma or other respiratory conditions should follow their breathing management plans; keep medications on hand, and contact healthcare providers if necessary. Remember-the longer poor smoke conditions linger, the more likely a person’s health may be affected. Please be prepared and think ahead regarding ordering medications.
Animal Care
The livestock shelter is open at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond, OR as of this morning. As soon as the 3 horses there at this time & a few other animals leave today, that shelter will be closing
Local events
The Sister’s Rodeo will not be affected by the fire. The rodeo is still planned to start Wednesday
Media
Interested media should report to the Incident Command Post located in the field across from 63685 Johnson Road. Public Information Officers will be available for interviews; media is required to check in with Information immediately upon arrival. Media personnel that would like a guided tour of the fire need to arrive with full Nomex, hard hat, and fire shelter; the fire camp does not have enough equipment to accommodate those that do not have this. A media update will be given at 10:00 followed by a media fire tour at 1:00 pm.
Sites for Fire Information
Information Phone at Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center: 541-416-6811
Note: Media please call this number
Information Phone at Joint Information Center: 541-550-4888
Note: This is interagency information for the public related to the fire. Open 9-9
Sheriff’s Emergency Information phone :541-550-4850
Note: This is a recorded line
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/TwoBullsFire, facebook.com/Deschutes.County,
TWITTER: @twobullsfire, @desnatlforest, @deschutescounty, @OchocoNatForest, @CentralORFire, #twobullsfire
INCIWEB: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3889/
BLOG: www.CentralORfireinfo.blogspot.com
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